Structure fishing is fundamental to consistent success. Understanding why fish relate to structure and how to fish it efficiently puts more fish in the boat.
What Is Structure
Structure is the shape of the bottom – contours, depth changes, points, humps, ledges, channels. Cover sits on structure but they’re different things. Structure positions fish in general areas; cover gives them specific spots within that area.
Why Fish Use Structure
Structure provides travel routes, ambush points, and depth options. Fish follow contours when moving. They stage on points and ledges. Depth changes let them access shallow feeding areas and deep sanctuary quickly.
Finding Structure
Electronics reveal underwater terrain. Contour maps show major features. Learning to read both takes practice but transforms your fishing. Without understanding structure, you’re fishing blind.
Key Features
Points extending into deep water concentrate fish. Creek channels serve as highways. Humps isolated from shore hold fish that never see lures. Secondary points – the smaller ones – often outproduce obvious primary points that everyone fishes.
Depth Transitions
Fish position on structure breaks where depth changes. A flat transitioning to a drop-off creates an edge fish patrol. Inside turns on contour lines often hold fish better than straight edges. Look for irregularities.
Seasonal Movements
Fish use different structure at different times. Shallow flats in spring, main lake structure in summer, creek channels in fall. Knowing which structure holds fish each season eliminates unproductive water.
Fishing Efficiency
Make multiple casts to good structure before moving. Fish different angles and depths. One pass rarely reveals everything. Work the spot thoroughly, then move to the next structural element and repeat.
