Finding Bass Far off the Beaten Path

Swimming jigs, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwaters are other good choices for poking around new spots. Experiment with various lures and don’t spend time hammering a single stump, point, rock, or hole. These areas see minimal fishing pressure, so bass should respond without much coaxing if conditions there are favorable.

“The first step in exploring a new spot is quickly assessing its potential,” Felton says. “If you observe a follower or see baitfish as you first scan an area, you may want to take a more methodical approach. But if you don’t see any promising signs, don’t spend more time there.”

For fishing marshy spots or wherever shallow and narrow areas challenge your progress, Johnston suggests carrying a push pole. “It’s great for getting through shallow spots when the tide drops, and for pushing windblown weeds out of your path.” A mud anchor, which holds fast and is easily retrieved when speared into the bottom, is another useful piece of equipment. A piece of rebar with one end bent into an eye and fitted with a rope works fine, though you can get by with a PVC pipe or wooden dowel.

Concerns & Cautions

As some anglers have learned, it’s wise to avoid private property. Legal definitions of public water vary among jurisdictions, and some backwater residents don’t take kindly to visitors. Also take care to minimize damage to natural cover. Grinding up a bunch of hyacinth won’t ruin anyone’s day, but tearing down tree limbs and altering shoreline features can have negative impacts, so go easy and bend more than you break.

When accessing and fishing hidden spots means passing under or next to bushes or trees, consider that snakes, spiders, and various insects also call this home. They, too, may not take kindly to strangers. While alligators and snakes generally flee before you see them, be aware of their presence in southern waters. It’s not unheard of for aquatic snakes to come aboard, since they view the back deck as a fine place to sun.

Use a paddle, net, or rod tip to shake oncoming branches and shoo away unwanted company. Spiderwebs can be hard to detect until they’re wrapped around your face, so scan low-hanging branches as you approach them.

Having found many out-of-the-way bass bonanzas through persistence and risk acceptance, Felton says he understands the mental barriers that prevent many anglers from seeking their own treasure troves. “The biggest challenge is getting into an area without damaging your equipment,” he says. “Often you can idle with the big motor trimmed and jacked to maximum height, but an unseen rock, stump, or other obstruction is part of the game. Other times, the trolling motor or a duck-foot push pole is the only option to access areas far off the beaten path.

“Another mental obstacle is the ever-present possibility of finding dead water after wasting hours gaining access to a backwater. This search requires commitment and patience, and you should be prepared for some temporary setbacks before finding a great spot.”

And Felton advises anglers to keep safety foremost. Tides, changing wind conditions, and water flow altered by river authorities can drastically alter an area’s depth in a short time. “Getting in is one thing—getting out is never guaranteed.”

And while nothing in fishing comes with an iron-clad guarantee, once you find a miniature bass haven, a hot bite can be as close as it gets. “You might be in an area that’s fished just once or twice a month,” Johnston points out. “When bass see something that looks edible, they attack.” Moreover, there’s a special satisfaction to finding an unfished spot that may not even be on the map.

*David A. Brown, Tampa, Florida, is president of Tightline Communications and a freelance outdoor writer and photographer. This is his second contribution to Bass Guide.