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Fall 2024
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hook gives me the ability to get a solid hook up on the bass, while
Photo: Jace Peterson
it, or adding or removing shells on it.
still being small as to not affect
All these things are specific
the action of the bait.
things to look for when fishing
Being able to make a long
sand flats on a river system, and
cast, and see my line start to
why every time you are out, you
move when the bass picks up
may need to relocate, your sweet
the bait is a lot easier when
spot on a given sand flat.
using a high visibility line. I’ll
spool up with the Seaguar Flash Green Smackdown Braided line as my main line in the 20-pound
SURFACE ATTRACTANTS
test and connect it to three to four-foot of 10-pound-test
One of my favorite ways to fish sand on a river system
Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon. This set up has the
for both largemouth and smallmouth is with a topwater
strength and castability I need for my main line; while giving plug. Topwater lures not only allow you to mimic the
me the finesse and low profile needs of the leader that is
baitfish that bass are pushing up on the sand to eat, but
down in the water closer to my bait.
they allow you to cover a lot of water and identify potential
sweet spots along a sand flat or point that a school of bass
FINDING COMMON GROUND
is grouped up on.
My go-to topwater is a walk-the-dog style plug, like a
Regardless of the size of the river, it is very likely that
Heddon Super Spook, Evergreen Shower Blow, or a Super
you’ll be able to find and fish sand for bass on that river
Spook Jr, if the bass want a more compact presentation.
system. On large rivers, like the Mississippi, sand is a very
With any of these baits, I’ll make a cast upstream and
common thing. Sand is pushed around by the natural
slowly walk it across the surface of the water, working it
current of the river, as well as the current from the large
back to me with the current and over the sand flat. This will
tugboats that move up and down the river.
give the bait a natural look, just as if a baitfish was caught in
Since sand is a very common thing on a river, I like to
the current and being washed over the sand.
fish sand in areas that also act as congregation areas for
bass to position and feed, this is especially true in the fall as bass will be putting on the fall feedbag.
BOTTOM TEMPTATIONS
The first places I like to look for sand are on islands, and
At times bass that are feeding on sand will shut down
more specifically, either the upstream or downstream point. and won’t chase topwater anymore. When this happens,
Current dictates when you fish either of these
I like dragging something along the bottom to put the bait
island points. If the current is strong, then the protected
where the bass are holding. This is likely just off the sand
downstream point is where I would start making casts. If
in slightly deeper water. In this situation, many anglers will
the current isn’t as strong,
drag a Carolina-Rig, and I will
and the bass are wanting the current to push more
Photo: Jace Peterson
do this too, but I like to show the bass something different
food into their face, then the
and drag a small football jig.
upstream point is a good
A small football jig when
place to start looking.
drug along the bottom may
Like fishing sand flats
look like a crawfish, or if you
on a lake, sand flats on
hop it, it may catch the bass’
a river system are likely
attention. I like to throw the
going to be located between
Northland Fishing Tackle Elite
other key fishing areas,
Series Finesse Football Head
such as points, in the
Jig, with a cut down Zoom UV
mouth of a slough, or on
Speed Craw as the trailer. This
the downstream side of an
compact football jig packs a
above-mentioned island.
powerful punch, and will tempt
The difference between
even the most pressured, or
sand flats on a lake and a
inactive bass into biting.
river, on rivers, they move!
When you head out this
Yes, sand flats on a river
fall on your next fishing trip,
system will move, this is
be sure to be on the lookout
because the current will
for sand, as these fall bass
take that sand and move it,
will be on the sand, just like
or change its composition,
the pleasure boaters were on
either by making it cleaner,
a sand beach soaking up the
adding or removing grass on
sun during the summer. •