Edited from an article series in the long-gone, regional newsmagazine, "Fishing News," 1967
This is the second in a six part series that outlines the fishing methods of Buck Perry. This method is known broadly as, "structure fishing," or, as Perry called it, “spoonplugging." When first published, this was a barebones summary. I added modern updates and reinforcements for today's more sophisticated reader. All credit given the original authors
Intro
If you have made it this far, you may have what it takes to be a structure fisherman! Just coming in? I encourage you to read part 1, and open your mind.
Everything discussed so far is in a purposeful sequence, leading you to consistently CATCH big game fish. Some have called these methods, 'dogmatic,' or inflexible, and they are to a degree. Like a golfer, or painter, we focus on knowledge and specific actions that deliver success for THIS method.
Once applied and understood, get as creative as desired thereafter.
We concentrate on the largemouth bass, not because he is fashionable, but because he is universal and is the model species for this work. But this applies to most gamefish in both salt- and freshwater. In short, you can't catch them if you don't have a repeatable system for finding them where you expect.
On the flipside, I say very little about tackle, or gear brand names, or where to buy stuff. This is because we are not trying to sell you tricks, tips, or trendy, "flavor-of-the-week" tackle products.
Buck Perry avowed that certain gear and tackle TYPES are best suited to this work, but his main focus was that knowledge is the key to success, not gear.
Our ultimate goal, then, is to educate and increase your fishing success.
To do this...
You - Eliminate dead water
You - Locate the fish
You - Concentrate on productive areas
You - Know why
In this installment we take The Way Back Machine to 1967, 55 years ago...
Part II: How
To Find Structure... Use A Map
In PART ONE of this series, we were introduced to a total concept for fishing called, "spoonplugging." As would be 'spoonpluggers,' we were also advised to accept two Key Facts as they relate to catching big fish:
1. The deepest water in an area is where big fish spend most of their time.
2. These fish migrate from this deep water, once or twice per day, along recognizable routes related to the underwater bottom structure.
With that in mind, the would-be spoonplugger's next question is this: "How do we find the structure within the area that the fish will use in their movements from, and back to, deep water?"
1. The deepest water in an area is where big fish spend most of their time.
2. These fish migrate from this deep water, once or twice per day, along recognizable routes related to the underwater bottom structure.
With that in mind, the would-be spoonplugger's next question is this: "How do we find the structure within the area that the fish will use in their movements from, and back to, deep water?"
Look and Think
By using observation and simple logic, we can start to understand the bottom structure. We just have to look at what is right in front of us - the shore line.
It is everywhere around a lake, and you now know from part one that the fish will sooner or later move towards the shallows along the shore. How far they come into the shallows, how they get there, and when they make their move will be discussed later. But for now, you can accept that they will move in that direction. So look the shoreline over; it gives clues to the bottom structure.
In fact, back before the days of electronic technology, this sort of 'shoreline logic' was all they had... and the very system we are examining was developed to great success using only this logic.
For example, do you see a steep shore, one that drops quickly to the water?
There's a good chance this steep shoreline continues falling sharply into the lake, and deep water is right there. This doesn't mean the steep bank is good FISHING water, by default, but you know it is at least deeper.
There's a good chance this steep shoreline continues falling sharply into the lake, and deep water is right there. This doesn't mean the steep bank is good FISHING water, by default, but you know it is at least deeper.
By contrast, maybe the shore slopes flat and gently towards the water? This normally means shallow flats are leading out and away from the shoreline. These "flats," by themselves, are generally not good fishing water, so assume that much until you know different.
Right there, we have two general shoreline observations you can go by. However, they can be quite variable, so we consider them notable, but imprecise.
But, there is one often encountered shoreline feature that is almost always reliable - THE EXTENDED POINT.
Points that extend out from shore normally continue to run underwater for some distance. Followed to their end, we commonly find them dropping off into deeper water.
On one end of the point, you have the shoreline shallows. On the other end, you can expect deeper water. Does this sound like a possible migration route for fish?
On one end of the point, you have the shoreline shallows. On the other end, you can expect deeper water. Does this sound like a possible migration route for fish?
You bet it does!
