Section: ontario-bassin
Bill RiversBass: Shallow & Shady Characters |
| In shallow water and around heavy cover, stealth is absolutely essential to success. The use of an electric motor, minimizing noise in the boat, the accurate and splashless placement of baits will all contribute to more consistent catches of shallow, shade-oriented bass. In approaching a shallow-water area, work your way "in" to progressively shallower water and heavier cover. Work good-looking spots over repeatedly, determinedly, with different baits as necessary. If a fish "blows up" on a bait but misses it, follow up with a high-percentage bait like a Texas-rigged plastic worm or Carolina-rigged plastic lizard. Once an area has been disturbed by a thrashing bass or boat activities, move on and return later. Fishing in heavy cover calls for stout baitcasting gear and heavy line. Hooksets must be fast and powerful, and bass must be forcibly pulled from the cover or else they will be lost in a tangle of weeds and timber. |  |
 | At the worst of times, bass fishing is challenging; at the best of times, it is exciting. And, the very best bass fishing consistently comes from the shallow and shaded areas where fish can best meet their needs for both cover and food. Systematically fishing shallow and shady areas on any good bass lake will regularly put anglers in touch with plenty of bass. This season, fish your favourite lake from a different perspective, keeping in mind that, by nature, bass are shallow and shady characters. |