Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 02/27/2010: Pattern Fishing for Bass

I'm usually a spot fisherman, in other words when I catch a fish or two in a small area I'll stay and work it for hours or maybe even the entire day. This method often works if the area is a migration area or loaded with baitfish and cover. Sometimes this method just doesn't cut it especially when fish are scattered and roaming so the best way to catch them is to establish a pattern.

A pattern is a condition that repeats itself and in the case of catching largemouth there can be a multitude of different conditions. The key to establishing a pattern is to try the same condition on different spots and if they result in bites, you have just discovered a pattern.

Here's a couple of examples of patterns:

1- You have caught a fish on a Texas rigged plastic crawfish in 3 to 4 foot of water off a lily pad. You continue to work all water depths in the pad field but don't catch another until the craw is in the 3 to 4 foot range. There is definitely something going on in the 3 to 4 foot range on lily pads whether it's baitfish, water temperature or some other factor, it really doesn't matter the fish are working that depth in lily pads. So to further establish the pattern move to another pad field with similar water depths and stick to the 3 to 4 foot range. If you catch another fish you can be pretty sure that the pattern is a major one and can work throughout the lake/river system you are fishing.

2- On a reservoir system you catch a fish with a Carolina rigged worm on a drop from 10 foot to 20 foot where timber resides on the drop. You continue to catch fish in the area so to establish a pattern move to another area with the same conditions and repeat with the same lure. If you start to catch fish again, you have just established a pattern.

Pattern fishing is a great way to find new fish producing areas to put on your GPS. I personally use pattern fishing especially during prefishing to mark new areas. Sometimes I actually have to establish a pattern during the actual tournament and this can also be productive when your prefishing efforts don't pan out.

Give pattern fishing a try and you'll soon become a better angler and will be doing much more catching instead of fishing!

Until Next Week, Tight Lines!

The Largemouth Herald