Structure, structure, structure. It seems like all bass fisherman talk about is how to find and fish structure. But bass do end up in open water quite often.
Whether they are doing seasonal migrations or holding up in more stable water, you can find bass in open water.
But since people only talk about fishing weeds, logs, and other structure, it can be hard to know how to fish these locations where bass cruise.
Yes, bass often cruise open water in order to find food, to find a place to spawn (in the spring time), to get away from over crowded areas, or during seasonal migrations.
Bass in open water are typically on the move which means they also have to eat. If bass are eating than you can catch them.
Contrary to fishing structure, open water bass are much more spread out and are on the move. You need to fish as much water as possible in order to find these bass.
Use lures that can be fished quickly since you have a lot more water to fish. Also choose a reel that can cast very far.
Since these bass are already on the move and don’t have a a territory or structure to hold to, they are very willing to chase after prey and hunt down moving baits.
A long rod and high gear ratio reel are also helpful for this style of fishing.
The same way that bass are spread out horizontally, they can also be spread out vertically.
The three water columns are the surface, the middle or suspended column, and the bottom.
Keep a variety of rods, reels, and fishing lines with you so that you can target each column as best as possible.
Locating these bass mostly consists of my previous two points: covering water and fishing all water columns.
But, if you have the luxury of using a fish finder of sorts, than that will make your job a lot easier. Reading a fish finder is very easy.
There isn’t tons of weeds and structure that you might confuse with fish. As long as you can tell the difference between the bass and the baitfish, you will be fine.
Open water lures will share some important characteristics:
Spinnerbaits are my favorite open water lure. The high vibration and visibility of the blades calls the spread out bass from far away.
I recommend a double willow leaf spinnerbait because they can be fished much faster without rising to the surface.
However, because of the different blade choices, spinnerbaits can be fished at all depths and water columns.
Also Read: When to Use a Spinnerbait?
If the bass are holding to the bottom, the Carolina rig is your best option. Dragging a bit soft plastic through open water triggers tons of bites from deep, open water bass.
Carolina rigs are especially popular for deep, summer fishing. I like big crawfish imitations or creature baits.
Although these can tire out your wrist, walking baits such as the Heddon Spook are my go to topwater for open water.
Bass that are holding to the surface in open water are usually hunting for shad and other bait fish that are trying to warm up in the sun or eat bugs and plankton off the surface.
Walking baits resemble a baitfish darting around the surface and they drive bass insane.
Crankbaits have a huge amount of vibration and sound which are like a dinner bell for bass. Medium and deep diving crankbaits are your best bet.
Square bill crankbaits are better for shallow water up near the bank. The treble hooks can make it hard to fish crankbaits around cover or shallow vegetation.
Open water gives those hooks room to swing without the risk of getting snagged on anything.
Yes, open water bass often cruise the surface looking for shad and small baitfish.
These shad and baitfish stick to the surface to eat the bugs, insects, and plankton that float on the surface.
Cruising bass will venture up in the water column and push these baitfish to the surface.
These baitfish have nowhere to escape to since the surface is an unbreakable wall for fish. Topwater lures like walking baits are a great way to catch these bass.
Open water typically consists of deeper, clearer water. The deep water calls for a bit heavier tackle.
Pulling fish out of the depths requires a medium heavy to heavy rod with a fast gear ratio reel.
As for the clear water, fluorocarbon is your best option. Fluorocarbon is the most translucent fishing line which makes it hard for clear water bass to see.
Fluorocarbon is also much thinner than monofilament, so using the heavier line won’t be a problem.
Fishing in open water is a very underrated way to catch bass. Not only can you find bass in these waters, but they tend to me more aggressive and fun to catch.
Just make sure you don’t fish too slow or fixate too much on a specific water depth.
Open water fishing is especially necessary during the winter months when bass are not holding to shallow cover. Good luck and have fun!
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