Work smarter not harder
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Fall 2020
Figure 1: Two substrate types coming together fish tend to hold on the edge
Lake Oroville
Some spots are seasonal, some daily, and some tidally influenced. Learning timing is partially a function of spending time on the water and learning the timing – but understanding the larger seasonal behavioral patterns will help you establish a baseline from which to refine your understanding.
For example, on Clear Lake there are some offshore reef/rock piles that hold higher concentrations of fish during distinct periods of the year, but fish are far less abundant the remainder of the year.
SEASONAL TIMING
Your overriding timing is seasonal – that is fish will concentrate and behave predictably based upon the season. That sweet spot in spring – may not be productive any other season.
For example, the transitional rock pile halfway back a spawning cove on Berryessa might have a few magical weeks in the spring – but otherwise, will be good for a few dinks the rest of the year.
DAILY TIMING
Daily timing plays its biggest role during the warmer months where we see the biggest swings in diel behavior of both bass and bait fish.
The best example is on foothill reservoirs where bait fish are up shallow early in the morning and often driven by
prevailing winds. This is typically very consistent for spotted bass that will school up and feed. This goes back to seasonal timing – you will need to know if/when bait fish are hanging out. The window for these areas is usually brief – and often long gone by the time the sunlight hits the water. Conversely – daily afternoon wind patterns often can set up spots as well.
TIDAL TIMING
Anyone fishing tides really understands how critical timing the tide for a spot to be sweet.
It is often a narrow window on either end of the tidal cycle, and it may only last an hour or two. (or even less).
Or, be a function of tidal height. Knowing where the sweet spots are will help maximize your time fishing these areas and hopefully hitting several in a tidal cycle to maximize your haul.
CONDITIONS
One of my favorite condition patterns to fish is shade lines and mud lines. The baits and locations (points vs walls, etc.) will vary by season, but the fish will consistently use the shade.
I prefer locations where there is a narrow shade line – close to the bank. Particularly in foothill reservoirs – spots will sit right on that shade line. You can go point-to-point and fish a short stretch – and they will be in the exact spot on every point.
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