What would you consider to be deep water and shallow. The majority of the water I fish is shallow like 4 to 5ft one of the other spots is 12ft at the deepest. So is 12ft considered deep and should I use "deep water" presentations like a c rig or is 12 ft still kinda shallow.

First, I think you have to look at the entire body of water as a whole. Is there deeper water than the 12 ft range you mentioned? Secondly, it sounds like you want to only apply certain techniques to certain areas. Don't pigeon hole yourself. Be open to all scenarios at any depth!!

Its a river so yeah the whole system is at the deepest 12ft for a short stretch its a narrow river at that maybe 30ft wide lined with tree after tree after tree down in the water. Early summer late spring I was hitting the trees calling the shot id pick a bass every pitch of the jig now there's no bass anywhere it seems. The other spot I fish is avg 30ft deepest 60 ft but i v only fished it maybe 3 times this year because u need a boat. But I mainly fish 2 rivers both close just ones deeper with a muddy bottom and trees for cover the other is shallower with some deep spots and all rocks loaded with smallies.

Deep water is all relative to the body of water you are on or even to the area of the lake you are fishing. If you aren't catching them in the shallows then try deep, but don't automatically go to the deepest spot on the lake. Start with the first deeper area then work out towards the deepest spot in the area. This is usually the channel of a creek or in a river it will be the outside bend in the channel or a protected cut leading to an oxbow.

Choose your lure or rig according to what is in front of you. Don't have a pre-conceived idea of what you are going to throw all day long. Certain lures and rigs are better suited for deep cover and some are better for shallow cover. Most of the time it depends on what the angler prefers.

Let me put it this way. I treat each day on the lake like I've never been there before. This prevents me from fishing history. I let the conditions, time of year dictate where I'm going that day. I don't choose a lure or rig because I think it will catch fish. Every lure in my boat will catch a bass. I choose a lure or rig according to what it is I'm casting to. Deep, shallow, wood, rock, grass, flat, or ledge will all have more of a factor on what I choose to fish with then the fish. Now, once I get a bite I will adjust and play around a little but that's about it. I catch fish almost every time I'm out because I fish each spot the most efficiently and effectively that I can. For example, if I'm running the bank with shallow crankbait and I come up to a stump. I make a couple of cast to the stump with my crank and then grab my jig or jig head worm and make five or six more casts. If I catch a fish on that stump I will start paying more attention to isolated cover and stop most of my time burning the bank. I will still be casting a spinnerbait or crank between isolated cover but I will spend alot more time on the stumps.

It's depends on the lake that your on. The lake I fish on I've caught fish in 60ft of water. When I get in 10ft or less I consider that shallow. But I've fish Arkansas river backwater were I herd people talk about the fish are on deep ledges about 12 to15ft of water. But I personally hate deep water like we got here. My lakes are clear and deep make for some hard days of fishing in the summer. But I'm still new at it but I'm getting better at it. But back to the ? I consider 25ft deep but I have read from pros that anything over 10ft is deep.

Shallow or deep water is relevant to the area being fished at the time

If I’m fishing deep water structure where a hump tops out at 15’ and the surrounding water is 45’ then that hump is located in shallow water.

By the same token if I’m fishing a flat the bottoms out at 10’ but a cut runs through it that bottoms out a 15’ and this is where the bass are located then the bass are deep.

Shallow or deep water is relevant to the area being fished at the time

If I’m fishing deep water structure where a hump tops out at 15’ and the surrounding water is 45’ then that hump is located in shallow water.

By the same token if I’m fishing a flat the bottoms out at 10’ but a cut runs through it that bottoms out a 15’ and this is where the bass are located then the bass are deep.

Well said!