Flailing the bank is what most bassers do. I have also been a flailer up until a couple of years ago. Once I got away from the bank the numbers and size of the bass have increased.

One thing to keep in mind, getting away from the bank does not neccesarily mean fishing deep water. In the Ozarks we have many lakes that are two hundred feet deep. You ain't going to catch a bass down there! But if you can find some humps or structure that is at the depth the fish are holding, then you can really load up.

At the end of March I had the opportunity to fish Lake Chuchillo in Mexico. My biggest bass of the trip, 10 lbs, came off of some structure that was in 15 feet of water. It was also 150 yards from the nearest bank.

You have to learn patience when fishing open water. There is nothing to look at, nothing to cast at and at times nothing biting. Stick with it, it will pay off. When I caught my 10 pounder in Mexico, we had fished for about 45 minutes that morning with few bites. The guys I was with had caught serveral nice 5 to 6 pound fish so they refused to let me move. I had pretty much given up on the spot when I barely felt my line "tick". Ten minutes later i have the biggest bass of my life in the boat. Really, really glad they didn't let me move.

My point is find some open water structure and work it. The fish will move on and off of these areas, so give it some time and be patient.

Catch a Monster
Ronnie

www.ozarksbass.com