All lakes have it 2024

Catt reply :

All lakes have it

Most anglers don't have a clue how to recognize it

Most anglers don't have a clue how make it pay off

It is the bass's home; that irregular features on a lake's bottom that attract bass like a magnet.

Hump Defined: An isolated high spot in a body of water that is shallower on top than the surrounding area; usually a small piece of structure less than 30 yards across.

Hump Logic: Among the best offshore bass structures. The most active bass are usually found on the top of the hump, while less active bass relate to the deeper sides or ends. Humps are most productive during summer and fall, when water levels on most impoundments are at their lowest.

The Best Humps: Productive humps can be among the most difficult forms of structure to find because the best humps are usually the smaller ones, no more than 20-30 yards in diameter. Some may be marked on lake maps, others not. Key ingredients are proper water depth and cover: The ideal hump would be 8-15 feet on top and fall off gradually into deeper water. Humps with sharp breaks are better suited for winter fishing. Isolated patches of cover such as brush, Hydrilla, stumps make it all the more attractive to bass.

Fishing the Hump: One of the best techniques for locating bass is to use a Carolina rig. The key is to pinpoint the cover, once you find the cover switch to a Texas-rig or Jig-N-Craw and fish it vertical, straight up and down in the cover. A vertical presentation reduces the odds of hanging up in the cover and subsequently spooking the fish.

Coming soon Ridges

Bassn Blvd reply :

Informative but why should you use the C-Rig to pinpoint the structure/hump when a depth will work.

slomoe reply :

Great post Catt.

flechero reply :

Another excellent post, Catt! Humps are some of the most productive and underfished locations there are. (and they usually hold bigger fish)

Quote
Informative but why should you use the C-Rig to pinpoint the structure/hump when a depth will work.

You can't pinpoint exactly with a graph... most transducers are between 4 and 24 degrees of cone angle. 20 feet of water at a 20 degree angle and most of the time you'll miss the entire brush pile. Beyond that, you can easily feel the hump's boundries with a c-rig... the slopes, bottom composition and then the cover.

A c-rig allows you to "map" the hump on the surface so you can "see" it's feature's locations.

The graph gets you in the area and the c-rig gets you on the spot, exactly where you need to be.

Catt reply :

Ridge Defined: A high spot on the bottom of a body of water, similar to a hump, but usually long and narrow. Because of the water flow in the river or creek a ridge has been formed on the outside of the bend.

Ridge Logic: Underwater ridges attract bait fish and predators alike, because they create a defined contour with depth changes. While bass will not relate to ridges 100% of the time but they are dynamite fishing when you find the bass at home. Ridges will be productive year round and are ideal structure when looking for post frontal bass.

The Best Ridges: The best ridges vary from one lake to the next; ridges that top out in water 25' or less with good cover are prime structure. Ridges like any other kind of structure will have certain places the bass will relate to for one reason or another; it may be a small point, indention, group of stumps, or a brush pile.

Ridge Tricks: Jigging Spoons, Swim Baits, Jig-N-Craws, Carolina Rigs, Drop Shot Rigs, Texas Rigs and Deep Cranks can all be productive.

Coming soon Points

fishfordollars reply :

Quote
Ridge Defined: A high spot on the bottom of a body of water, similar to a hump, but usually long and narrow. Because of the water flow in the river or creek a ridge has been formed on the outside of the bend.
Ridge Logic: Underwater ridges attract bait fish and predators alike, because they create a defined contour with depth changes. While bass will not relate to ridges 100% of the time but they are dynamite fishing when you find the bass at home. Ridges will be productive year round and are ideal structure when looking for post frontal bass.

The Best Ridges: The best ridges vary from one lake to the next; ridges that top out in water 25' or less with good cover are prime structure. Ridges like any other kind of structure will have certain places the bass will relate to for one reason or another; it may be a small point, indention, group of stumps, or a brush pile.

Ridge Tricks: Jigging Spoons, Swim Baits, Jig-N-Craws, Carolina Rigs, Drop Shot Rigs, Texas Rigs and Deep Cranks can all be productive.

Coming soon Points

Gerat post Catt. There are some good ones out from the mouth of Palo Gaucho. One thing, you left out the cordinates of your favorite ones. Thanks for posting.

