Edge of the Weeds

 Lake Weed-Edge Basics 

Weeds and weedlines come and go, always changing due to the forces of nature, weather and water conditions - but the basics of how fish relate to them seems to stay fairly constant. 

Here’s a primer on a typical natural lake, and the many weededge situations an angler might come across as diagrammed in In-Fisherman magazine over 35 years ago. This can also apply to man-made lakes, if the angler views SECTIONS of the lake as micro-environments.

A - Widely spaced, uneven contour lines foster a jagged weed-edge; look for points, pockets, lots of bass-holding cover.

B - Troughs are prime feeding areas and migration routes for bass.

C - Check inside edges on large flats. Inside edge can hold more bass than an outside edge.

D - A 10-foot-deep hole on a flat = bass magnet...especially if deep water is nearby 

E - Hole near drop-off creates a saddle, always attractive to fish.

F - Close, straight contour lines usually mean weed walls. Fish quickly by cranking parallel to the wall. Inside edges aren't as likely to hold fish.

G - A tight inside bend, a likely area for a curved weed wall. Search for active bass.

H - Weedy points near deep hole; must be checked for weed clumps just off main weedlines.

I - Hump on a flat, an excellent shallow bass attractor.

J - A large flat usually offers a variety of structural elements that attract and hold bass.

K - A small flat, not likely to hold many bass in contrast to "J".

L - A clean lip where weeds end abruptly and the point slopes gradually toward the drop-off.

M - A big offshore hump (sunken island) offering these fine weed-edge possibilities: sloping point; small clean lip; sharp drop for weed wall; wider contours for a jagged weededge; possibility of thick clumps on sloping, main-lake side; and a bald spot on top.