How to Read a Lake Map for Bass
Learning how to find bass as quickly as possible will make your fishing outing even more fun, and can mean money in your pocket at the end of a tournament. If you can find a map of the lake, and know how to read it, you'll have a head start.
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Instructions
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Locate the map key. This is the area with information on scale, contour, special features and direction.
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Look for areas on the map that might indicate bass population: depth, weeds, current and structure.
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Bass often hide in weeds. Look at the sample map: Areas E, J, H and F are all weedy spots, but by looking closely you can see they are not the same. For example, area J is weedy, but sits on the edge of a drop off to deep water; while area F is a large, shallow outflow with weeds in the current.
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Fishing in the type of area you are most comfortable with is easier with a good map. For example, if you prefer fishing in small protected coves on the north side of a lake, you can see that area G is right for you.
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When you catch a bass, look at map details and then find other areas with similar features. Move to these spots when the bass stop biting in your original spot.
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Tips & Warnings
You should also study the habits of bass. By knowing how wind, current and seasonal changes affect bass movement, you'll have a better idea of what to look .