Big-O reply :

Great stuff Catt

Big O

Paul Roberts reply :

Yup. Offshore "shallows" are summer bass magnets. I fish small reservoirs, quarries, and ponds -same deal. A lot, if not most, bass move away from shore and can really pile up on these offshore shallows.

Mine don't have as much cover as Catt mentions, and my waters are quite clear, so I tend to mark 'em with a buoy then come back and throw from a distance -a tube, or crank, usually. If the fish are deeper, I can get closer and crank, jig, worm, or jig-worm, the sides.

Team9nine reply :

Good posts. I love structure fishing, and even more so the search for structure. I rely a ton on my graph, and I do a lot of idling instead of fishing. When I'm searching a new lake, or a 'new to me' section of a lake, I'll cross and recross a piece of structure until I understand how it lays out, where the steepr drops are, if there is any cover on the structure, how the shad are relating to it, what the bottom content appears to be, etc. I'm actually not interested right off in catching fish. I'd rather have a complete understanding as quickly as possible of the spot. Once I've done that, I'll know about 80-90% of everything I need to know about the spot. Only then will I throw on it, largely to reaffirm what I think I understand about the spot and secondarily to catch a fish. Many times you'd be surprised at how much intrusiveness a bass will put up with. Even if I don't catch anything that first time, the GPS gets punched and you can bet I'll be gunning for fish right from the get go the next time I arrive at the spot. 8-)

-T9

wagn reply :

this is the best offshore structure and fishing information I have ever read. It is so helpful to have someone actually explain and break down the terminology. I am sick of reading articles where I'm told to fish a ridge, but no one has described what they mean by ridge and how exactly they would fish it.

-Thanks Catt for this great post

Chuck

Bassin_Fin@tic reply :

Good stuff! This might be a good read for the guys who think the only way to catch bass is to constantly pound the shoreline cover just so they can "see" what they are aiming at. : :

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
Good stuff! This might be a good read for the guys who think the only way to catch bass is to constantly pound the shoreline cover just so they can "see" what they are aiming at. : :

Well, except for BassResource.com members,

I think the guys should stay close to the bank...

8-)

WRB reply :

CATT, your difinations differ from mine, but I agree that most bass fisherman spend too much time tied to the shoreline a casting distance way.

Hump to me; underwater island, depending on the lake level. Humps become islands as the water pool lowers, regardless of ther size.

Not all lakes have humps, some natural lakes are often feature less out in the basin, due to siltation filling in the bottom.

Ridge to me is similar to ridges above the water, they just extend down under water; the crest of a point for example or a ridge line on any mountain or hill. I consider outside river bends that have erroded to be ledges.

There isn't any standard terminolgy, it's very regional.

Out west where I fish for example, the soil on both humps and ridges is mostly clay and rock, therefor little or no aquatic vegetaion grows on them. Isolated structure elements like rock piles, boulders, trees and brush are the primary targets located on or near the hump or ridges that tend to hold the bass. For that reason we tend to use jigs, drop shot. deep cranks and vertical structure spoons on the outside structure featrues. Carolina rigs used more on the flats where soil can support vegetation, near deeper breaks.

WRB

Catt reply :

WRB common sense would tell you a hump would become an island if the water level drops far enough. The humps I refer to are always cover with water regardless of lake level.

A ridge above the water line that extends below the water line and a point are one in the same.

Ledges are horizontal projections forming a narrow shelf on a wall cause by the erosion of a river or creek flow.

I think I coved rock piles, boulders, trees and brush with relationship to these types of structure.

Carolina Rigs are productive even with out vegetation since this technique was in fact founded in salt water fishing long before it was ever associated with the state of Carolina.

Paul Roberts reply :

I pretty much think of all high spots (humps, ridges, and points) as functionally the same -Offshore areas that get sunlight and produce (or attract) food.

I could see ridge-shaped high spots as possibly offering something different in terms of current flow at times, due to sharper features.

I fish all these areas similarly though -and depending more on depth, cover type, and prey present.

Catt reply :

Point Defined: A finger of land that juts out into deeper open water. The most obvious points are main lake and secondary points that originate from the shoreline. Points also occur in conjunction with underwater ridges and humps. Points can also be found jutting out on underwater flats and have no visible area above the waterline.

