Following as fish transition from early season spawning areas to their summer locations.
Diving a brush pile offers a first-hand look at what takes place on, and around, deeper structure as fish transition from early season spawning areas to their summer locations. By now shallow back bays where these fish had spent most of the spring have become stagnate water. The oxygen levels have dropped. As the surface temperature begins to warm, many species of fish move to deep water during the daylight hours. These fish may move back into the shallows during the evening or early morning to feed, though typically will re-locate back to the structure during the day. Many times these deep water structures are not far from the early season bays. Fish will not simply take off and relocate across the lake if there is deep water nearby. During the heat of the day surface temperatures can vary drastically depending on the size and depth of a lake. Deeper water offers more consistent temperatures along with higher oxygen levels. Once you find these deep water structures there is a good chance you will find the fish. Typically the more active fish will locate just above the structure. A weed less bait presentation or slip bobber rig can do the trick. The key is to keep your bait just above, not in the structure. Many times if you do set the hook its first instinct is to swim back into whatever cover it can find. This is where a rod with some back bone teamed with at least 8lb test is needed. In this video we concentrated on a brush pile located in twelve foot of water. The same holds true for deeper cribs, weed points, and other underwater structures. Your bait presentation will vary depending on the type of structure targeted. Pan fish tips and videos will address how to fish a deep weed point with artificial baits in an upcoming video titled Dawg day crappies. Good luck fishing!