Eliminating water

[saint romain]

Ok guys, I've done some MORE reading and have started to look at water a little differently.
But, eliminating water? Like with punching, I'm almost clueless on this one. I could imagine eliminating (possibly?) a 15acre flat of 1ft of water in heat of summer/freezing winter...or maybe eliminating "spots" but that's all I've got, can someone help me get on track here? I've done my google searches but its still leaving me with a blank

[Mike Cork]

Punching used to drive me crazy when I first started. The key to eliminating water when looking at a punching pattern is first to find the possible water. As you said there are times of the year that you can pretty much eliminate a majority right up front. However you would be surprised that the fish I've caught in 1.5 FOW with a surface temp of just 49 degrees (the mats really heat up the water under them when the sun is on them).

First is imagine the grass or vegetation is not there. Look for structure, bottom contours, and cover that would hold fish if the vegetation was not there. A ditch is a ditch, it will hold more fish if there is grass covering it. Gigantic grass covered flats will hold fish but it's way to much water to cover in a day. The key is to find the humps, depressions, ditches, old creeks, road beds, anything that will make a small section of that giant area better than the rest. Once you find the key areas on the flats don't worry about the rest and key on just those hot spots. Hit as many as you can to find the ones that are actually holding fish. Travel routes are still important. The biggest thing for me is to imagine the grass isn't there and then fish the areas you think are best.

[saint romain]

So that means when I hear the phrase "eliminating water" its still just eliminating "unlikely spots"? What you are saying makes perfect sense to me, but I think I geared my question in a different direction... I'm fishing my first circuit this year, and my biggest problem is going to be showing up to a lake for prefish having never fished this lake to begin with. I'm hoping to be able to look at a map and narrow down my approach to maybe 5-10 areas (that are close enough to run at least) and further eliminate those before the actual tournament (I won't always be punching either, and wont even try in a tournament until I get a good feel for it). Seems like I need to save up and enroll in Mike Cork 101, thanks for all the advice lately

[Crankbait1007]

Sometimes in learning what water/spots to eliminate you have to fish some. And it could be applied to pitching,punching,cranking and so on. When your fishing you have to look at where your not getting bit just as much as where you are getting bit. Lets say you're pitching a bank...pitching mostly in laydowns. You get five bites and they all are on new laydowns (ones that still have green leaves).  This is going to tell you that you could possible eliminate older laydowns and concentrate on new ones. Or maybe you're cranking points. After you get on some go over that point and see what's on it. (If you have side view you don't have to do this) Maybe it's got bigger rocks on it or maybe it has stumps as well. This is going to help you to say I don't need to fish barren points. By finding what areas are producing fish, you are also figuring out what area to possible eliminate or maybe be a second pattern to fish.

[Mike Cork]

We have hundreds of articles on the site that will help with this aspect of bass fishing. However here are two that I wrote. Spend some time digging around the articles section of the site and you'll be surprised what you find Lots of great stuff from many different anglers.

http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-articles/seasonal-bass-fishing-patterns/2-developing-a-pattern.html

http://www.ultimatebass.com/-beginners-area-links-274/2081-bass-catching-system.html

[Steve81]

The way that you are going to be pre-fishing is about the same way that I have done it for a couple of years. What I would suggest, is to go to that lake a weekend or two before the tournament and devote an entire day (sun up to sun down) to getting to know that lake. If it is a really big lake, then pick a section of it by looking at a map and learn all you can about that part of the lake. I really tend to do more driving/idling around than fishing because I'm graphing structure or looking for a certain type of shallow cover. In the long run, this will help during the actual tournamnet day because when you are struggling and thinking of new things/places to try, you will already have eliminated some of the guess work.

[saint romain]

 I actually plan on going to 2 of the lakes here soon just to get a feel for it. I need to find out which launch will be used, and I need to pick up a depth finder (I'll get some help on that in a few days/weeks). So...read some more seasonal articles (get out my new tablet and mark some notes  ), get on the water and learn the lake...and fish! Thanks, again

[bassindude]

After rereading this thread, and being new to punching myself, my question for Mike is about how to find those irregular spots that hold bass, when they are under the mats.  I dont have sidescan yet, and I know you havn't had it too long either.  Short of running through the mats, or assuming structure, based on the surrounding area, or previous trips through the area, is there any way to figure out what is underneath the mats?  Jim

[Mike Cork]

My biggest asset for finding these "different" spots is the bait it's self. I mark my line in 2 foot increments. The first pass through a new area I'll work it pretty quick. I'll keep track of how far the bait falls or doesn't fall. If I'm hitting bottom a 5-6 foot every time but the go to nine feet, I've found a depression or creek. Explore the area and found out how it runs or travels. Getting bites all the sudden, obviously tells you something is different. Use the lay of the land for points and flats. It's a huge advantage to get on the water in the spring before the grass gets thick and explore! A quality topo map can get you pointed in the right direction 

[-Shawn-]

You can sometimes see the irreglarities of the bottom by looking at the top of the mats.

Holes in the Grass usually mean a Bottom change. IE. Rock or somthing different that grass can't grow on.