Bass fishing in brush/bushes

For more reasons than I can list in these few pages, all current system bass fisherman should know how to Bass fish in brush/bushes. Brush is a very vague term used to describe any type of branched wood. For the purpose of this chapter, I use the word brush to explain actual shallow water brush.

Personally, I find brush to be a very consistent cover to fish. Bass use brush as staging areas as well as ambush cover. Start looking for bass in flooded bushes toward the back of the small coves, creeks or pockets. They seem to move to the shallowest bushes first when the water is rising and obviously, those are usually located in the back corners of these areas, making the experience of bass fishing engaging, particularly in brush and bushes. If the water is falling, then you might try the bushes out on the points.

Consider the temperature of the water

When beginning your search, the best brush for you to concentrate your efforts on is brush that is either in a creek or on the main lake that is close to a channel or point. These bushes offer a bass concealment and an immediate retreat to deeper water when the bass feels threatened. Don’t overlook the brush on flats either, especially during the rainy season in the spring and fall. However, fish on flats are more susceptible to weather and water changes. The bass will only hold on this brush for a short period of time using it primarily as a staging area, thus showcasing why bass favor fishing in brush and bushes. They will move in and quickly feed then retreat just as fast.

You must, when fishing flooded brush, consider the temperature of the water. Fish flooded brush whenever the water temperature is in the low 50’s or higher. In current systems, it is this time when the bass begin to think about shallow water.

You need only to slow your presentation when the water is this cold. To be consistent in current brush fishing you must first determine a pattern and then “BE BRAVE” in casting into tight spots where the bass are hiding. Bass fishing in dense brush or bushes requires concentration on the irregular features of the brush. Look for brush that has an overhanging canopy of limbs and shore growth. Look for the area in the bush where there is a dark shadow or where the bush is it’s thickest.

Excerpts taken from Lee’s new book “Strategies for Bass“.