8 replies to this topic

[soopd]

I fish a lake that has tons of bluffs. Are these areas good structure during summer months?

[K_Mac]

Probably. All bluffs are not created equal though. Find a bluff that has some irregular shelves, cuts, or some other type of structural changes or cover of some sort like wood or grass, and you increase your chances. Places where the old channel comes close to the bluff, and any more shallow areas nearby can be great summer spots. Any sort of transition areas along the bluff is a spot of interest. My home lake has some great summer spots along the channel. The main lake depth is about 40' deep along the bluffs. When I find 12'-25' depths close to the wall, I know I am on to something. Sometimes a small patch of green along the wall will indicate a little shelf, and you don't want to miss carefully working that spot.

A good map can be very helpful in finding places that are likely to hold fish. It can take some time both on the water and off to locate prime spots, but the effort may pay off in the biggest fish on the lake. Good luck.

[Nitrofreak]

Probably. All bluffs are not created equal though. Find a bluff that has some irregular shelves, cuts, or some other type of structural changes or cover of some sort like wood or grass, and you increase your chances. Places where the old channel comes close to the bluff, and any more shallow areas nearby can be great summer spots. Any sort of transition areas along the bluff is a spot of interest. My home lake has some great summer spots along the channel. The main lake depth is about 40' deep along the bluffs. When I find 12'-25' depths close to the wall, I know I am on to something. Sometimes a small patch of green along the wall will indicate a little shelf, and you don't want to miss carefully working that spot.

A good map can be very helpful in finding places that are likely to hold fish. It can take some time both on the water and off to locate prime spots, but the effort may pay off in the biggest fish on the lake. Good luck.

X10, very nice post !!!

[soopd]

Thanks for the replies. I went out this afternoon and fished a stretch of bluff for 3 hrs. I caught 14 fish and 11 of
Them were smallmouth. I noticed I caught the majority of the fish on irregular features like you said. Thanks

[K_Mac]

Way to go soopd! Some of those spots will likely produce fish all year long.

[nice_Bass]

Probably. All bluffs are not created equal though. Find a bluff that has some irregular shelves, cuts, or some other type of structural changes or cover of some sort like wood or grass, and you increase your chances. Places where the old channel comes close to the bluff, and any more shallow areas nearby can be great summer spots. Any sort of transition areas along the bluff is a spot of interest. My home lake has some great summer spots along the channel. The main lake depth is about 40' deep along the bluffs. When I find 12'-25' depths close to the wall, I know I am on to something. Sometimes a small patch of green along the wall will indicate a little shelf, and you don't want to miss carefully working that spot.

A good map can be very helpful in finding places that are likely to hold fish. It can take some time both on the water and off to locate prime spots, but the effort may pay off in the biggest fish on the lake. Good luck.

Kincaid?

[Bluebasser86]

I love fishing bluffs. A good bluff will almost always have some fish on it. If it has good cover up shallow it's a good place for a fish because they can move laterally in the water colum quickly if they feel threatened and it's a great place for them to push baitfish towards to make them easier to catch.

[K_Mac]

Nice_Bass the lake I consider my home lake is Cedar, just down the road from Kincaid. I LOVE both lakes and have fished Kincaid a lot lately, including today. When it comes to bluffs Cedar is the clear winner for me, although much of what I know about fishing bluffs I learned on Kincaid. If I had to spend the rest of my life fishing only those two lakes, I would be fine with it. I enjoy fishing new water, but I am home on either one. It looks like you live in the area. Pm me if you want to get together and see if any of this stuff actually works...

[nice_Bass]

I used to live in the area- Now I am about 3.5 hours north...I still get down there from time to time however and will let you know- very jealous of you though- loved those lakes!