Suspending Fish

 BUCK SEZ: Structure Fishing Basics

Understanding “Sanctuary, Suspension, and Structure,” Part III

Figure 6 shows a side view of a section in a lake. I have placed the fish in their deep water sanctuary; in this case, suspended as shown. I have also placed one of those invisible breaklines we have talked about in earlier study. It could be a breakline of water color, oxygen, light, current, temperature. etc. In this case the breakline is caused by thermocline. It would appear (from your depth sounder) the fish are unrelated to structure, breaks or breaklines, This is not true. They are positioned in direct relationship with the temperature breakline, as well as the breakline on the bottom. If we could look from a top view, we would likely find them positioned in direct relationship to a nice structure, such as bar, hump, etc. When the fish move (or migrate) they would. move toward the bottom breakline, then onto structure to shallower water. They would have guides all the way.

Figure 7 is a side view of a section in a lake. A group of fish are in their deep water sanctuary. In this case suspended slightly above the bottom. But, the fish are located in relationship to breaks on the bottom; in this case a hard bottom covered wich rocks. In most instances, and especially with bass, you may not be able to see the fish in a position such as this. The fish will be so close to the rocks, your depth sounder may not record their existence. This will hold true with most species when conditions are bad, and the fish become very dormant. You'd think they were rocks themselves, as far as showing up on your depth sounder - and for that matter, you'd also think they were rocks as far as taking a pass at your lure (if you were doing sloppy fishing in any form).