Contour Lines- Winter and Summer
In looking at various maps, seasonal patterns and understanding that closely stacked contour lines are holding areas for bass during the summer and winter, does depth matter as well? In other words, will the bass hold on closely grouped contour lines in 12 feet of water and 20 feet during the aforementioned seasonal pattern. Do bass relate to the vertical drop, depth, or a combination of both?
Bass Ranger, I love these kinds of questions. Tightly spaced contour lines are often the best places to locate bass during the summer and winter seasons. These seasons are when bass are often located at their deepest depths on any particular lake. I think its important to note that depth is relative. Some lakes bass will never be deeper than 10 feet. While other lakes its common to see bass as deep at 40-60 feet like we just saw during the Bassmaster Elite on Lake Lanier, Ga. I have caught smallmouth as deep as 100'. The big question is why are bass located in these deep areas. The answer is always bait. The bait seeks deep water during this months for food and safety. The bass will always be around the bait. The vertical lines allow bass to move vertically as well as offer ambush opportunities to trap bait in deep water. So generally speaking, I first am concerned with finding the depth the bait is located, then I look for good habitat in this depth zone.
