Bass Enthusiast - Fishing Channels

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Fishing Channels

River and creek channels are the subway systems of our lakes, streams, reservoirs, and ponds. Take a look at these tips to catch some lunkers in this great fishing spot.

Fishing in Channels

River and creek channels are the subway systems of our lakes, streams, reservoirs, and ponds. These channels are the "roads" which largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass take while traveling. Due to this attribute, they harbor some of the heaviest concentrations of fish in any body type of water. However for most anglers channels remain a largely underutilized and misunderstood area.

Channels seem to be the exclusive properties of the most experienced bass anglers who have developed skills with electronics and deep water techniques to exploit them. Since most of us are not professional fishermen who have access to the latest technologies we have compiled a list of tricks which will help all anglers in this area.

Creek Channels

Stick to creek channels over river channels since they are almost like small river systems in their own right. A good creek channel in a big lake is like a body of water. A big creek within an impoundment has everything that you need to look for when you are trying to catch a fish. It has deep water, shallow water, a flat and some drop-offs. Depending on the cover that is available to you, there can be anything from lay downs to lily pads to rocks and bounders.

Bends

The most experienced anglers know that the turns in a river or creek channel are routinely more productive than straight sections of the underwater passageway. Usually the inside bend is more fruitful than the outside bend as it seems like the fish relate to this area. However in times of cold weather bass seem to like the outside bend so ensure you check those areas if you are fishing in the cold weather.

Species

Largemouth and smallmouth bass usually will be positioned differently on a creek or river channel ledge. It depends on the species you are fishing fir. If there are two points or a ditch coming off the main channel the down current side will almost always be the one the large mouth will be on. However smallmouth tends to be in the heaviest current they can possibly find and this is also the same with spotted bass.

Moving

IF you are on a smaller creek that has a lot of bends in it you are going to need to cover some territory with either crank bait or a Carolina rig. Bass may not be in every creek bend, so if you do not get anything after 10 or 15 minutes you should move along to the next spot.

Boat Position

When it come s to boat positioning, always keep you boat on the edge of the channel break and cast parallel to it. The only time which this is different is during the winter when you should sit in the channel and cast to the shallower top. Always try to look ahead especially if there is visible cover and anticipate what's coming. If you don't you run the risk of getting your boat too close before you have a chance to cast. IF you see two or three good spots coming up real close together, slow down so that while you are fishing the first one, your boat does not run over the next two and spooking the bass.

Isolation

Isolated cover, like a forgotten stump or a signal brush pile planted by a crappie fisherman, can be an important element on a channel edge. If you are in an area where the creek channel has two or three branches or splits or bends, this area is usually not as productive as the stretches with one bend and no branches. Too much structure of the same type tends to scatter the bass outwards. In that ways, channels are no different than abundant rocks, stumps, or weeds. To search for such channel hotspots, select a single section of the channel and spend time studying it, then once you have an idea begin to track down the bass living in the area.