Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 08/22/09: Fish the Current for Active Bass

Current fishing can be an effective way to catch bass especially in the summer. The reasons that current attracts largemouth are many but the most important ones are:

a- Current stirs and oxygenates the water.

b- Current attracts baitfish.

c- Current often brings in cooler water.

So now that you know the reasons let's discuss how to locate active current areas. The most obvious ones are creeks and rivers that enter or leave a lake or reservoir. These areas can be found using Google maps or other satellite view mapping tools. So when you venture onto a new lake, get a birds eye view and even print out the map for those difficult to find current sources.

Another source of current is an open dam on a reservoir. When reservoirs start to drawdown due to high levels or energy demands, this develops current throughout the reservoir system. Often a horn is sounded when the dam's flood gates open and this can be a real clue that the fish are about to become very active due to the current being produced.

Finally wind driven currents can also oxygenate the water. Look for these type of situations especially when wind is funneled into a vegetation cut or any canals that may enter the lake.

OK, so we now know how to find current sources so how do you fish it. My personal preference is to cast upstream into the current and work the lure back with the current. Cast to either visible cover or submerged cover and try to get as close as possible to these structures. Bass often lie waiting in ambush behind these current breaks but won't travel too far to attack the bait.

Crankbaits and plastic worms are very effective lures to use in current. Work the crankbaits deep to try to bump the bottom. Plastics worms need to be worked slow/steady with the current and just maintaining enough tension on the line to detect a strike.

So next time you go out on a summer fishing trip and can't seem to get bit, look for current and you just may find that magic honey hole.

Tight Lines,

The Largemouth Herald