Hybrid Bass Fishing Tips

Bottom Fishing

Bottom fishing is a great way to find where bass are hiding throughout the day. All About Fishing states that striped bass, unlike many species of fish, even other bass, will normally congregate at the deepest points of a body of water. However, bottom fishing means different things in different places. To achieve success, you need to know what areas to look for when bottom fishing.

In a calm lake, the deeper areas or holes close to shore are a good place to put a hook. However, in rapid-moving water, like rivers with strong current, bottom fishing isn't necessarily in a deeper area, but rather in a spot where the dropoff is sharp. A big rise from a sandbar makes a great hideout for bass looking for a relaxing area to get away from the current.

The flatter and bigger the area of the bottom the better. It should have a lot of room to roam about without lots of obstructions.

Land Points

Seek areas where land jets out into the water. These points are common areas of congregation for school fish that hybrid bass feed on. Ben Sanders of Hybrid Striped Bass Fishing explains that anglers get better strike statistics if they troll slowly with the current right off points as this is where stripers like to hole up.

Warm Water Discharge

The areas directly below dams are very popular for hybrid bass because they love the colder water. As warm water flows away from the dam, cold water from the bottom rises to the surface, making the whole pool temperature lower. Ben Sanders of Hybrid Striped Bass explains that hybrid bass are drawn to fast moving water like that around dams and river mouths.

Top Water

During the warmer months more success in hybrid fishing comes from top-water fishing. Search for patterns of bait fish movement and run a top spinner or lure along that route. Hybrids will jump to catch it thinking it is a part of the bait fish school.

Another successful area to search for hybrid bass while top fishing is at the mouth of a river tributary. This is where two rivers meet and the flow is temporarily impeded while the waters combine. It provides an area of cooler water with less current. The points of the land areas at these junctions are popular with bait fish, hence a good place to find hybrid bass as well. The All About Fishing tips website suggests top water striper fishing is the ultimate thrill.