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Structure
How does structure play a role in
fishing patterns? Should people look for stumps, man made
attractors, foundations/culverts/road beds, or other submerged
structures?
First, let's define “structure” and
“cover” because they are two totally separate entities that both affect
fishing.
Structure is basically defined
as the earth under the water. That is
The bottom of the lake and the composition and topographical nature of
that bottom. Some examples are “rocky point”, “mud flat”, “pea
gravel bank”, “road bed”, etc.
Cover is defined as that which
provides cover or a hiding place for
Fish. Examples of this would be “brush piles”, “stake beds”,
“laydowns”, “grass”, “docks”, etc.
Both of these things are very
important to the angler. Many times the structure, or type of
composition or topographical nature of the bottom, dictates which areas
are of a higher percentage to catch certain types of fish during
different times of the year, or under certain water or weather
conditions during the year.
One would not expect to find any
number of bass on an underwater point ledge on the main lake during the
first week of May. The bass are spawning at that time and they
will be located most likely on a shallow gravel flat.
So you see it is imperative that the
angler know the seasonal patterns of the fish they are seeking and the
types of structure they will seek during the different seasons.
Cover is pretty much something an
angler is always seeking for most game fish. All predatory and
prey fresh water fish relate to some kind of cover during most of the
season. So finding cover in the areas they are fishing is just as
important as to what type structure they are fishing.
The magic combination of course is to
find the right structure and cover combination for the species you are
seeking during whatever time of year you are fishing.
When fishing ledges during the summer
months Patrick Hahs' maps (KentuckyHydroGraphx.com)
provide everything one needs to find the underwater topographical
structure mentioned here, including cover. When one uses his side
scan maps in conjunction with his topographical maps and a working
knowledge of GPS, it will assist the angler in finding these areas.
More Fishing 101:
Preface
Elev., Current,
Water Temps
Weather Patterns
Night vs. Day &
Astronomy
Bank & Dock
Fishing
Kentucky vs.
Barkley
Structure
Definitions of
Fishing Terms
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Crappie
White Bass
Catfish
Bluegill
Sauger
Credits:
Written by Dave Stewart,
Bass Buster Guide
Service
Edited by Shawn Dunnaway
Fishing 101 may not be reproduced or reprinted and is provided
exclusively by ExploreKentuckyLake.com
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