If you focused solely on points, you could probably do pretty well. So consider them Numero Uno among structure, when you have nothing else to go on.
If you focused solely on points, you could probably do pretty well. So consider them Numero Uno among structure, when you have nothing else to go on.
The Best Way To Find Them - MAPS
However, here's the next detail about the fish's behavior you'll need to accept, if Mr. Perry's methods are gonna work for you:
Big, adult fish only rarely penetrate far into the shallows; they may not
come into them at all, depending on the water and weather conditions.
come into them at all, depending on the water and weather conditions.
This means many of the good fishing spots - if not, most - are unrelated to visual shorelines. They are out in the lake.... what many will call “open water.”
Because the fish don't see the lake as we do, they go where they need to in order to find the deep water safety they seek. And these places are often far out from shore... and often the best spots. This means our fishing problem is how to find and catch big fish in open water, away from shore.
Okay, fine... how do we find them with no landmarks to work with?
Okay, fine... how do we find them with no landmarks to work with?
Well, scuba diving is one idea. It's also costly, time consuming, a bit dangerous, and very much hit or miss.
We might try covering the lake with a sounding line. That's pretty good, it is safer and much cheaper than scuba diving, but it's VERY time consuming and tedious.
Lucky for us, someone else has already done exactly this, electronically– with modern sonar.
Excellent Maps For All
This electronic mapping is accomplished with the aid of dedicated depth sounders, but more lately, with electronic fish finders that double as digital data recorders. These devices scan the bottom wherever the boat goes, they store what they "see" in memory - then this bottom scanning data is uploaded to a database server. Finally, this recorded information is compiled into bottom contour maps.
And any angler with a boat can have this technology for $250-300!
We might try covering the lake with a sounding line. That's pretty good, it is safer and much cheaper than scuba diving, but it's VERY time consuming and tedious.
Lucky for us, someone else has already done exactly this, electronically– with modern sonar.
Excellent Maps For All
This electronic mapping is accomplished with the aid of dedicated depth sounders, but more lately, with electronic fish finders that double as digital data recorders. These devices scan the bottom wherever the boat goes, they store what they "see" in memory - then this bottom scanning data is uploaded to a database server. Finally, this recorded information is compiled into bottom contour maps.
And any angler with a boat can have this technology for $250-300!
Nowadays, most medium to large lakes are well mapped in this way.
But it gets even better.
Once created, these bottom contour maps are available online to anyone with internet access. Basically, our fellow anglers have uploaded what their hi-tech fish finders scan over, and you can use this data in the form of maps to mark likely fishing spots in advance.
Once created, these bottom contour maps are available online to anyone with internet access. Basically, our fellow anglers have uploaded what their hi-tech fish finders scan over, and you can use this data in the form of maps to mark likely fishing spots in advance.
How about if you're old-school, broke, or not into the electronic gizmos needed for this? Well, you're in luck - you can still get actual paper maps of most lakes.
These are as valuable as ever, they are waterproof, and they are another great way to know the good areas, down below.
One potential problem with paper maps is they may eventually go the way of the dodo, as we become increasingly linked to the Internet of Things. But, as long as they are in hand, maps ain't dead yet. And they are good backups should your fancy technology conk out for some reason....
There is another excellent source of information tied to mapping that we normally don't think to use, or we use it badly if we do think of it, and that is asking other anglers about their catches.
It borders on the taboo to ask, and you may cringe at the idea. But be respectful, and don't go for the throat. Questions about precise location, exact lures, etc., will make most people clam up. Besides, things change quickly and trying to duplicate exactly what someone did days ago may be pointless.
What you need to know is general location, depth info, and something about the conditions at that time. Generic questions of this type aren't very threatening, and responses should be compared to your maps. Once you have it sorted, record the information in a notebook of some sort, and reference it to your maps.
These are as valuable as ever, they are waterproof, and they are another great way to know the good areas, down below.
One potential problem with paper maps is they may eventually go the way of the dodo, as we become increasingly linked to the Internet of Things. But, as long as they are in hand, maps ain't dead yet. And they are good backups should your fancy technology conk out for some reason....