Point Logic: Points create a slope contour that progresses from shallow water to deep but occasionally points will occur in stair-step form; these staggered series of drop-offs create additional structure. Bass relate to points for multiply reasons. Points provide a dining table for feeding acting as natural funnels for staging before, during, and after the spawn.

The Best Points: Choose points based on the season; in cold water concentrate on main lake points where bass can find significant depth changes without swimming great distances. In warm water concentrate on secondary points which are points that occur inside the mouth of a cove or bay when bass begin gravitating to shallows via creeks, ditches, and channels. Submerged points are ideal especially during adverse weather conditions. The ideal point has a channel because they provide them a convenient place to feed with deep water access. Points with some form of cover Hydrilla, brush, stumps, gravel, or chunk rock are generally more attractive than bald points.

Pointed techniques: Points are the most popular forms of structure because they are easiest to find and can be fished with any lure & technique which makes them the most pressured.

roadwarrior reply :

Man, I'm full on my twenty "Favorites".

Now I have to decide which one to

delete so I have room for this thread.

Great job, Catt!

8-)

Black Bass reply :

Thanks for the info Catt. It now also resides on my harddrive.

Catt reply :

Don't copy & paste to fast cause Ole Catt aint done yet

WRB reply :

Catt, it's your story, tell it anyway you want. Try to keep in mind some folks live outside of the state of Texas.

WRB

Mobydick reply :

Very good posts! It came at the right time, I am just now trying to learn to fish offshore structure! Thanks!

Ian

Catt reply :

What's really strange WRB is you're the only member out of close to 16,000 that has a problem with my definitions of structure. You keep saying terminology is regional but what you are disputing is not terminology but definitions and definitions do not change with regions.

Catt reply :

Roadbed Defined: The surface of a road can be dirt, gravel, asphalt, or concrete. County roads, farm market roads, state highways, old driveways or logging roads will hold bass provided they are situated at the right location.

Roadbed Logic: Roadbeds provide bass with a distinctive travel route with a built in edge and a Varity of bottom hardness's. Concentrate on sweet spots that offer something different from the rest of the road. Sweet spots are usually located along the edge of a road and consist of but not limited to drainage culverts, ditches, washouts, rocks, old hedgerows, stump lines, fence lines, and bar ditches. With roadbeds there are usually several sweet spots not just one or two; look for these spots around sharp bends and road intersections.

The Best Roads: Flooded roadbeds located in the backs of major bays/creeks will hold bass during fall/spring while deeper roads on the main lake are best during summer. Roadbeds that top out 6-12' beneath the surface will always get my attention.

Running the rods: A Carolina rig is perfectly suited becoming familiar with a roadbed; after you feel comfortable with the contour and find the sweet spots any technique will work.

johnkook73 reply :

Wow, good information Catt. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

bkoguy07 reply :

Would this be a good hump?

If you can see it its a 6' "hump" in the middle of deep water. What do you think?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/Bkoguy07/hump.jpg

WRB reply :

Quote
What's really strange WRB is you're the only member out of close to 16,000 that has a problem with my definitions of structure. You keep saying terminology is regional but what you are disputing is not terminology but definitions and definitions do not change with regions.

16,000 to 1 are good odd's that your definations are correct.

WRB

preach4bass reply :

Excellent post Catt! I'd love to spend a week in a boat with you, just riding around a strange lake and seeing how you tear it apart. I hope you're not done with this thread yet.

Jimzee reply :

Thanks Catt, good read. Saving it to my favorites right now.

CJ reply :

What you call it is what you call it. What you get out of the read is what you get out of it and it's a good post.

Not to step on your toes Catt, I may have missed it, but just to add one of my favorite structures is a "horseshoe" or a indentation in a ridge or ledge. Bass love to use this structure as an ambush spot for baitfish, especially in current.

Paul Roberts reply :

Oops! I think maybe my post might be hijacking Catt's thread -not sure. Will start a new thread.

Catt reply :

You take what you can use out of my post & leave the rest

You can steal my post so feel welcome to add anything anytime

fishfordollars reply :

Quote
You take what you can use out of my post & leave the rest
You can steal my post so feel welcome to add anything anytime

Thanks Catt.

MattStrykul reply :

Thanks for all the great information Catt.

Matt Fly reply :

I keep waiting for the punch line.

All lakes have it? Water.. or at least we hope.

