The latest generation of electronic tools has put the spotlight on suspended bass . But what are we learning about bass on deep structure — those schools of lunkers living on the ledge ?
H
ead-to-head face-offs with suspended openwater bass through the medium of forwardfacing sonar ( FFS ) dominate dock discussion today . But , don ’ t expect veteran tournament anglers to forsake their down- or side-scanning systems any time soon . Nor are they likely to abandon those schools of bass still hugging mid-lake bottom structure .
“ The problem with any type of electronics is that if you rely on it exclusively , it can negatively impact your fishing ,” says Jacob Wheeler , the Tennessee-based pro with milestone accomplishments at every stage of his still-young angling career . “ Forward-facing sonar electronics are great , but they don ’ t show us everything that ’ s down there . You still have to fish what looks good .”
And what has “ looked good ” to seasoned anglers since the days of the Lowrance Green Box looks even better today in the high-def world of modern marine electronics . As long as bass are bass , many will be “ living on the ledge ,” using breaklines , points , grass edges and the other structural elements of reservoirs and natural lakes as need and convenience permit .
Ledge enlightenment
Locating concentrations of bass on offshore ledges and other deep structure was once the hallmark of a seasoned pro , the savvy veteran . For a generation of fishermen who have taken to bass fishing in the video game era , hunting for offshore points , ledges and rock piles with the hope that they house aggregates of big bass may seem a tediously roundabout — if not archaic — manner of finding fish .
After all , why look for structure that might hold fish when you can “ flashlight ” fish directly with FFS ?
“ Bass are notorious for their ability to hide , to put themselves in ambush positions , which is why side-scan and down-scan viewing is so impactful in offshore bass fishing during summer ,” Wheeler says . “ Your side-scan allows you to see shadows or a white dot when bass are positioned tightly along the bottom where forward-facing sonar is not as effective . When fish are suspended , you ’ re almost exclusively relying on FFS technology .”
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By Mike Pehanich
“ You wouldn ’ t think of a deep-diving crankbait working hand-in-hand with FFS . But , I use it to trigger a bite , and it has been very effective .”
The mix of electronic tools at the bows of bass boats today have become continuous sources of enlightenment . One of the revelations of FFS has been the surprising degree to which bass are prone to suspend .
“ The biggest thing I have learned with forward-facing sonar is that there are a lot more fish spread throughout the water column ,” says Mark Rose , who has successfully mined offshore structure for tournament-winning fish for most of his career . “ Before , we thought that bass were on the bottom most of the time , and that if we didn ’ t catch any , the fish weren ’ t there . FFS has shown us that a lot of fish migrate with bait and just suspend – just hang in the water column . Whether they ’ re prespawn females soaking their eggs in the sun , feeding schools or just traveling packs , they ’ re catchable !”
MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | JUNE-JULY 2023