What to Look for to Find River Bass

When dams are built along river systems, often you’ll find areas of backwaters, which are shallow areas that have been flooded, and may connect lakes and river systems together. These shallow areas are usually warm, and have lots of underwater timber, grass and other cover that promote bass populations.

Bass spawning will occur in the shallow backwaters (maybe in waters that are 1 to 3 feet deep) during the spring months, and after the spawn, many bass will retreat to deeper areas of the backwaters, or will go into the nearby cuts. But if the water level is maintained, bass will stay in these areas through the summer.

If you can find a power plant, or other manufacturing facility along the riverside that perhaps uses the river water to cool machinery, you may have hit the jackpot. Especially if the surrounding water is cooler, bass will congregate very near the dump off point for the plant, where the water is warm.

Tips for River Bass Fishing

Now that you have some ideas of where the fish will be, work them with the appropriate lures. For the shallow backwater areas during the spawn, work topwater plugs or buzzbaits. If you are in a cut, or a drop off point, consider using a crankbait or worm to get down to where the fish are.

Here’s the key. Look for the break points, or where the change occurs between the bottom structure or cover. For example, if you are in a cut, look for a sandbar or a break in the current, and fish right along that point. If you are fishing cover areas, work your bait in between and as close as you can to the cover, as the bass will normally be hiding under the cover, waiting for bait fish to come by, so they can ambush them.

If you are stream bass fishing, look for current changes, and deep holes in the stream. Again, fish the edge of the change in current, and fish the edges of the deep holes, as the bass will use the points to ambush their food. So that’s a basic look at stream and river bass fishing, so let me know how you do! Leave me a comment at the bottom of this page…

Ponds and Tanks

Whether natural or man made, when you have a small, shallow body of water full of natural habitat, cover, and bass…you are sure to be “shooting fish in a barrel”. I love tank fishing. I remember a contact we had growing up who had a bass tank that was full of ridiculously sized bass! It was awesome catching 3 lbs + bass on small spinner baits in this bass loaded tank. What a rush!

Man Made Lakes

Also known as reservoirs, these lakes are typically created to control flooding. These lakes may also provide a reliable source of water to communities and farmers. Again, lakes with plenty of submerged trees, rocks, etc. will yield greater chances for catching bass. Warmer, shallower lakes tend to be better as well.

Natural Lakes

Just like man made lakes, look for natural lakes that are fairly shallow, have plenty of weeds, rocks and cover, and set sail. Warmer water is better, but don’t be afraid to try cooler lakes that still have good bass habitat. You won’t regret it.

Streams, Rivers & Estuaries

These locations can also be a great place to catch bass. Look for slow moving water that has all the same submerged cover for bass, and you will be looking at a great opportunity. You’ll also be able to find good bass populations in the brackish waters of estuaries, where the mouth of a river meets the ocean. Bass can survive and even thrive in this mixed salt water and fresh water type environment.

Now exactly where to find fish within a body of water? Well I will address that in my next bass fishing article. Just stay tuned and continue checking this blog for more information.

The bottom line for bass fishing waters is shallow, warm, slow moving bodies of water with lots and lots of cover for bass to hide in. It is often difficult to fish these types of waters, because of always having to deal with getting your bait stuck in weeds, rocks or tree branches; but to catch fish, you have to go where they are! That’s why a lot of bass fisherman use worms or other weedless lure setups to ensure the best odds of catching fish, while NOT getting tangled in the habitat.

Stay tuned for more…