| Location…location…location! How many | | | | boulders and turns in the river are prime places to look |
| times have you heard that in real estate? It is said that | | | | for active smallmouth bass. Current can also be found |
| 80% of the fish are caught in 20% of the water. | | | | in lakes. Many large lakes can have current on windy |
| Where to fish is as important as where to build a | | | | days in the neck areas in channels or in between |
| house. | | | | islands. The current often times will push in baitfish for |
| One common theme to the diet of largemouth bass is | | | | an easy meal. There are times that the bass can be |
| that they take advantage of edges to capture their | | | | stacked in these areas on windy days. |
| prey. | | | | Structural edges: Bass will often establish a" pecking |
| There is also a rule that bass and all living predators | | | | order" on the prime structures. The prime structure |
| use. The energy used to catch food cannot be | | | | edges include fallen trees and logs, docks, bridges, |
| greater than the energy the food caught provides. If | | | | marinas etc. |
| the energy used to catch food is greater than that the | | | | Shade edges: Shade is one of the most overlooked |
| food provides, the predator will eventually die. | | | | edges of all. Docks, although a structure also provides |
| Edges come in many forms and nearly all will attract | | | | a shady area away from the sun. Trees also provide |
| and hold bass at one time or another. | | | | a shade edge. Early morning and evening can provide |
| Weed edges: Many forms of aquatic vegetation offer | | | | some of the best bass fishing in the day. One reason |
| prime bass habitat. Whether you are fishing the edges | | | | is the shade edge that is created by low sun angles |
| of lily pads, pondweed or milfoil, always look for the | | | | behind trees and the horizon. Just think how at night |
| "spot on the spot". The outer edges always seem to | | | | when you have the lights on in your house, it is harder |
| hold fish, but look for inside turns, breaks or weed | | | | to see out in the dark, but it is very easy to see from |
| points. Many times the inside weed edge is often | | | | a dark outside to a lighted home. These edges give |
| overlooked and can be very productive especially in | | | | the bass a very distinct advantage over their prey. |
| the morning and evening. The weed edges act as a | | | | If you can ever combine different types of edges into |
| place of ambush and a place of refuge for bass. Eat | | | | one area than you have your "A" spot for fishing. |
| and watch out so you're not eaten. | | | | Seeking these edges will provide you with an |
| Current edges: Smallmouth bass will seek areas in | | | | advantage on finding greater success on your next |
| rivers that serve as a ambush point but also a resting | | | | bass fishing trip. |
| point to expend as little energy as possible. Large | | | | |