| This bank and many like it have
a lot of brush in the water. You can't see it unless you have a locator that
returns an image such as the partial screenshot at the right.
The image at the right shows a rocky bank on the
left and a 3D sonar return on the right. You can clearly see stumps, logs,
and brush scattered about the bottom. Note that the sonar image is slightly
out of perspective because the boat was moving very slowly when the screen
shot was captured. |
 |
| So how do you fish
something you can't see? First you have to find it. Sure, an expensive
locator helps, but without one you can still learn the bottom with a little
patience and concentration. Start by using a quality fishing rod. This will
help transmit vibrations into your hands. Second, use line that has little
or no stretch. This will allow you to "feel" the bottom when dragging a
plastic worm, tube, or even a crank bait along the bottom.
Once you determine what is down there, fish
it appropriately. If there is brush and the water is fairly deep, try larger
plastic worms. Rocks, try tubes or crank baits first and don't be afraid to
switch if something isn't working. Instead of casting the banks, try looking
for structure you can't see. In many cases, the bigger fish will be out away
from the bank relating to a piece of structure you can't see. |