Suspended Fish...The Key

    We talk about this alot on this page. Its been the rule since men started fishing with hook and line. You can summarize it this way:

"90% of the water in which we fish is devoid of fish. The other 10% MAY hold fish - if there is something for them to relate to. That is either cover, or structure. And the greatest structural feature they 

relate to is the some on YOU relate to...the bottom (or the ground on our case)."

    I remember the fold-out booklet that once came with all Helin Flatfish lures - it was a virtual fishing education. And that little tome always stressed the "Golden Zone"...the area within 1 foot of the bottom. That is where you can find the best fish most of the time. They may be elsewhere SOME of the time, and we may need to seek them in these places.
   
With that in mind lests contionue this disccusion....

"FISH THE BOTTOM - is a mighty good rule. 

✅ We have preached this ,for over five years, and we don't retract one word of any 'on the bottom' advice that we have ever published. This is the place to do most of your fishing. Don't ever forget it. BUT...

👉 As you progress in use of fish knowledge, you can take advantage of situations that SOMETIMES on SOME waters will fill your stringer, when fishing 'on the bottom' or 'out of the weeds' methods aren't working.

👉 As you progress AND THINK, you will recognize that these seeming exceptions really are just a variation of basic rules that never change. Just as fish movements relate to structure, you relate your catches to the 'rules.' You will be surprised at the pattern that will develop.

👉 Sometimes, not so often, walleyes, northerns, and Kentucky (spotted bass) do suspend. Bass probably will in some waters, depending on what the forage is foing. Crappies and white bass generally do. However, when suspended, these fish relate to structure...maybe a few feet or quite a few feet away.

👉 How do you know when they are doing this? How do you find them? Well, by instinct, by knowing your lake, by your electronic sonar, and by trial and error.

✅ Either way, this knowledge is most useful. Tuck it away and give thanks to Wiley Miller for this fine sketch."

Source: Fishing Facts and Secrets
August 1969