Breaklines 2024
Buffdaddy54 reply :
I just read an article on fishing breaklines in ponds for more success. Problem is they never explained how and where to find them. How do I find a breakline?
thanx
J Francho reply :
From our Fishing Glossary:
QuoteBreak - Distinct variation in otherwise constant stretches of cover, structure, or bottom type. Basically anything that "breaks up" the underwater terrain.
Breakline - A line of abrupt change in depth, bottom type, or water clarity in the feature of otherwise uniform structure. A place where there is a sudden or drastic change in the depth of the water, or weed type. This may be the edge of a creek, a submerged cliff, or even a stand of submerged weeds.
Team9nine reply :
...and this is the point in the road (nomenclature) where all of us structure guys end up taking slightly divergent paths 
WRB reply :
You need to apply whatever the author intended a break line to be relative to where he fishes, in this case a pond. Ponds are very small bodies of water and rarely have seqnificant or abrupt structure breaks associated to reserviors created by dam impounded river valley.
My guess would be aquatic vegetation break or weed lines and possibly soil changes. Water coloration changes or water temperature changes other than thermal layers are not typical to ponds.
Tom
Catt reply :
Breakline: A breakline can have more than one meaning. It can be another word for a drop-off/ledge, or a point of any quick change in depth. It can also be used to describe the edge of a vegetation line. For example, a "weed break" is the area of the weed bed where the weeds meet up with open water; or, where one type of weed meets up with another. The last example happens when bottom composition changes, as different weeds prefer different types of bottom composition. In rocky impoundments, a breakline can also describe a line where rock meets mud, pea gravel, etc. In other words, the most correct definition for a breakline is "Any distinct line that is made by cover or structure which leads to an abrupt change in bottom depth, composition, or cover transition".
Ya confused yet? 
J Francho reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 3:38 AM, Catt said:or, where one type of weed meets up with another
This is one of those "ah-ha!" moments I had during a tournament. Something I forever look for now.
Scarborough817 reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 3:41 AM, J Francho said:
This is one of those "ah-ha!" moments I had during a tournament. Something I forever look for now.
i think i just had this moment. would lily pads, meeting with pencil reed constitute this
J Francho reply :
It's one of those hidden things. It probably points to a slight bottom composition change. So subtle, like a small depression in a flat, that's barely detectable with your graph and not on maps.
Catt reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 3:41 AM, J Francho said:
This is one of those "ah-ha!" moments I had during a tournament. Something I forever look for now.
J Francho reply :
Thanks, lol.
Team9nine reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 3:38 AM, Catt said:Breakline: A breakline can have more than one meaning.
Ya confused yet?
I'm not, but you guys are doing a great job making my point, and confusing everyone else in the process 
Catt reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 4:33 AM, Team9nine said:
I'm not, but you guys are doing a great job making my point, and confusing everyone else in the process
You can offer your definition
There by giving each individual a choice!
deep reply :
Uhh, everything from a mudline to a shadow edge to a thermocline to a sand-to-gravel transition is a break (breakline)... whether it's a depth break (breakline) or not. Maybe edge is a more intuitive term.
@Catt, what about breaklines that are not on or part of the bottom?
Team9nine reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 5:46 AM, Catt said:
You can offer your definition
There by giving each individual a choice!
Anyone who wants "my" definitions can just read any of Buck Perry's writings. The man coined most of the terms in question that we still use today. I try to adhere to those original terms and definitions as close as I possibly can. Just call me "old school," "outdated," "behind the times," or whatever. Doesn't affect my fishing (or catching) any
I will add @Catt that I think you and I might be the closest in our line of thinking, but we still have a few differences here and there. We're much closer together than we are apart 
WRB reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 6:56 AM, Team9nine said:
Anyone who wants "my" definitions can just read any of Buck Perry's writings. The man coined most of the terms in question that we still use today. I try to adhere to those original terms and definitions as close as I possibly can. Just call me "old school," "outdated," "behind the times," or whatever. Doesn't affect my fishing (or catching) any
I will add @Catt that I think you and I might be the closest in our line of thinking, but we still have a few differences here and there. We're much closer together than we are apart
Just put your vast knowledge into answering the OP's 1st sentence related to ponds.
Tom
Team9nine reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 8:37 AM, WRB said:Just put your vast knowledge into answering the OP's 1st sentence related to ponds.
Tom
Since the OP gave no specific reference to the article, I have no context to base an answer upon, and would only be guessing at what the author was alluding to. I don't even know if what he (the author) was referring to, I would even agree to being a "breakline" (hence my point). That might lead to even more confusion for the OP.
