Casting and Positioning

Targeting your casts and positioning yourself correctly can make a very large difference in your success as an angler. Obviously, you’ll have better luck catching fish if you can sneak up on them. As soon as fish are aware of your presence, they are put on the defensive, and are less likely to strike. So, in order to avoid spooking the fish, know the conditions so that you can predict where the fish will be hanging before you pass through the best spots, ruining them.

Also, if you have an understanding of the seasonal habits of bass, then you can predict where they could be hanging, due to water temperature, cloud cover, wind, current, etc. For instance, bass tend to hang lower in the grass and sheltered areas when the water is cooler’ like in the morning, rising closer to the surface as the water temperature rises during the day. However, in order to protect their eyesight, they will often be found in the shaded areas when the bright sun is shining.

Knowing this, you can back off a little, and cast from further away when you think that the fish may be hanging near the surface, where they can be easily scared. Always be conscious of where your shadows fall. They can scare the fish just as much. Try to position yourself so that the sun is on the far side of the fish you are trying to cast to. This way, your shadows will fall behind you. If the sun glare makes it difficult to see the water, try using a pair of polarized sunglasses. They will cut out most of the glare and even allow you to see the fish in the water.

Another way to avoid have the fish spot you, is by positioning yourself so that you are casting into the wind. Usually, anglers try to cast with the wind, but this presents several problems. First, the fish tend to point their heads toward the wind so that they can see any approaching food, being carried by the current. So if you are on the other side, they won’t be looking in your direction. Second, the fish are looking for the food to be carried toward them with the natural flow of the water. It appears to be more realistic if you cast from behind them and bring the bait or lure toward the fish. They are not easily fooled, and if the food source is moving into the wind, it just doesn’t appear to be natural, and they won’t strike.

Next, before you cast, consider where the largest fish will be, analyzing the brush, cover, slope of the land etc. Target your casts to that area first. Don’t try to work across an area, because chances are, you’re first few casts will alert the larger, wiser fish to your presence and put them on the defensive. If you analyze the area before casting, and then hit the best spot first, you’ll improve your chances at surprising, and catching the large fish.