Did I win anything for the correct answer?

Catt reply :

You win a guided trip on the Bend

K.P reply :

Catt-

I visit the forum and the first thing I read is your post! Incredible, made me go and register.

Thanks for sharing with the rest of us!

Catt reply :

You are welcome but there is more to come

bassnleo reply :

Catt, all well said!

Finding offshore spots can be absolute honey holes. My boat dosen't even realize there is a bank this time of year.

Just last evening for example I found a big stump on a point in about 10 fow. In 5 casts to the stump I landed two 4's, two 3's, and a 2.5. About 10 casts later I landed another 3.

5 fish going roughly 19 lbs and in 20 minutes or less.

Scary thing is that I have other spots that I call better than that one, but that one ain't bad

Good read!

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
Catt, all well said!
Finding offshore spots can be absolute honey holes. My boat dosen't even realize there is a bank this time of year.

Just last evening for example I found a big stump on a point in about 10 fow. In 5 casts to the stump I landed two 4's, two 3's, and a 2.5. About 10 casts later I landed another 3.

5 fish going roughly 19 lbs and in 20 minutes or less.

Scary thing is that I have other spots that I call better than that one, but that one ain't bad

Good read!

WOW!

That rocks!

8-)

Catt reply :

Please stay tuned of more to come!

little_stephen reply :

Quote
Informative but why should you use the C-Rig to pinpoint the structure/hump when a depth will work.

because not all of us have electronic units in the first place.....

Paul Roberts reply :

Quote
Informative but why should you use the C-Rig to pinpoint the structure/hump when a depth will work.

Because the C-Rig will let you feel the bottom, and pinpoint specific elements, in relation to where you are sitting.

I'd like to hear more from others on the details they look for, and specific examples of spots that produced.

tennwalkinghorse reply :

Thanks Catt GREAT post

Dock Master reply :

I know this is completely off topic but Catt keeps mentioning to fish with it so how did the Carolina Rig get it's name?

Hammer 4 reply :

This should be moved to Important Subjects... So it Stays on the 1st page..

BTW...Thanks CATT! 8-)

Muddy reply :

Quote
What's really strange WRB is you're the only member out of close to 16,000 that has a problem with my definitions of structure. You keep saying terminology is regional but what you are disputing is not terminology but definitions and definitions do not change with regions.

He caught the biggest fish here , he can't be wrong

Muddy reply :

Thanks Catt, this goes into my notebook for sure!This is what makes you one of the best fishing educators I have ever met, and you give it freely

Question about fishing HUMPS; do you fish them bottom to top, like you would a submerged creek bed or channel?

Reason I ask: There are 2 humps in a place I fish, a natural lake::that are smack dab in the middle of a large weedy flat in 9 to 12 ft of water. Both humps go up about 4 ft off the bottom. One is just a rounded hump. the other has some rocks and some cover on the top, I usually head right for that cover on the top.

(ps not the exact depth, I aint trying to give these spots up you know)

FishingPirate reply :

Great post catt

Ive got a few offshore things Im having some trouble with, if you dont mind could you give your opinions?

Here they are:

A big rock, almost a perfect rectangle about the size of an RV in about 20 FOW that rises up about 8 feet. Im thinking it broke off of an adjacent cliff years ago.

A ridge thing that goes between two points that are on each side of a cove. The water on one side goes from 30' to 9' and the other side goes from 26' to 13' or so. This ridge is covered in rocks ranging from tackle bag size to fist size.

The lake goes down about 16 feet yearly so I get to look at all of this stuff up close. Considering its only fourty feet, that is a substantial loss.

Catt reply :

Dang that's a rock

Ok when looking at structure you must also look at the surrounding area as well, a sweet spot on structure quite often no is that obvious. Finding main structure is easy but breaking that down into prime structure and then again into a key structure is the way to success.

Back to you big ole rock, from what you have told me about it is that its 12' tall and the size of an RV. My next instinctive response would be So, more input required!

Now for the ridge thingy, we have main structure of a ridge, 2 points, and a cove correct?

My next instinctive response would be, is there a creek?

My next instinctive response would be, is this ridge in the back of the cove or out towards the mouth?

As I've reread many of our older post I'm reminded of the fact we need and advanced course in learning structure.

