Effective use of shoreline breaks requires a mental balance of the opportunities and risks. In some cases, break represents a damage hazard to your boat, while other cases just present potential fishing disruptions.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Dennis Tietje said approaches these locations correctly is important.
“With most (shoreline breaks), if you approach from the downcurrent side, you have much more control over your vessel,” Tietje said. “If you’re approaching from upcurrent, you lose a lot of control. And when you’re ready to fish the spot, approaching from the downcurrent side (facilitates natural presentations); just cast up and let your bait drift down naturally.”
With riprap points, jetties, bulkheads or seawalls, the last thing you want to do is allow the current to push you into or onto the hard stuff. Obviously, that big “bump” will spook the fish, but more importantly you risk serious hull damage.
Tietje also pointed to potential unseen hazards.
“In the old logging float lanes off the rivers, the loggers typically had to cut down a couple of trees where they wanted to dig the lanes,” he said. “That means there’s usually a stump or two at the mouth of a float lane.
“This creates outstanding bass structure that’s not visible. We often find these stumps by casting around the mouth of a float lane, but you want to be careful not to run into one as you approach.”
Lastly, Tietje advised keeping a push pole handy. Various homemade or commercial models offer options — including convenient telescoping models that fit across the back deck of most bass boats.
Cautiously poking your way around potential hazards is one benefit of poling into position, but also consider that turning up a silty bottom with your trolling motor creates a murky cloud that can spook the fish.