In this video, seasoned anglers Uncle Frank and Matt dive right into the art of bass fishing, sharing their wisdom and techniques without preamble. Their hands-on and passionate approach sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of bass fishing. From recognizing natural structures like bluff ends and walls to understanding the fish’s habitat, they provide valuable insights that reflect their deep knowledge and experience. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, their conversation promises to elevate your understanding of this rewarding pursuit. Read on as we unravel their secrets in the following sections!

1. Bluff Ends and Walls

• Bluff Ends as High-Percentage Spots: Focus on bluff ends, especially where there’s standing timber or other features. These areas are known to hold fish.
• Broken Bluff Walls: Look for indentations, cave-ins, and rock slides on bluff walls. These create current breaks and hard cover, making them attractive to bass.
• Table Rock Lake Example: Specific mention of a location with a shelf that made the bluff even more attractive. The shelf was 20 feet deep, and the bluff wall was 40 feet deep.

2. Road Beds

• Finding Road Beds: Look for splits in the trees or gaps that indicate a road bed or pipeline. These are often not marked on maps, so visual cues are essential.
• Gravel and Rock: Often, gravel or rock is piled on top of road beds, creating a structure for bass. These materials keep wires and pipelines secured to the bottom.
• Seasonal Approach: Start fishing the road bed based on the time of year and the depth where bass are found. In summer, focus on 10 to 20 feet; in shallower seasons, focus on the shallowest part.
• Looking for Differences: Focus on areas where the road bed changes, such as where it comes up on a hill. These differences can make certain spots more attractive to fish.

3. Wind Fences

• Farmers’ Wind Fences: In farmlands, farmers build wind fences by piling up trees in zigzag rows. These can be underwater structures, such as on Watts Bar, where wind fences were found underwater.
• Seven-and-a-Half Minute Maps: These maps can show roads, buildings, and other topography before a lake is flooded. They are not photographs but paper maps that can help identify underwater structures.

4. Foundations and Rubble

• Foundations with Spread: Look for the main structure and outbuildings, wells, etc. These can be seen on Side Imaging, and each structure can be large and distinct.
• Gravel and Rock: These areas can be shallow and hold fish at certain times of the year. They are often found around foundations and other structures.

5. Shallow Structure Fishing

• Creek Channel Ditches: Look for small creek channel ditches, old foundations, and other structures when fishing shallow. These can be key areas for bass.
• Willow Trees and Bushes: Willow bushes often grow on the edges of streams, indicating ditches. They are a dead giveaway for finding ditches and can be a high-percentage spot in springtime.

6. Historical Imagery and Map Work

• Using Historical Imagery: Utilize historical imagery to see changes in water levels and find structures. This can reveal drawdown periods and uncover hidden structures.
• Creating Accurate Maps: Mention of using tools like Navionics Live for creating highly accurate maps. Frank shared his frustration about losing a map he spent a day creating, emphasizing the importance of saving the data.

7. Other Mentions

• Color Seven: A brief mention of creating new colors and a signature series, hinting at future opportunities for listeners to get their hands on new products.
• Long Rods: Discussion about using long rods for fishing, with Frank offering to send some to Matt.

8. Conclusion

• Shoutouts: Uncle Frank gives shoutouts to the viewers, expressing gratitude and teasing future giveaways.
• Future Plans: Mention of upcoming activities and opportunities, including live shows and on-the-water content.

The video provides a comprehensive look at various techniques for catching bass, with a strong emphasis on understanding the environment and utilizing tools like maps and historical imagery. Uncle Frank and Matt’s insights into identifying and fishing different structures offer valuable guidance for anglers looking to improve their success on the water.