®
S SW P OET ET
Fall 2020
hitting the
By Mike Gorman
page 22
B
y learning to identify key features and focusing
our bait selection and presentation to maximize
efficiency, we can identify key areas and eliminate fishing unproductive or less productive water – and work
smarter for our fish.
Even in a productive area, be it a rock wall, stretch of docks,
tule berms/weed mats – there is usually a “sweet spot.”
In this article we are going to discuss not only
finding that sweet spot – (which electronics have helped
tremendously) but, how to fish those areas to maximize their
productivity.
We are going to learn how to focus on the highest
probability areas and if they are unproductive, move on.
Perhaps, those fish will be there later.
BASS BEHAVIOR
Bass are generally lazy by nature and like most fishes – they exploit their habitat such that they expend as little energy as possible to get the biggest return. Further – bass behave largely as ambush feeders. Typically – it is the intersection of a maximization of cover/structure, availability of food, and feeding position.
Countless studies have documented in great detail feeding position in relation to habitat and it is often a larger/dominant fish or school thereof that will assume the dominant role in the “best” feeding location. Once they are finished – other species/ year classes move in behind them. Once again – it is that precise location where the most or best fish will be.
LOOKING FOR THE SPOT
Identifying the sweet spot is really a function of timing (daily, seasonal), conditions (weather/wind/tide), and habitat. Many of the key features that make a spot within a spot – are universal and they are generally similar within, and among, many bodies of water (of course forage, local conditions would play a role).
STRUCTURE/COVER/DEPTH
You need to find the that key piece of structure, cover or depth – that will really concentrate and hold fish to it.
The advancement of electronics has opened up an amazing opportunity for guys to really study fish behavior and in great detail where fish are holding relative to structure and cover.
The spot within a spot is usually something just a little different than the area around it – a little hump, slightly different type or size of rock, different type of vegetation, etc.
Our friend Greg Gutierrez put out one video from Shasta – where he was keying on narrow rock veins on points – that is a perfect example, and one that can be replicated in that body of water (see Figure 1).
TIMING
Not only are location and structure/cover features of fundamental elements for a spot within a spot – but timing is as well.