Plenty of examples in the replies above as to various types of breaklines that might be applicable to the OP's situation regardless of exact definition though. 'Catt' and 'deep' covered a good many of them.
Catt reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 6:56 AM, Team9nine said:I will add @Catt that I think you and I might be the closest in our line of thinking, but we still have a few differences here and there. We're much closer together than we are apart
In total & complete agreement
WRB reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 8:59 AM, Team9nine said:
Since the OP gave no specific reference to the article, I have no context to base an answer upon, and would only be guessing at what the author was alluding to. I don't even know if what he (the author) was referring to, I would even agree to being a "breakline" (hence my point). That might lead to even more confusion for the OP.
Plenty of examples in the replies above as to various types of breaklines that might be applicable to the OP's situation regardless of exact definition though. 'Catt' and 'deep' covered a good many of them.
You apparently didn't read my repl, no reason for further commit.
Tom
On 8/3/2017 at 8:59 AM, Team9nine said:
Since the OP gave no specific reference to the article, I have no context to base an answer upon, and would only be guessing at what the author was alluding to. I don't even know if what he (the author) was referring to, I would even agree to being a "breakline" (hence my point). That might lead to even more confusion for the OP.
Plenty of examples in the replies above as to various types of breaklines that might be applicable to the OP's situation regardless of exact definition though. 'Catt' and 'deep' covered a good many of them.
You apparently didn't read my reply.
Tom
Team9nine reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 1:14 PM, WRB said:You apparently didn't read my repl, no reason for further commit.
Tom
You apparently didn't read my reply.
Tom
I read your reply, and it was very appropriate to what the OP asked for. Probably about the best answer one could give in this situation. Personally, I prefer not to let the author slide with "whatever [he] intended a break line to be," and since I didn't know what that was, chose not to directly answer the question, instead pointing out the potential differences of opinion/answers based on the term and the definition one gives. You appear to be fine with the vagueness, and that's your choice. Neither of us is wrong here.
IndianaFinesse reply :
"Breakline- A line on structure where there is a definite increase in depth, either sudden !or gradual, weadline, brushline, edge of channels or holes, where two bodies of water meet which differ in temperature and/or water color." Breaklines as defined by Buck Perry.
deep reply :
Matt and Tim has a new video out. I thought it was fairly basic, but it does answer OP's questions.
Look for *Where Do Bass Go In Fall And Summer?*
Matt seems to prefer the terms "transition" and/ or "edge", I did hear him say "break" once or twice though. I don't think he ever used "breakline". Anyway, it's the same deal. Watch it @Buffdaddy54
Buffdaddy54 reply :
Thank you to all. The original article that I read was very vague as to what break line they were talking about. With that said I assumed he was talking about changes in depth and now I go back to my original question; if in fact we are talking about changes in water depth, how do I know where to look? The pond I occasionally fish has no discernible cover what so ever. The bottom near the edges seem to be rocky but out deeper I have pulled in a lot of vegetation. There are no stumps, laydowns that I can see. No overhanging branches for shade.
The author of the article stated that with these things in mind fish will cruise break lines seeing as there is no other structure. So again if we are talking about water depth changes, how do I find those break lines. I'm sorry if this is convoluted or confusing but this is all I have? I I tried to post a picture of the pond but file size was not compatible.
thanks again
deep reply :
On 8/4/2017 at 12:08 AM, Buffdaddy54 said:
The author of the article stated that with these things in mind fish will cruise break lines seeing as there is no other structure.
Breaklines (on the bottom) are edges of structures. Structure = distinct part of the bottom. A piece of structure has to start and end somewhere.
On 8/4/2017 at 12:08 AM, Buffdaddy54 said:So again if we are talking about water depth changes, how do I find those break lines
Topo maps, depthfinder, dragging a jig.
On 8/4/2017 at 12:08 AM, Buffdaddy54 said:The bottom near the edges seem to be rocky but out deeper I have pulled in a lot of vegetation.
Sounds like a bottom composition breakline to me (at the very least)...
Choporoz reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 11:46 PM, IndianaFinesse said:"Breakline- A line on structure where there is a definite increase in depth, either sudden or gradual, weadline, brushline, edge of channels or holes, where two bodies of water meet which differ in temperature and/or water color." Breaklines as defined by Buck Perry.
Even Mr. Perry leaves it some of it to interpretation; "definite" tried to rein it in...but "either sudden or gradual" sent it back over the edge.
@Buffdaddy54, if you aren't worried about disclosing a honey hole, perhaps give us the coordinates from google map....just so we can all talk about the same body of water and try to apply our thoughts to it
geo g reply :
I fish many man made lakes from the bank during the week. These lakes all have steep drop-offs. For me it is easy to determine where the break line is by looking at the vegetation pattern. Where the thick vegetation ends is where there is a sudden change in structure depth. No need for any fancy equipment, just observe!
