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| Points: A Great Hangout for Bass |
| — By
Sherry D. Ruslink |
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| Points are one of
the most common types of structure found in a lake. Structure is defined as any contour
change in the lakes bottom, and that includes points. There are many different types of
points, depending on the particular lake and it's bottom composition. Points are formed
with rocks , sand, mud, or clay, and many have cover such as trees, grass, stickups, tire
reefs, and lay downs that adorn the point. Points (structure) coupled with grass or trees
(cover) is a big attraction for bass, and other species of fish. Points are credited
as probably the best overall structure a lake has to offer for bass hangouts. |
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| All points are not
created equal! —
There are about four different types of points used for identification. Bar points are
found in shallow reservoirs, and are usually flat, sandy rises which offer no
irregularities, and run long distances under water before falling off into the main lake
river channel. Sometimes bar points may even be separated from the shoreline, and will be
situated at the main lake river and a ditch, or secondary creek. |
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| Primary or main
lake points are two distinct points on either side of the mouth of a feeder creek, where
the two creeks join the main lake. Main lake points that drop into the primary river
channel, and are lined with cover, are key bass hangouts. Secondary points are located in
mouths of small coves or pockets that extend back from the main creek arm. These are
usually shallower and not as large as primary or bar points. Bluff points fall into two
categories: main bluff points, where the channel cuts away from a bluff and forms a shoal
which has gravel or rock that lines the turn; and rock bluffs form a continuous ledge
underwater, moving deeper and deeper as it runs along the side of the creek channel. |
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| Creeks and rivers
also offer points within the branch, which will be on the bends, where years of current
has cut away the contour as the creek or river traveled downstream. Creeks, small
branches, and ditches are located all over the lake floor in every reservoir, cutting
across many different contour changes and irregularities that form points. When
a creek channel runs in close to the bank or a point, it is definitely a place that bass
will hangout sometime during the four seasons. Tight bends in creek channels offers a
bluff and shoal, where the flow of current has etched it's way along contour changes.
Underwater humps or ridges can offer points that are either formed naturally, or were
formed during construction of the reservoir. Workers push and pile dirt and trees in a
given location which forms a point, and naturally serves as home to many fish. |
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| Bass instinctively
follow contour changes in a lake during their daily movements, either while feeding,
preparing for their annual spawn, or adjusting to seasonal changes. A bass' movements are
dictated by several influences: oxygen, spawning and feeding. Bass use points as stopovers
in their travels to and from spawning. When the spawn is completed, points again serve as
a stopover for bass to feed on the unsuspecting baitfish. |
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| Bass don't just
relate to points at random though. Patterns are followed, using specific type of points
and contour changes on those points. Understanding bass behavior, their patterns and
habits, is paramount to understanding which points bass may be relating to, and is
essential in consistently being able to locate bass. Bass habits can be trackable by the
time of year. |
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| When spawn
movements dictate, they swim into the creeks, and move to the primary points first. As the
water warms, bass will then move back in the creeks and hold on the secondary points,
waiting for nature to signal the proper time for nesting. After spawning, they reverse
their route back to the secondary points, then on to their summer homes. |
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| Bass like points
for locating baitfish, which makes points prime feeding locations for predator fish. Water
on points is churned through wind and boat traffic, which in turn creates oxygen being
rejuvenated in the lake. Points on lakes and reservoirs will normally have some type of
cover, whether it is man made or natural. This makes a point even better. If you are lucky
enough to find more than two covers, such as grass and trees on a point, then the point
deserves a good look with an LCD. Bass will be there somewhere! Use a good topo map to
locate points and creek channels. |
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| Research
and homework should be accomplished before journeying to a lake, eliminating potentially
unproductive water. Use a marker buoy system to clearly get a picture of how the point is
located. Once the layout of the point is established, lock in the coordinates on a GPS
unit, or triangulate position by using landlocked reference points. Being able to read a
topographic map and apply the knowledge in patterning bass is what separates a good angler
from an expert angler. |
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