Transition Banks Question

[SRV1990]

I see that on many of the posts where the guys are giving their fishing reports it's noted that they are fishing transition banks. While I think I understand what a transition bank is -- sand to pea gravel, pea gravel to chunk rock, etc. -- I'm curious to know how you guys identify these areas. Do you use maps? Do you use your sonar to pinpoint them? And if sonar, what are you looking for on your display?

Thanks!

[Pour Dennis]

I just look for transition banks that are above water. Whatever you see above water, continues the same under the water.

[FRENZEL]

Might have been a little tough last year but he is right. Just use your eyeballs. After you make the stop you can use your graph for some fine adjustment.

[motoman]

I tend to overthink things, so I'll embarass myself, and go ahead and throw this question out.

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When you say transition in the banks composition, does it matter if the transition takes place from side-to-side on the bank (horizontally)? Meaning, if you're travelling parallel to the bank, and notice it change from chunk rock to pea gravel; this is an ideal transition?

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or, if looking at the bank, and there's a bluff wall, that tapers down to a 45 degree chunk rock (vetical transition), then into the water.............???

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or does it matter?

[Pour Dennis]

I tend to overthink things, so I'll embarass myself, and go ahead and throw this question out.

-

When you say transition in the banks composition, does it matter if the transition takes place from side-to-side on the bank (horizontally)? Meaning, if you're travelling parallel to the bank, and notice it change from chunk rock to pea gravel; this is an ideal transition?

-

or, if looking at the bank, and there's a bluff wall, that tapers down to a 45 degree chunk rock (vetical transition), then into the water.............???

-

or does it matter?

Your first question is the correct answer in this situation.

[Pour Dennis]

Another thing to look for along bluffs is for quick changes to a 45 degree bank with what looks like a landslide. These kinds of banks paid off for us yesterday in our tournament.

[motoman]

Great! Thanks Dennis! That's what I thought, but was just double checking.

[jay bird]

Dito on the landslides. For some reason this time of year they really hold the fish. I got one of the SI humminbird fishfinders last year, but with the really high water did not really get to use it as much as I would like. This year you can really see when there is a transition area that may to show up on the shore.

[SRV1990]

Thanks for everyone's input, it's much appreciated. But it's now led to another question: Can you describe what is meant by "landslides"?

[troutgnat]

As with everybody else, I've always recognized them by looking at the shoreline cover. Whenever I see a remarkable change in shoreline stucture that's the first tip-off for me. For instance, the other day I was motoring of Long Creek and I was in a stretch leading up to a large channel swing in the creek(where the creek makes a hard bend) I was motoring down a fairly long stretch of low mud bank with trees lining the bank, some fallen in the water and then BAM it tapers right into chunk rock for a good stretch leading up to the bend. Above the chunk rock you can see as the topography of land leads up to a ridge above forming a small bluff. (Very noticeable change in topography). As the other gentleman said what you see above the water is a good indication of what continues below. One other tid-bit I would throw in: When bass are on these transition banks there on them. Many like to say that under frontal conditions the bass will move off these banks and head to deeper water, although this is true you would be surprised at how many fish you can pick up who are still on the banks. I always look for minor structural changes on these banks. I.E. Your main depth parallel down the bank, say, is 6-8 ft from the bank out 10' foot or so then all the sudden you motoring a long a find a pocket that drops to 12'. BINGO! Any small depression of a little deeper water and you will find a fish on it. And it may be right on top of the bank where least expected. That's where your graph will come in handy!