®
Winter 2023
M
ost any bass angler knows that bass love boat
docks. They are likely on any body of water a
bass fisherman will visit, and at some point, during the fishing season, boat docks will hold bass. But,
what about the shoreline behind those boat docks, or the
channels connecting one area of the lake to another?
What I am talking about are seawalls. These areas can
get overlocked because the “juicy” boat docks are blocking
them.
SEAWALL FUNCTION
Many times, seawalls are located on the shoreline behind or in between docks to help prevent boat wakes and wind from eroding the homeowner’s shoreline, or the seawalls are there to preserve the structural integrity of the land it is holding behind it.
These concrete or metal vertical structures offer some great structure for bass to hold on.
WHATS THE ATTRACTION FOR BASS
The prime reason bass will set up along seawalls is that they provide an easy ambush point for them, because they can corner bait up against the hard structure.
Because these man-made structures will accumulate algae growth on them, baitfish will be attached, along with smaller fish feeding on them, so these seawalls act as a food creation device for bass.
SEASONAL REASONS
Depending on the time of year, the bass will use these seawalls for varying reasons.
Right now, when the water temps are cold, the sun will heat up these structures and make the water near it warmer. During the spring, if there is an area for a bass to build a bed at the base of the seawall and the water isn’t too deep, they will.
During the summer months, like I mentioned above bait will congregate around these seawalls and bass don’t want to miss out on an easy meal.
THEY ARE NOT ALL CREATED EQUAL
To an angler’s eye, the above the water section of seawalls will likely all look very similar, so that is why breaking down and understanding what is below the waterline along these seawalls is key to establish a possible pattern.
Looking for any irregularities on the seawall itself is my first task. I look for features such as a corner, or section that has blown or bowed out some, as it creates a point or current break for a bass to sit behind and grab an easy meal.
The same goes if you spot a hole or indentation in the seawall. Bass will back up into these holes, waiting for a meal delivery, as they emerge from the shadows.
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