Sam reply :

As I read the heading I thought it was "water."

HAMMER23 reply :

No matter how you define it, if you know what to look for FISH IT if you dont, stick to the bank, or learn !!! There are several people on here that have been doing this for a long time and can teach you how to read a map and find these humps and ridges.

Mrs. Matstone reply :

Great post Catt. Thanks for sharing.

Catt reply :

Y'all are killing me!

NOT, I love teaching

Sam reply :

Yep, Catt.

Humps are good and are overlooked as we beat the shoreline.

Nice hump in Lake Anna that we fish.

It has been holding small bass for a few years but the big ones were there in the past and I expect them to be there in the future.

Thanks for reminding us about humps.

And remember,Ruffles Ridges are Good!

Dinky reply :

Great info CATT!! If I can get to the Bend this fall can we set up a 'live demo' guided trip? (@ your normal rates of course).

Also, I hear a lot about fishing the outside bend of a creek or main channel. Any guidance on that?

Thanks again for the great info!

wmd

Mountain Angler reply :

well put man

flippin Dan reply :

I have a map of my local lake and would LOVE to mail it to someone willing to show me some key spots to help me get honed in a little. Maybe circle a few spots and give me some notes of why they should be good and mail it back to me. Any takers???

Sam reply :

Go to this website and get the Ike's Rules DVD.

He tells you how to approach a body of water for the first time.

http://www.mikeiaconelli.com/

bigbill reply :

Good post. Knowing how the bottom structure is helps when fishing it.

Fishing from shore I take the time at a new spot to use the hummingbird portable fish finder to tell me how the bottom structure is. I find the flats, the holes and the drop off's. Most of the time i can see the rocky points drop off. Now the ilands or shallow ilands are ble too. The water current and the wind direction will tell us how to fish it and where the fish are linded up.

Fishing in the current, the wind in a body of water can be like stream fishing. Look for the quiet spots were the fish can rest. Alos look for were the current edge is too. When feeding this is were they will be.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 4/13/2012 at 5:44 PM, Sam said:

Yep, Catt.

Humps are good and are overlooked as we beat the shoreline.

Nice hump in Lake Anna that we fish.

It has been holding small bass for a few years but the big ones were there in the past and I expect them to be there in the future.

Thanks for reminding us about humps.

And remember,Ruffles Ridges are Good!

There is more than one big guy !!!!

On 5/18/2009 at 6:49 PM, Catt said:

Dang that's a rock

Ok when looking at structure you must also look at the surrounding area as well, a sweet spot on structure quite often no is that obvious. Finding main structure is easy but breaking that down into prime structure and then again into a key structure is the way to success.

Back to you big ole rock, from what you have told me about it is that its 12' tall and the size of an RV. My next instinctive response would be So, more input required!

Now for the ridge thingy, we have main structure of a ridge, 2 points, and a cove correct?

My next instinctive response would be, is there a creek?

My next instinctive response would be, is this ridge in the back of the cove or out towards the mouth?

As I've reread many of our older post I'm reminded of the fact we need and advanced course in learning structure.

As I have been reading all of the post's, now the pictures are starting to make a much bigger and clearer portrait.

Your not just teaching catt, your moulding our minds and creating an excitement with imagery's of what the waters hold beneath for us if we just go find it and learn how to fish it at the right times!!

I can't wait to get back to the lake !!!!!

Fishing-Vol reply :

Catt, you started this in 08 and it is still going. Thanks for the info. But....................you didn't finish the original topic. All lakes have it. Humps, points, ridges, roadbeds, are not in all lakes. So, since I have been copying and pasteing for the past three days, I must assume that there is more to this topic and it has slipped away from your lesson plan. Or, you feel that this is a completed subject and you are waiting for the students to tell you their answers. Water, would not be the correct answer, and since some lakes don't have points and some don't have humps and some don't have roadbeds, ect. I suppose that would make the answer ???? Structure? Again, thank you. I have not been a member on BR long, but this is the most informative site there is.

Catt reply :

Nitrofreak did I detect a light going off?

All lakes have it?

Answer: despite what some believe - structure

Lund Explorer reply :

Our region has a number of manmade humps also.

