We’ve all felt the frustration of seeing bass suspended on our fish finders but failing to catch them. To master this challenge, target specific structures like main lake ledges and bridge pilings while using slow-moving lures such as jerkbaits and jigging spoons. Vary your retrieve speeds and be patient—these sluggish fish need time to commit. Fish during ideal times for each structure type, and you’ll soon turn those once-frustrating suspended bass into your favorite targets.
Understanding Suspended Bass Behavior and Habits
When bass suspend in the water column rather than holding close to the bottom, they’re often playing a waiting game that can frustrate even the most experienced anglers. We’ve all been there, staring at our fish finders, wondering why these lazy swimmers won’t commit to our offerings.
Bass suspend mainly to conserve energy when their prey isn’t active. Instead of chasing food, they hover, waiting for an easy meal. While they’re more active at night, we can’t always fish after dark. That’s why we need specific daytime strategies rather than hoping they’ll suddenly become aggressive. Trust me, I’ve learned this lesson the hard way!
Prime Locations to Target Suspended Bass
Once you’ve understood that bass are suspending, it’s time to find exactly where these elusive fish are holding in the water column. We’ve found suspended bass typically hang around underwater structure that offers them safety while conserving energy.
| Structure Type | Depth Range | Best Time to Fish |
|---|---|---|
| Main Lake Ledges | 15-30 feet | Midday |
| Channel Swings | 10-20 feet | Morning |
| Underwater Islands | 8-25 feet | Afternoon |
| Bridge Pilings | 12-18 feet | Cloudy Days |
| Submerged Trees | 6-15 feet | Dawn/Dusk |
Your fish finder becomes your best friend here. Utilizing trolling motor positioning effectively, we’ve spotted schools of bass suspended between deep structures and shorelines countless times.
Top Lures and Techniques for Enticing Suspended Bass
Now that you’ve found where those lazy bass are hiding, it’s time to grab the right lures from your tackle box. We’ve had great success with crankbaits and jerkbaits when bass are feeling sluggish. They just can’t resist that wounded baitfish presentation!
For deeper suspension, try jigging spoons with a slow fall. I once nabbed a five-pounder that followed my spoon for nearly 30 feet before striking!
Don’t overlook swimbaits – they’re straightforward but deadly effective. When all else fails, noisy baits that mimic shad can trigger reaction strikes from even the most stubborn bass.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Weather Affect Suspended Bass Activity?
We haven’t covered weather’s specific impact on suspended bass, but generally, weather changes affect water temperature and prey movement, which directly influence when suspended bass become active or remain dormant.
Can Suspended Bass Be Caught Year-Round or Only Seasonally?
We can entice those elusive underwater friends year-round, though they’re more commonly suspended during seasonal changes. In summer and winter, they’ll take refuge in deeper waters where temperature’s more stable.
What’s the Ideal Line Strength for Suspended Bass Fishing?
We typically recommend 8-12 pound fluorocarbon line for suspended bass. It provides good sensitivity while maintaining enough strength to handle these fish in deeper water around structure.
How Long Should I Wait Before Changing Fishing Locations?
We recommend waiting 20-30 minutes at each spot. If your fish finder shows bass but they’re not biting, try different lures before moving to another structure.
Do Suspended Bass Respond Differently to Live Bait Versus Artificial Lures?
Over 70% of fishermen find suspended bass more responsive to live bait. We’ve noticed they’ll hit live bait when inactive but artificial lures require more strategic presentation to trigger reaction strikes.
Conclusion
We’ve given you our best secrets for catching those stubborn floating fish—too bad they’ll probably still ignore you anyway! After all, we’ve spent decades perfecting these techniques while you’ve been practicing your excuses for coming home empty-handed. But hey, even if you follow our advice perfectly, remember that bass are like teenagers—they’ll do the exact opposite of what you want just to spite you. Good luck out there!