Page 34 - Lady Bass Digital Magazine Classic 2022

Structure vs Cover Points- These are the tips of high spots with deeper water
on both sides. Points are also the most overfished pieces of
This is probably not the first article you have read or seen structure on any lake and for good reason. They are some
discussing structure and cover. It likely will not be the last. of the most consistent fish holding structures available.
I remember in my early days of fishing that a guide told There are typically two types of points: Main Lake and Sec-
me to look at the terrain of an area as I was driving to the ondary. Main lake points are points on the main lake or at
lake. That terrain will give me some ideas of what the lake the mouth of major creeks. Main lake points are better for
I am about to fish will look like underwater. When you summer and winter fishing. Secondary points are points in
really stop and think about it, he was exactly right. Being a creek arm. These secondary points are better for fall and
a visual learner, it helped me to get a sense of things. Early prespawn fishing times of the year.
on, I would look at multiple paper maps to provided added
information. As things progressed, I added Google Earth
to my tools. Now with the advent of technology, I can see
what is down there! That being said, it is important that an
angler have an understanding of the features and how they
can impact your day on the water.

In short, structure is the lay of the land before it was flood-
ed. The hills, ditches, humps, slopes, ponds, pond dams,
creek channels and any other thing that makes up the
contour changes on the lakes bottom. Some are obvious,
some of less obvious and some are totally overlooked by Creek Bends- These are places in a creek where it turns
the majority of anglers on the water. or “bends”. Usually, the outside bend has a harder bottom
because of the flow of the water. These hard bottom areas
are key areas to find fish.
Structures

Ledges- A drop off from shallow to deep water with a
60–90-degree angle of decent. Ledges can run long dis-
tances and appear as contour lines that are very close
together representing that steep drop.

Flats- Flats are areas of a lake that is uniform in depth and
structural makeup. Size also varies from less than a half-
acre to a mile or more in length. We typically things of
flats as being relatively shallow areas. Say between 3-10 feet
deep. These can be found close to the shore or out in the
Creeks- Channels that run into the lake or into another middle of a lake.
creek or river channel. These are often full of cover and
make great ambush points for feeding bass. These are also
the most overlooked structures on any body of water.

32 Lady Bass Anglers Association
Structure vs Cover