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UNDERSTANDING BASIC BASS
STRUCTURE
Jim Porter
 The
following is a short list of 'truisms' regarding bass fishing structure.
They have been found to be accurate in lakes, rivers, and ponds, and
even in saltwater use. If any are unclear, please consider re-reading
the accompanying article. To become fully proficient as a structure
angler, each element must be readily understood and practiced.
Future articles on the various details of
these 'truisms' will follow on fishing-hunting.com
The angler should understand 'structure'
versus 'cover'.
- The terms 'cover' and 'structure' are
NOT synonymous. They are different features.
- Cover is for hiding; structure is for
feeding.
- The potential of a given structure
feature can be reasonably determined by:1) the nearby availability
of 25 feet or more of depth; 2) and, the 'steepness' of the drop-off
associated with the access to that depth.
- Structure, even if it consists of
weeds, brush or timber, is not used to hide the bass, nor is it used
for his protection. A productive structure feature is one, which
provides ready availability of food or serves as a reference point
during periods of inactivity.
- When a bass experiences fear or senses
danger, his instinctive reaction is to dash for the deep water near
his structure or cover area.
- Unless actively feeding, a bass will
nearly always hold near the edge of the structure drop into deep
water.
Of all available structure features, ledges
and drops are the most common AND the most continuously productive.
- A 'drop' is a contour change resulting
in deeper water and has a downward angler of decent of 30 degrees,
or more. Any change less than 30 degrees is considered a slope and
will not be as productive.
- A 'ledge' is the upper lip, or edge,
of a drop.
- While ledges and drops usually exist
throughout a body of water, those associated with submerged channels
and the deepest water in the area are always the more consistently
productive.
'Pattern depth' is a term used to define the
location (depth) the majority of bass schools can be expected to be
found in a given body of water.
- It is dependent upon the coloration/
clarity of the water.
- The 'pattern depth' of the normal,
lightly stained reservoir is 12-18 feet.
- The clearer the water, the greater the
'pattern depth'.
Evaluating and selecting structure is a four
step process:
- Consider the season, weather and
probable bass activity.
- Determine the approximate 'pattern
depth'.
- Using a map, identify and prioritize
selected structure.
- Perform an on-the-water evaluation of
the prioritized locations, identify significant features and
re-prioritize.
"Jim
Porter's Guide To Bass Fishing" website is the 'home page' for
Florida's famous Farm 13/Stick Marsh impoundment. More trophy bass are
taken from this 7300-acre body of water annually than from any other
single lake or river in the country. Jim provides twice-weekly fishing
reports and condition updates on the waters, as well as detailed reports
on his guide trips. An interactive map provides the reader with a detailed
guide to the impoundment, as well as the ability to click on any part of
the map and get an immediate description and pictorial view of that
section. As an internationally published outdoors writer, Jim also
populates the site with a large archive of fishing related articles and
other stories, plus guest writer materials. The 'Old Fishin' Tipster'
section provides a large library of fishing and boating tips and tricks.
Another popular site element is the 'Ask the Experts’
question-and-answer feature. The 'Fishin' Tipster Takes A Look' page
provides unbiased evaluations of fishing and boating products. ‘Swimming
Worm’ products are available on the site. Plus, there’s a lot more on
this large, informative fishing-oriented site. Swim on by www.stickmarsh.com
You'll be glad you did!"
Mexican Lakes -The
World's Best Bass Angling!
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