Winter 2023
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FINDING ‘EM
You can identify stretches of the lake or river that have seawalls with a Humminbird FishSmart App. You can zoom in, see the makeup of the shoreline, and then overlay the depth contours to see the depths along the seawalls.
On the water, I like to do this by using my LakeMaster Plus chips in my Humminbird units, which allow me to see a satellite image of the lake and have my depth contours shown over that image.
Another visible characteristic to look for is h a drainage line running from the property into the lake. These drainage lines serve several purposes.
It will introduce current into the area. It can wash gravel or sand into it, creating a hard bottom area next to the seawall. It can create a hole from where the stream of water washes out a deeper section of the lake bottom.
These subtle changes can be the key in where bass will sit along that seawall, and these can be the not so obvious traits that make a given seawall better than another.
Difference makers can also be a channel swing or ditch that runs into, or along that seawall.
These seawalls that have a “highway” for bass to swim along will bring new bass along that seawall throughout the day.
Another standout to consider is that overhanging trees or canopies from adjacent boat docks can cast their shade onto a seawall at different times during the day. These shade opportunities can entice a bass that is holding along the seawalls to become more active and feed.
TIP: As you identify a key seawall, make a mental note, or save it in the notes of your waypoint, You can even include when there is shade present on that section for a future trip.
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Photo: Tyler Mohr