Structure

Structure refers to permanent changes in the shape of the lake or river bottom. Points, ledges, humps, creek channels, and drop-offs are all forms of structure. Unlike cover, which is an object like a log or a patch of grass, structure is part of the bottom itself and stays in the same place year after year.

Bass use structure to move between deep water and shallow feeding areas. A point that runs off a bank into a channel, for example, gives fish a natural travel route and a place to hold at different depths depending on the season. Anglers study structure with maps and electronics to find these high-percentage areas before they even make a cast, then work baits like deep-diving crankbaits along the depth changes to locate active fish.

• Points and secondary points
• Ledges and drop-offs
• Creek channels and old river beds
• Humps and underwater islands

A practical tip: once you catch a fish off a piece of structure, keep casting to the same depth and angle along that same contour line. Bass often group up at a specific depth on structure, so repeating that pattern can turn one bite into a full pattern for the day.