OK, some of this has been covered before but I want to get a better handle on what others are doing / think they should be doing.
Time of Year and Type of Mark.
I have always followed the rules that bass tend to be in shallower water in Spring and Autumn and move to deeper makrs in Summer and Winter. Why I think that I have no idea, logic I guess.
Spring - Crab moult round here, the bass are in shallow, following the water in rooting about after crabs under rocks and in amongst weed.
Summer - Generally deeper water chasing baitfish and keeping away from grockles swimming and crystal clear waters where they can be seen.
Autumn - 2nd crab moult, again in shallow bays hunting crab and picking off baitfish, often off the top.
Winter - Water is starting to cool and varies with the weather so they seek a less changeable environment. Not for them but because the shoals of bait which are still present are in the deeper water to regulate their smaller bodies.
I have to a certain extent found that the above is true but I struggle in summer to catch bass. I have taken on board feedback from Liam and Gaz this summer so hope that will make a difference next year.
Time of Year and Style of Fishing
Again, not sure I have this worked out but I did better this year with larger fish, not many schoolies at all.
Spring - Slow working baits at night over and between weed beds on shallow rocky bays. Did me well this year.
Summer - Working a bait a little faster, fishing in the day as well, deeper lures.
Autumn - Slow worked baits, shallow divers and top water. Imitate a dying fish as opposed to just a fish. Twitchy, jerky kind of retrieve.
Winter - Deeper lures worked slowly through structure where bass may be hiding out waiting for a meal.
So... How does that sound compared to what you do. Do you think I should change anything?? Why don't I catch much in summer, am I fishing the wrong type of mark. I know the fish are there somewhere as others are catching but I don't do the stealing marks thing, I want to work it all out for myself.
It has also been mentioned in the past about lure size making a difference at different times of year, starting small and getting bigger, what are peoples thoughts on this??