Team9nine reply :
As already stated, observation is the most likely way, especially if the water is somewhat clear. Look for where the bottom "drops off" away from the bank if such a condition occurs.
Another would be to purchase one of those castable depthfinder deals, which might be worth the investment if you fish this place a lot.
Beyond that, many ponds when first built have no depth breaklines, but over time will develop them. This is due to constant wind and wave action against the shoreline that ends up creating a shallow flat within a few feet of the shore that then drops off into the depths at the original angle.
The last idea would be to fancast with a dropping lure and count down various spots around the lake and out from the shore looking for holes or shallower areas that might clue you in to possible depth breaks.
Outside of depth breaklines, if you don't see weeds but pull them up on casts, it is very possible they have both an inside and outside weedline, a form of breakline. Also, as mentioned above, bottom composition breaklines where the rocky bottom ends and switches to some different soil type would be another likely breakline to explore.
Lastly, it was Rich Zaleski that I first saw write about and propose that the shoreline is the most significant breakline in many bodies of water. I still ponder that one myself, but one of the biggest mistakes I see bank anglers make is not throwing at the bank, instead always throwing out into the lake.
Take all these replies with a grain of salt. As you have probably seen, there is little agreement on terminology, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions and often resulting in more confusion than help.
Catt reply :
On 8/4/2017 at 1:15 AM, Team9nine said:one of the biggest mistakes I see bank anglers make is not throwing at the bank, instead always throwing out into the lake.
WRB reply :
On 8/3/2017 at 8:59 AM, Team9nine said:
Since the OP gave no specific reference to the article, I have no context to base an answer upon, and would only be guessing at what the author was alluding to. I don't even know if what he (the author) was referring to, I would even agree to being a "breakline" (hence my point). That might lead to even more confusion for the OP.
Plenty of examples in the replies above as to various types of breaklines that might be applicable to the OP's situation regardless of exact definition though. 'Catt' and 'deep' covered a good many of them.
You apparently didn't read my reply.
Tom
WRB reply :
I have no idea why the above reply posted twice?
We all started bass fishing without much knowledge and gained whatever we have learned by trail and error before or after reading one thing or another. With bass fishing experience is the best teacher, reading and learning form someone else's research only works when we go out and fish.
Pond bass are bass but thier ecosystems are very small and adult bass have learned every inch of thier home waters. My observations with pond bass is they roam around the parimeter hunting shoreline pray because that is where the majority of the prey source is located. Down wind or wind blown shoreline areas tend to have active feeding bass. Inlet and outlet stream, if the pond is stream fed, nearly always have a few active bass. Aeration systems and if there is a bluegill feeders they have active bass nearby. Breaks or edges, most ponds will have a predominate aquatic vegetation source the creates a wall, sometimes it's an inside edge a few feet from the bank and a outside edge wher the light can't penetrate in deeper water. Pond bass live in and around the weeds or stay near any type of structure, a culvert pipe, a rock pile, a single stump can be home to the biggest bass in the pond.
My method of bass fishing from shore is using a fan casting making 180 degree 1/2 circle casting pattern and walking forward and repeteing this pattern. If you do this all the way around a pond you will know everything about that pond and where the bass are located.
Tom
Buffdaddy54 reply :
On 8/4/2017 at 12:24 AM, Choporoz said:Even Mr. Perry leaves it some of it to interpretation; "definite" tried to rein it in...but "either sudden or gradual" sent it back over the edge.
@Buffdaddy54, if you aren't worried about disclosing a honey hole, perhaps give us the coordinates from google map....just so we can all talk about the same body of water and try to apply our thoughts to it
Here is a pic of what it looks like. Definitely no honey hole. Highly pressured but close and convenient. I know there are decent fish in here, I just can't seem to catch them?
Its the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab Pond off of Johns Hopkins road.
WRB reply :
1/2 of the shoreline is rip rap broken rock and other 1/2 is grass cover dirt bank. Crawdads will be hiding in the rip rap rocks. You have 4 rock to soil transition vertical breaks and a 2 paralell breaks where the rocks end on the ponds bottom. There may also be a rock pile of left over rip rap. As stated above I would fan cast a soft plastic T-rigged black grape-blue neon 6" worm during day light. If night fishing is allowed I would do the same except go to a 7 1/2" ribbon tail worm and also cast a brown rat paralell to the bank about 2' to 5' out. I would start at 1 of the vertical rock to soil edges and work all around that small pond.
Tom
PS, are you positive that pond has a bass population? I don't see a water source or areation system.
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