Fishing is a type of recreational sport that brings peace and tranquility to one’s mind. But fishing can also be frustrating if you don’t actually catch anything. When going fishing, the spot where you fish is the most important factor to consider. Finding a good fishing spot can be the difference between going home empty-handed or with a 30-pound catch.
But finding a fishing spot is far from easy. There are multiple factors that you have to take into consideration, and we are going to discuss those factors in this article.
1. Do Some Research
Before you start assembling your gear you have to do some research of the lake or pond where you will be doing your fishing. What is the type of fish you will be catching? What season are you going fishing? What is the temperature of the water? These are all things that you have to do your research on.
2. Do Some Scoping
When you go to the lake or pond, take a walk along the shore. This walk can give you valuable insight into where the fish is mostly located. Always be on the lookout for birds as they will be mostly located where the baitfish is. If you have a sonar, check for the depth and temperature of the fishing spot. As quoted by Fishingislove, a sonar tool will map out the bottom of the fishing spot. It will tell you the hardness, contours, or any structures found. Sonar is an excellent tool that helps seasoned veterans catch the biggest fish.
3. Vegetation and Structures
Once you’ve got a somewhat full overview of your desired fishing spot, its time to investigate the spot for any potential structures or vegetation. The best structures to look for at your desired fishing spot are:
- Docks: it provides sun cover for fish. This is especially important for bass as they love to hide.
- Ledges: Ledges are excellent places where you can find walleye or muskies.
- Laydowns: Laydowns refer to logs or trees that are lying down in the water. Laydowns are also excellent places to find fish, especially bigger fish as they tend to hide and wait for prey to grab.
The best vegetation to target at your desired fishing spot are:
- Hydrilla: Hydrilla is somewhat invasive vegetation that basses absolutely love it. It’s oftentimes called a bass magnet since bass is mostly found around it.
- Lily Pads: Lilly pads are another type of excellent vegetation that different species of fish love to hide in around them. Lily pads are also excellent for catching bass.
- Hyacinth: Yet another excellent type of vegetation for catching bass is the hyacinth. Hyacinth is a type of weed that floats on the surface of the water.
4. The Temperature
You now know almost everything there is to find the best fishing spot. But there is still another factor to consider, and that is the temperature. Simply said, there are two types of fish. You have the warm water species and the cold water species.
Warm water species tolerate water temperatures to 97 degrees F and the most popular examples are largemouth bass and bluegill. Coldwater species tolerate water temperatures up to 73 degrees F and good examples are trout, muskie, and pike.