There is another excellent source of information tied to mapping that we normally don't think to use, or we use it badly if we do think of it, and that is asking other anglers about their catches.
It borders on the taboo to ask, and you may cringe at the idea. But be respectful, and don't go for the throat. Questions about precise location, exact lures, etc., will make most people clam up. Besides, things change quickly and trying to duplicate exactly what someone did days ago may be pointless.
What you need to know is general location, depth info, and something about the conditions at that time. Generic questions of this type aren't very threatening, and responses should be compared to your maps. Once you have it sorted, record the information in a notebook of some sort, and reference it to your maps.
Record and reference your own catches this same way, too.
Do these things consistently, and you create a pattern for fishing your lake(s).
Before long, people will ask YOU how you always mange to catch the fish.
Before long, people will ask YOU how you always mange to catch the fish.
Using Maps To Find Them
But, you can't always get information straight from other fishermen. That's a helpful shortcut, but it isn’t needed it if you have adequate lake maps.
So, lets have a look at one of these lake maps...
So, lets have a look at one of these lake maps...
from bass fishing source (see link #1 in references)
This is not a course in map reading, and you've been patient enough to get this far, so I'm not gonna push it.But there are several basic things worth noting on one of these maps that can be reviewed in this space.
The first thing that grabs your attention are all the curvy lines - these are officially called, "contour lines," and their purpose is to indicate changes in depth.
Long before we had all these maps, however, Buck Perry referred to them as "breaklines." They are defined this way:
"A line running along structure where there is a definite increase/decrease in depth, either gradual or sudden. A breakline can also be a weed line, the edge of a channel, or where where two bodies of water meet which differ in temperature and/or color."
The essential piece to this is that they are longitudinal, and we fish along them as we progress. I will stick to using the term, "breaklines," and think of them as lines along structure that define depth and shape of the structure
You will also note numbers associated with the breaklines - these are soundings, or depth readings.
The essential piece to this is that they are longitudinal, and we fish along them as we progress. I will stick to using the term, "breaklines," and think of them as lines along structure that define depth and shape of the structure
You will also note numbers associated with the breaklines - these are soundings, or depth readings.
For our needs, you are looking for abrupt changes in lake bottom structure.
In a shallow lake, this may be just a foot or two change; in deep lakes, the drop off or reef may be 20 feet or more. These abrupt depth change areas are indicated by the breaklines drawing close together, or bunching up on the map.
In a shallow lake, this may be just a foot or two change; in deep lakes, the drop off or reef may be 20 feet or more. These abrupt depth change areas are indicated by the breaklines drawing close together, or bunching up on the map.
These breaklines can also define rises, or elevations under the water, such as submerged islands, often called "humps." These usually include a depth indication.
Pockets and inlets are shown by the breaklines bending in and out.
Dips, depressions, trenches, or "holes" are usually shown by a circular arrangement of the breaklines, much like the hump. And like the hump, they include a sounding that indicates a depth that is deeper than the surrounding area.
Pockets and inlets are shown by the breaklines bending in and out.
Dips, depressions, trenches, or "holes" are usually shown by a circular arrangement of the breaklines, much like the hump. And like the hump, they include a sounding that indicates a depth that is deeper than the surrounding area.
This is the maps greatest benefit - it shows structure that contrasts with surrounding bottom terrain.
With a marked map, then, a fisherman can check lots of areas within a lake. He can go from one, "hot spot" to another, playing his hunches to see if the fish are home, right?
Well, not so fast. These areas of depth contrast on the map are *potentially* good fishing areas; it doesn't automatically mean they ARE good areas.
Well, not so fast. These areas of depth contrast on the map are *potentially* good fishing areas; it doesn't automatically mean they ARE good areas.
Many people make that mistake. There is another element needed for that, which we will mention next.
Not Random - Spoonpluggers Prioritize
As exciting as it may be to have the lake mapped out, it overlooks another key point in the 'spoonpluggers' tool box... our “checking” isn't just going from one tempting place to another. The map shows so many possibilities, and you want to check them all.... and that's both counter-productive, and wastes valuable fishing time.
Instead, what you must do is apply a method to this madness, and prioritize your efforts on certain structure.
