How-To

Mark Davis’ five favorite summertime targets

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Mark Davis has enjoyed a storied career having earned 19 GEICO Bassmaster Classic appearances, one of which he won in 1995, and he is a three-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. He sat down with us and talked about his five favorite summertime bass structural elements — in no particular order. Davis said that his favorites have biting fish on them. Touché.
Mark Davis has enjoyed a storied career having earned 19 GEICO Bassmaster Classic appearances, one of which he won in 1995, and he is a three-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. He sat down with us and talked about his five favorite summertime bass structural elements — in no particular order. Davis said that his favorites have biting fish on them. Touché.
Long tapering, submerged main-lake points
Long tapering, submerged main-lake points
“Main-lake points will usually hold a lot of summertime bass, especially because they hold a lot of bait. The best ones will be close to the main river channel with deep-water access nearby. Those points get even better if there are rock piles, timber, brush piles or submerged vegetation.”
“Main-lake points will usually hold a lot of summertime bass, especially because they hold a lot of bait. The best ones will be close to the main river channel with deep-water access nearby. Those points get even better if there are rock piles, timber, brush piles or submerged vegetation.”
Submerged humps
Submerged humps
“A submerged hump is similar to a long point. They are best when adjacent to deep water or the main river channel. I believe that fish will relate to a hump in the same way they’ll relate to a point. But, not every hump or point is created equal. It’s important to look for and identify certain aspects of each hump that stand out. Another thing to keep in mind is that the depth on the top of that hump is a primary factor to how productive it will be. But, determining which depth is ideal can only be determined by fishing them. But, once you determine that factor, replicating the pattern on other similar humps is easy.”
“A submerged hump is similar to a long point. They are best when adjacent to deep water or the main river channel. I believe that fish will relate to a hump in the same way they’ll relate to a point. But, not every hump or point is created equal. It’s important to look for and identify certain aspects of each hump that stand out. Another thing to keep in mind is that the depth on the top of that hump is a primary factor to how productive it will be. But, determining which depth is ideal can only be determined by fishing them. But, once you determine that factor, replicating the pattern on other similar humps is easy.”
Outside or inside weed edges
Outside or inside weed edges
“Naturally, fishing weed edges during the summer typically means the outside, or deeper edge. And that’s not wrong at all. But the inside weed edge often gets overlooked. But, summertime weedlines are high on my list. There are always fish there. They have cover, deep water, baitfish — you name it. This is where I’ll usualy start looking for bass. But, any time rock or wood is present along the outside weed edge the spot gets even better. In general, whenever there are two or more structural elements in the same location, the fish are more likely to be there. The inside weed edge gets especially good during the late summer when the lake’s oxygen levels are low. A lot of the fish move shallow and position themselves on the inside weedline, but another contributing factor will be a bluegill spawn that occurs on every full moon throughout the summer. The bass will be in there feeding on the bluegills. Be sure to check both the inside and outside edge.”
“Naturally, fishing weed edges during the summer typically means the outside, or deeper edge. And that’s not wrong at all. But the inside weed edge often gets overlooked. But, summertime weedlines are high on my list. There are always fish there. They have cover, deep water, baitfish — you name it. This is where I’ll usualy start looking for bass. But, any time rock or wood is present along the outside weed edge the spot gets even better. In general, whenever there are two or more structural elements in the same location, the fish are more likely to be there. The inside weed edge gets especially good during the late summer when the lake’s oxygen levels are low. A lot of the fish move shallow and position themselves on the inside weedline, but another contributing factor will be a bluegill spawn that occurs on every full moon throughout the summer. The bass will be in there feeding on the bluegills. Be sure to check both the inside and outside edge.”
Creek channels
Creek channels
“Creek channels are more likely to hold fish in riverine lakes over highland reservoirs because there is more of a defined ledge, and that is key to holding fish. Productive creek channels can be the main river channel or tributaries; even submerged small ditches can create the kind of ledge that fish will relate to. Basically, fresh water is constantly being pushed through the area, and keeps oxygen levels where they need to be, which in turn keeps vegetation alive, attracts baitfish and that means big bass. Look for baitfish activity on your graph, and try to determine if they are relating to a hard spot, or a brush pile, or whatever. But, once you figure out why the fish are there, you can usually catch the biggest fish of the summer along creek channels.”
“Creek channels are more likely to hold fish in riverine lakes over highland reservoirs because there is more of a defined ledge, and that is key to holding fish. Productive creek channels can be the main river channel or tributaries; even submerged small ditches can create the kind of ledge that fish will relate to. Basically, fresh water is constantly being pushed through the area, and keeps oxygen levels where they need to be, which in turn keeps vegetation alive, attracts baitfish and that means big bass. Look for baitfish activity on your graph, and try to determine if they are relating to a hard spot, or a brush pile, or whatever. But, once you figure out why the fish are there, you can usually catch the biggest fish of the summer along creek channels.”
Brush piles
Brush piles
“Brush piles are typically man-made structure, and they are just hard to beat during the summer. They are so productive because they are typically placed in locations that were pretty good to begin with. Added structure only makes a good spot even better. From my experience a brush pile is usually the most consistent place to find big summertime bass. Now, not all brush piles are created equal, but generally speaking, the deeper the brush pile, the better the fishing will be. I won the Classic in August by fishing brush piles that were originally placed by crappie anglers, but they were filled up with bass. I’m a true believer in summertime brush piles.”
“Brush piles are typically man-made structure, and they are just hard to beat during the summer. They are so productive because they are typically placed in locations that were pretty good to begin with. Added structure only makes a good spot even better. From my experience a brush pile is usually the most consistent place to find big summertime bass. Now, not all brush piles are created equal, but generally speaking, the deeper the brush pile, the better the fishing will be. I won the Classic in August by fishing brush piles that were originally placed by crappie anglers, but they were filled up with bass. I’m a true believer in summertime brush piles.”
If you saw Bigfoot along the shoreline during one of your tournaments, who would you tell first, B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon or Director of Web Content Steve Bowman?
If you saw Bigfoot along the shoreline during one of your tournaments, who would you tell first, B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon or Director of Web Content Steve Bowman?
“Well, that’s a tough one … I guess that depends on who I think would believe me first and not have me committed! Definitely Bowman, he believes everything I say!” (laughter)
“Well, that’s a tough one … I guess that depends on who I think would believe me first and not have me committed! Definitely Bowman, he believes everything I say!” (laughter)

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