Fishing on lakes where lumber operations took place from the 1850's into the early 1900's, it is normal to find a number of humps made entirely of waste lumber sunk into the lake. Some are massive enough to be considered structure itself rather than cover on structure.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 4/14/2012 at 10:51 AM, Catt said:

Nitrofreak did I detect a light going off?

All lakes have it?

Answer: despite what some believe - structure

catt,

The light has never gone off lol.

Although it has been a little dim for a while, I think you have just made it shine once more my friend !!!

Something has been missing in my fishing journal for a long time, I have made notes of all of these different structures on my home lake but have just not been able to put 2 and 2 together, I have since gone home and broke out that ol' structure map of Lake Anna with all of the markings of what used to be there before the lake was actually a lake and also of what the lake is today

I have a vacation coming in June, a whole week has been scheduled for the lake to get out there and work, or, do a little hunting as one would put it ha ha !!!!

I have loaded up some new baits for the good ol' Texas rig worm, now I can't wait to get out there and use it like it's supposed to be used.

A light? no, more like a big ass fire has been lit...Thanx catt !!!!!

Catt reply :

Lund Explorer, there are cases where cover can be considered structure and structure considered cover, see the definition of a breakline.

Nitrofreak, I should have said "do I detect a light coming on"

Between now and your vacation I highly suggest you read Matt Fly's Know Thy Shad part I & II.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 4/16/2012 at 8:05 PM, Catt said:

Lund Explorer, there are cases where cover can be considered structure and structure considered cover, see the definition of a breakline.

Nitrofreak, I should have said "do I detect a light coming on"

Between now and your vacation I highly suggest you read Matt Fly's Know Thy Shad part I & II.

catt,

Thanks for all the help !!!

One thing I found to be interesting in the articals that Matt so generously posted for us on the threadfin shad is that it was mentioned that they will use "deeper haunts", threadfin, I thought, use shallow water and really did not go deep, now I am not sure exactly, so just how deep is deep for the threadfin shad?

For those of you who are having trouble finding this thread, it is at the top of this forum under "best of" bassresource, then scroll down to bass forage, and so are a lot of other really great articals !!!!

Catt reply :

How deep down will they go I not real sure, now as far as over what depth they'll school is another lesson all together. So which are you referring to?

Bankbeater reply :

Good post Catt.

Catt reply :

Thank Y'all

bocabasser reply :

been soakin up catts knowledge for years. keep it comin catt. i love to learn.

Nitrofreak reply :

On 4/18/2012 at 7:21 AM, Catt said:

How deep down will they go I not real sure, now as far as over what depth they'll school is another lesson all together. So which are you referring to?

We have both, threadfin and gizzard in my home lake, the things I have read the gizzard shad can go deep and stay deep, as to what depth for either I am unsure of as well, the threadfin, as I understand, like shallower waters, the gizzard shad I think if I understand, will come from deeper water to spawn in the shallows, similar to LMB.

There are times when I do find these schools in 40 feet of water, following structure, mostly old creek beds during the winter to spring transition, I can only assume these would be the gizzard shad.

As far as your question goes, I am all about learning, so if you have a lesson, then by all means, preach on brother and lay it on us !!

BassinNY reply :

Thank You for sharing your knowledge, this is Bass fishing 101 and then some!!

Catt reply :

There are times when bringing up old threads is easier than answering PMs

Dwight Hottle reply :

WTG Catt you never disappoint.

Montanaro reply :

There is a hump in one of the lakes I fish that goes from 20' to 8' on top, gradually. On top are a few stumps, brush piles and one lone standing tree trunk. The other side drops off faster into about 15'~. It's almost like a ridge but more circular.

Have yet to get any hits there and pick up nothing on the sonar. The hump, in summer, is secluded from other sunken timber and vegetation (there is some milfoil that grows on the hump). This seclusion, me thinks, reduces the amount of baitfish available for the bass. Perhaps once the thick vegetation starts to receed later in the year, the baitfish will be forced out into more open water?

tatertester reply :

The structure issue is one that needs to be taken with a degree of flexibility,as far as I have experienced...I've found that their often seems to be a given area within or near the structure that is the dominant fishing holding section....I have found such an area that appears to be the same as everything around it, yet, always gives up 2 or 3 fish everytime I've tried it......Weeds, rocks, wood , lily pads in themselves often ARE the fish holding structure....VEEEWY, VEEEWY ,CONFUSING?

