Fishin deep

[dinkcatchinfool]

Everybody I know goes up and down the banks fishing, beating them to death. I can't think of one instance of seeing anybody fishing offshore structure. When you watch tv or read anything, if its not spawn or fall everyone is fishing deep structure and they say a bass is a bass anywhere you go and if you're fishing the bank, 90% of the fish are behind you. I have tried this a few times with no luck and some of the people I talk to claim that our lakes don't have the structure or the numbers of bass of lakes you see on tv/magazines. Well, there may not be as much structure, but I know of many humps, channels, and ledges in the lakes we fish. It's completely obvious the fish numbers/quality won't compare to Guntersville or Kentucky, but bass aren't endangered by any means in these lakes and get tons of pressure. Just wondering opinions on offshore structure holding fish in general regardless of the lakes bass population, and how you approach it.

[LOZman]

I'm a deep water specialist. I'll repost a couple of things you might try.

[LOZman]

Fishing Main Lake Channel Shad Schools

There are two main things you need to fish deep shad schools--good electronics and patience. When shad schools gather at 30-55 ft. in early summer, it is usually in mid channel of the main arm of the lake. The schools are huge, sometimes football field size or larger. Many of the large bass you hunted in the spring have moved to feed on these deep schools. The thermocline rule can be thrown out when fishing deep schools. If there is enough oxygen for shad schools, there is enough oxygen for bass to feed on the schools.

Consider the shad schools as a type of stucture in the lake. Two types of bass feed on these schools. Smaller bass, usually in schools, that appear to the sides of the shad and larger bass that will be under the shad school. Large bass are lazy and will wait for the smaller bass to attack the shad. Stunned shad will fall below the shad school to the large bass. Sometimes it helps to fish the small bass schools to the sides to turn the fish on before you go for the large bass.

Electronics: this is a case where the more power the unit has, the better. Set the unit to manual mode and adjust the sensitivity until you can see your lure at the depth you want to fish. This way you can see bass approach your lure and can tell if they are in a feeding or negative mode. Remember that if the smaller bass schools aren't feeding, the large bass probably aren't either. You will not be able to see the large bass under the shad schools.

Techniques: vertical jigging is the best way to fish deep schools. Large grubs(9-12 in.), jigging spoons, "Little George", large lipless crankbaits can all be jigged through and below the shad schools. Large lazy bass are looking for a meal---not a snack.
Some other ideas to try: 1-2 oz. shot arm spinnerbait, chatter bait, c-rigged rouge--all cast ahead as far as you can, counted down to the depth you need and fished back through the shad school.

Patience: remember that you are fishing deep. The fish feed sporadically throughout the day. If they are not biting, fish other areas and come back later. Don't spend more than 15-20 minutes and watch your electronics to see the bass's mode.

My best morning fishing this strategy: first nine bass caught all over four pounds.

Good Fishing!

[LOZman]

Shad Schools in the Pre-spawn and Early Fall

Shad schools which formed in mid channel after the spawn and during the winter, make a move towards the points during the pre-spawn and early fall. The schools do not go onto the points but remain offshore from 25 to 150 yrds. from shore. As with the mid channel shad schools, large numbers of bass remain with these schools. The bass will leave the schools for the spawn and return to the schools post spawn in the spring and will move with the shad schools into the coves and arms in the fall. The bass feed frequently at these times of the year and you can have a huge sack to weigh in at these times. During the spring, I will use jerkbaits to draw bass up towards the surface if the wind and waves are up and large 8-12 in. grubs either cast or jigged if the bass remain deeper.

Good Fishing!

[dinkcatchinfool]

Great info thanks!

[luke1wcu]

thanks for the good read...

[dchance]

[chucktx]

excellent info......thanks!!!

[RFeyoMN]

Patience is everything, when just learning to fish deeper water.

The "spot on the spot" analogy is very accurrate, and you really need to pay attention to details. You could find them relating to a spot 1/4 the sive of your boat...a hard spot of some sort, or a single rock, etc. Watch your electronics for activity, and if you see some...back off and fishi those fish, maybe bass, maybe not.

Also, watch the bank everytime you cast. Again, attention to details. You may have to duplicate the cast to catch more than one.

It doesn't have to be difficult, you just have to be more aware than when fishing the bank. But when you figure things out, and run into a big school...it makes it worth it.

[Les Young]

Lozman, excellent explanation.

[Les Young]

Another good tip.