The subject question was raised under the C & R topic "The value of big bass".
The answer to that question is somewhere berried in "The cosmic clock and bass calendar" under bass behavior. To under stand where big bass go or locate, you should have a basic understanding of bass behavior in general and acknowledge that bass location is dependant on several factors, the most important being seasonal periods and prey location.
You may need a advance degree in bass behavior to pin point where the big girls prefer to live. We also need to remember "bass are bass", 4 different species with separate location needs. So lets talk about LMB or northern LMB in general with FLMB add bigger bait fish.
During the spawn we can see that the lake has a big bass population and the local Mr. bass pro has his picture in the fish wrapper holding a pair of big bass, Ms. bass pro has a nice set also. Proof positive that the lakes big girls are well and healthy. Where do they go after the spawn? Most go back where they came from, deep water. We accept that bass live in deep water during the winter to keep near their prey and preferred water temperature. As the water warms up in the shallows the bass move up, stage and spawn for all to see. The smaller males and females tend to stay along the shore cover because they prefer smaller prey and can't eat larger prey. Once a adult healthy bass reaches about 4 pounds it changes and can eat, swallow, larger prey like crawdads and prey fish up to 6''. Big bass can also leave the protection of the cover and roam the entire lake without fear of becoming a meal. The shoreline is a busy place during the summer within lots of competition from smaller quicker bass for the smaller bait fish located along the shore during day light hours. Plus there is people boating and fishing, another reason to avoid shallow water.
The big myth about big bass is that they are solitary and don't school anymore like smaller bass. This is not true. Bass are school fish regardless of their size. The schools may be only 3 to 5 big bass, but a school. All bass will at times separate and locate at ambush sites by themselves because that is the most efficient method to ambush prey when not actively feeding. However the majority of their active feeding is done in schools because that is the most efficient method to feed on schooled bait fish. All bass tend to locate where the prey is available.
Big bass like deeper water that provides them a sanctuary. The location needs to have structural and cover elements to attract bass. Cover can be as simple as a shadow to conceal the bass, it doesn't need to be physical. Structure is the physical element that bass prefer like a dam area with gate columns, channels with ledges, rock piles, trees, bridges, humps, points, islands and marinas. Boat docks in marinas used to moor private and rental boats are usually in deep or near deep water access, so the marina usually has a population of home guard big bass. During the summer big bass will move up and roam the shore line looking for prey.Marinas and dams are good locations at night.
When you make your bass fishing trip next time, look over your shoulder out toward the main lake, thats where most of the big bass are.
Tom
The answer to that question is somewhere berried in "The cosmic clock and bass calendar" under bass behavior. To under stand where big bass go or locate, you should have a basic understanding of bass behavior in general and acknowledge that bass location is dependant on several factors, the most important being seasonal periods and prey location.
You may need a advance degree in bass behavior to pin point where the big girls prefer to live. We also need to remember "bass are bass", 4 different species with separate location needs. So lets talk about LMB or northern LMB in general with FLMB add bigger bait fish.
During the spawn we can see that the lake has a big bass population and the local Mr. bass pro has his picture in the fish wrapper holding a pair of big bass, Ms. bass pro has a nice set also. Proof positive that the lakes big girls are well and healthy. Where do they go after the spawn? Most go back where they came from, deep water. We accept that bass live in deep water during the winter to keep near their prey and preferred water temperature. As the water warms up in the shallows the bass move up, stage and spawn for all to see. The smaller males and females tend to stay along the shore cover because they prefer smaller prey and can't eat larger prey. Once a adult healthy bass reaches about 4 pounds it changes and can eat, swallow, larger prey like crawdads and prey fish up to 6''. Big bass can also leave the protection of the cover and roam the entire lake without fear of becoming a meal. The shoreline is a busy place during the summer within lots of competition from smaller quicker bass for the smaller bait fish located along the shore during day light hours. Plus there is people boating and fishing, another reason to avoid shallow water.
The big myth about big bass is that they are solitary and don't school anymore like smaller bass. This is not true. Bass are school fish regardless of their size. The schools may be only 3 to 5 big bass, but a school. All bass will at times separate and locate at ambush sites by themselves because that is the most efficient method to ambush prey when not actively feeding. However the majority of their active feeding is done in schools because that is the most efficient method to feed on schooled bait fish. All bass tend to locate where the prey is available.
Big bass like deeper water that provides them a sanctuary. The location needs to have structural and cover elements to attract bass. Cover can be as simple as a shadow to conceal the bass, it doesn't need to be physical. Structure is the physical element that bass prefer like a dam area with gate columns, channels with ledges, rock piles, trees, bridges, humps, points, islands and marinas. Boat docks in marinas used to moor private and rental boats are usually in deep or near deep water access, so the marina usually has a population of home guard big bass. During the summer big bass will move up and roam the shore line looking for prey.Marinas and dams are good locations at night.
When you make your bass fishing trip next time, look over your shoulder out toward the main lake, thats where most of the big bass are.
Tom