Hi I am new to bass fishing and reading maps.  I was told to look for the biggest flat on the lake and start there but I don't know what to look for when finding a flat on a map.  If you could help me that would be great.

Thanks,

Jenga

Jenga. a large flat is any location where the contour lines are far apart.

The bass also need some cover on the flat to concentrate them. Also they are not always on the flats. Bass location depends on time of year, weather, wind and many other variables with the most important out side of time of year is bass food.

There is a book named "Catching Bass with Maps" that you might find helpful but I would suggest an In-Fisherman book on largemouth or smallmouth as being more helpful.

NBR, Do you know the the author of "catching bass with maps"  I am interested in looking into this book.  

Jason

Thanks, I would also like to know the author.

thanks,

Jenga

Using your contour chart to find the widest divergences between the shoreline and 4-ft depth-line is an "excellent" first step!

What you're actually doing is isolating the lake's most expansive food-shelves and therefore pinpointing the lake areas

with the best forage base and nursery grounds (population dynamics).

Your next step would be just the reverse, you'll be looking for depth-line convergences, which I normally call "compression points".

For example, spots where the 4 & 8 ft depth-lines nearly touch together (i.e. drop-offs).

When a compression point adjoins the perimeter of a broad food-shelf it provides bass with quick access to different depth levels

and a year-round site.

After all is said and done, "contour" cannot take the place of "cover".

Ultimately you'll need to conduct an onsite survey to evaluate the current plant situation.

You can't depend on any chart to provide current botanical identification

of submergent, surface and emergent vegetation. Just as well, it's fun to identify every plant type you encounter,

which can only add to the total fishing experience.

Roger