Shallow water fishing is not exclusively about beating the bank to froth

I've read here and on several other web sites that the bait fish seek shoreline cover each night which is true depending on the size of the body of water. Shallow offshore structure and its cover attract and hold bait fish just like bank shallow structure and cover.  

We have to keep in mind that bass must feed efficiently (maximize food intake and minimize energy output) so with this tiny tidbit of information in mind it would not be efficient for bass to swim to and from the bank daily.

As for the distant bass will travel to and from feeding areas I don't think anyone knows with any kind certainty; what I mean by this is do not try to confine bass to an actual distance.

On the flip side structure fishing is not exclusively about deep water

Even when I'm fishing the shoreline I'm looking for structure and not just aimlessly wondering down the shoreline. Again remember there must be a visible path of breaks and break lines on structure from deep water all the way to the bank, this is where the bulk of food is available to game fish.

Good post Tommy. Probably the entire shoreline will hold small bass, but only certain areas attract larger bass.

Strikes me bass become active around structure (shoreline attached or not) when they have a hunting advantage -appropriate sky and water conditions.

As to distance they travel: Telemetry shows it varies depending on particular fish' needs. They can navigate over great distances as shown in some waters by radio-tagged tournament bass quickly returning home over surprising distances.

But it I think it would be safe to say that most bass are not great travelers.

I do alot of fishing where a boat shouldn't be, I usually have to push myself out with an oar, but I catch alot of quality bass at daybreak there with pier boy specials. When I release the fish, instead of it heading for deep water or cover, they usually dart 20-30 feet from the boat, and sit. Is this usual, or territorial? I ask because for the next 5 years, my lake will be 20' lower than normal pool.

10 foot or less is my strength day or night sunny or cloudy. known this since i was kneehigh to a tadpole .

I certainly agree with Catt, whether you're fishing shallow or deep you must isolate the 'sweet spots'.

Particularly on windy days, it's wise to leave the river anchor resting on the deck within easy reach,

to prevent wasting precious time combing dead water.

The distance that bass travel is well known on natural lakes, but not well known on artificial impoundments.

Several decades ago, telemetry studies conducted by In-Fisherman in a natural lake, confirmed that the majority

of bass moved only slightly or not at all. They also encountered a few rouge fish that crossed the entire lake

for no explicble reason. One thing that all fish demonstrated however was "constant depth",

where all travel tended to follow a contour line rather than run square to the depth lines.

More recent studies on natural lakes have disclosed similar results.

Roger

how shallow are we talking? Because I catch big fish in two to three foot of water year round in the lakes around here, even after the spawn.

Shallow water is relevant to your body of water

When the term I'm catching them shallow is heard most anglers head straight for the bank, when I'm catching them shallow may mean 15' of water a mile offshore. Within the circle of anglers I hang with we designate shoreline fishing as Dirt Shallow, another words we can hit dry land with a cast.

What about a small island -away from shore? :) ;D

I refer back to what RoLo mentioned whether you're fishing shallow or deep you must isolate the 'sweet spots'.

Islands are easily misread by looking at the overall shape instead of reading it with your electronics.  I know of a particular island on the Big Pond that is misread by 98% of the anglers who fish it simply because the look at overall shape and its relationship to the shore some 200 yards behind it.

They assume it is the end of a point that formed an island when the lake was flooded; they are correct but years of wave action changed the overall shape of the island. The actual underwater ridge forming the end of this island turns 90 degrees to the end of the dry shoreline and is completely oblivious to the everyday angler who never encircles it reading his electronics.