We prioritize the structure we want to spend our time fishing over by going back to our key point: “deep water is the home of the fish.”
How many times have I said that, by now? It’s probably burned into your thoughts at this point.
Instead, what you must do is apply a method to this madness, and prioritize your efforts on certain structure.
We prioritize the structure we want to spend our time fishing over by going back to our key point: “deep water is the home of the fish.”
How many times have I said that, by now? It’s probably burned into your thoughts at this point.
With this ‘deep water’ idea out front, the structure to focus on is that which is next to, or which leads to... where?
The structure we focus our efforts on
leads all the way to, or is adjacent to, the deepest water in an area.
Take that previously mentioned hump, for example. If it is isolated on an open flat, and doesn't run to deep water, it may very likely be devoid of large fish.
Because it rises closer to the surface and gets more of the suns energy, it may hold a localized population of smaller fish. But the big fish in deep water can't see it, and won't go looking for it, if there is no route leading to it.
Their interests lie in structure that is close at hand, which they can see and use as travel routes in their migrations and movements.
The way most anglers are taught to think, you run and gun, hammering places where they MIGHT be, under what are, hopefully, ideal conditions that you probably can't describe.
But we will push that training to the back of our minds, because we will intercept them before they get there.
Because it rises closer to the surface and gets more of the suns energy, it may hold a localized population of smaller fish. But the big fish in deep water can't see it, and won't go looking for it, if there is no route leading to it.
Their interests lie in structure that is close at hand, which they can see and use as travel routes in their migrations and movements.
The way most anglers are taught to think, you run and gun, hammering places where they MIGHT be, under what are, hopefully, ideal conditions that you probably can't describe.
But we will push that training to the back of our minds, because we will intercept them before they get there.
Now, lets review the Key Facts we have been introduced to, so far...
1. The deepest water in an area is where big fish spend most of their time.
2. These fish migrate from this deep water, once or twice per day, following the same, recognized routes along underwater bottom structure.
1. The deepest water in an area is where big fish spend most of their time.
2. These fish migrate from this deep water, once or twice per day, following the same, recognized routes along underwater bottom structure.
3. Big, adult fish rarely come very far into the shallows, and they may not come into them at all, depending on water and weather conditions.
4. Thus, our fishing problem is how to find and catch big fish in open water, away from shore.
4. Thus, our fishing problem is how to find and catch big fish in open water, away from shore.
5. Using maps, we focus our efforts on structure that leads all the way to, or which is adjacent to, the deepest water in an area. In this way, we will intercept fish in their migrations and movements, to and from deep water
Armed with these concepts, examine the map below....
- Where is the deepest water in the area?
- Where is the deepest water in the area?
- Can you identify breaklines and structure that lead from that deep water, all the way to the shallows?
- If the big fish only go to, say, 10 feet or so, where would you seek to intercept them?
- If the big fish only go to, say, 10 feet or so, where would you seek to intercept them?
Thanks for reading and I hope you learned something. If you enjoyed it, a like and share is appreciated.
If you are interested in a no drama, Facebook fishing page, please come visit us at: Palmetto Fly n Fish
Tight Lines,
David
Palmetto Fly n Fish
All rights reserved, 2022
references
1. https://www.bass-fishing-source.com/bass-fishing-using-topographic-lake-maps.html
2. The "Buck Perry System," or Spoonplugging, 'Fishing News,' 1967
3. "Spoonplugging," Elwood 'Buck' Perry, 2nd Edition, 1974
4. Mr Peabody, Sherman and The Wayback Machine open sourced, J. Ward Productions
If you are interested in a no drama, Facebook fishing page, please come visit us at: Palmetto Fly n Fish
Tight Lines,
David
Palmetto Fly n Fish
All rights reserved, 2022
references
1. https://www.bass-fishing-source.com/bass-fishing-using-topographic-lake-maps.html
2. The "Buck Perry System," or Spoonplugging, 'Fishing News,' 1967
3. "Spoonplugging," Elwood 'Buck' Perry, 2nd Edition, 1974
4. Mr Peabody, Sherman and The Wayback Machine open sourced, J. Ward Productions
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