Kevin22 reply :

On 8/9/2013 at 5:23 AM, Montanaro said:

There is a hump in one of the lakes I fish that goes from 20' to 8' on top, gradually. On top are a few stumps, brush piles and one lone standing tree trunk. The other side drops off faster into about 15'~. It's almost like a ridge but more circular.

Have yet to get any hits there and pick up nothing on the sonar. The hump, in summer, is secluded from other sunken timber and vegetation (there is some milfoil that grows on the hump). This seclusion, me thinks, reduces the amount of baitfish available for the bass. Perhaps once the thick vegetation starts to receed later in the year, the baitfish will be forced out into more open water?

Being that it is summer, the fish will move up on the hump to feed in late evening until very early in the morning and then they will back off again. Baitfish go deep in the daytime during the summer to find cooler water with more oxygen.

Catt reply :

Never will a bass be found not related to structure in some form but not all structure holds bass. This is why it is said 10% of the water holds 90% of the bass.

Montanaro, finding structute is only step1, it may hold bass it may not. Look for break lines leading to & from deeper water.

Next you must consider weather, water conditions, seasonal patters, & the availibality of prey. Prey does not have to be baitfish such as shad , it could be sunfish or crawfish.

WRB reply :

Humps are what I would define as outside isolated structure that provide adult size bass a sanctuary. These areas are bass magnets because they get little fishing pressure from the anglers focused on the shoreline.

Tom

Kevin22 reply :

On 8/9/2013 at 8:21 AM, Catt said:
Never will a bass be found not related to structure in some form but not all structure holds bass.

I've caught bass suspended 10' deep over 30' flats. No structure within 1/4 mile, not even a hump. They were just in a neutral mood and you pretty much had to knock them in the head with a vertical drop shot to get them to bite.

Catt reply :

Hum flat aint structure!

I'll bet you $100 it was not totally flat with no cover!

OkobojiEagle reply :

On 8/9/2013 at 8:21 AM, Catt said:
Never will a bass be found not related to structure in some form but not all structure holds bass.

A lot of nuance needs to be understood in bass fishing. In my smallmouth lakes you may find smallmouth "relating" to a feeding shelf/flat by suspending a good distance off the shelf at the shelf depth over much deeper water. It appears they are suspended relating to nothing but will move back and forth horizontally to the flat to feed.

You may also find smallmouth in the middle of a 100' deep basin suspended under a school of palagic bait fish. I consider this "relating" to the school rather than geologic structure.

And then there are the bass that you will find "relating" to structureless cover such as floating swim platforms or docks... a lot of nuance.

Catt reply :

Y'all are looking at a situation with your eyes & mind closed.

When dealing with situations like those described above one must look for small, tiny, minute, subtle contour changes that are in inches not feet.

Break lines maybe changes in bottom hardness or composition, like clay, sand, or pea gravel ECT; they maybe grass inches tall and non-visible on a depth finder.

To the average angler there is no "structure" but to the seasoned angler the "structure" is plan as day.

FrogFreak reply :

This thread is an example of why finding this site not long ago was like coming home! I went out last weekend after I studied a topo map of my home lake and I was so much more productive. But now, now I'm going to look at the lake in a whole new way. I've been cruising along and i've seen humps on my Lowrance. Well dang it, I'm going to stop and scope it out next time. I love the idea of fishing something other than the areas everyone else fishes.

This bank beater is going to be a humper.......or something

Thanks Catt!!

pbrussell reply :

I guess it's time to dredge up bill murphy's book again and restudy this structure thing.

I love this place.

Thanks Catt.

MN Lakes Area 14 reply :

does anyone do any reading up on their own?! lol

Nitrofreak reply :

And then there are the bass that you will find "relating" to structureless cover such as floating swim platforms or docks... a lot of nuance.

I don't understand "structureless cover", every piece of cover has structure to a fish , just like you walk on your floor , you have a ceiling , everything a bass does relates to structure in some shape or form , even the suspended bass that you spoke of use the dark pools to ambush prey but they are there because structure led them to these suspending areas , they are still relating to the relative surrounding structure just as we do when we drop a marker , we attempt to duplicate with boat position and accuracy , they know where to position themselves for the best possible chance at catching a meal, they understand depth of perception far better than any angler ever could IMO.

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