Where to Fish ...

We're going to mainly stick to freshwater fishing. We won't be covering all possibilities but we want to give you an overview of where to look for fish.

Shoreline structure like docks, stumps, trees, brush, rocks, logs provide fish with shelter, shade and protection. If you can find it, you should always fish structure. Structure includes: inlets, dams, points, sunken islands, reeds, weeds, docks, stumps, trees, brush, rocks, etc. Think of structure like this: Structure creates shallows, shallows causes faster plant growth, plant growth attracts bait fish, bait fish attracts the fish you want to catch.

Rocks

Rocks provide fish with shelter, food and a place to spawn. If the rocks are in deep water or near deep water don't overlook this spot.

Weed Beds

Weed beds provide food and shelter for bait fish. Larger fish eat bait fish. Look for weed beds that lead to deep water or that create a break line. Sometimes you may be fishing in or near a weed bed and see a large fish sitting or cruising the weed bed. Offer it something to eat.

Shore Banks and Steep Banks

Normally a very steep bank that goes straight into deep water doesn't attract fish. However, if there is an underwater shelf or slope, this would attract fish.

Points with Break Lines

Watch for points, which extend from the shoreline. Points that slope into deeper water are good places to watch.

Coves and Inside Curves

Inside curves are small inlets that cut into the shore. If the water is shallow or gets shallow, this is another spot to watch. A cove is a large inside curve, with more shoreline, more shallows, more protection and hopefully more fish.

Lily Pads and Surface Weeds

Lily pads and surface weeds usually attract bait fish. Remember, bait fish. attract bigger fish. These surface plants also provide shade. We'll always fish around these plants.

Shallow Water

The shallow water near shore usually provides structure and food. This attracts bait fish in for the plant food. The bait fish attracts game fish.

Sunken Objects

Always pay attention to sunken structure, including trees, branches, stumps, logs, rocks, etc. These all provide shelter, shade and protection for fish.

Piers and Docks

Piers and docks provide shelter along with shelter from the sun. Some piers and docks are in shallow water also, which is an added bonus for us.

Fish Cribs

Fish cribs are man made structures that are built and then sunken on lakes. These fish cribs provide structure, shelter and attract plant growth, which attracts bait fish, which attract game fish. You can sometimes find these on lake maps.

Outside Bends

Watch outside bends in rivers or streams. Faster water carries the food and usually moves to the outside of the bend. Look for fish in these bends.

Inlets

If you can find where there is an inlet on the lake or river you're fishing on, don't overlook this spot. Usually where there is an inlet (or an outlet, to some extent) there is more food.

Down-Wind Side

On windy days, the wind creates waves. Watch where these waves go. Try fishing the side of the lake that the waves reach the shore. When these waves move to shore they also carry food, which attract fish.