Bridges over Fertile Water
By Paul Strege
The sounds of a rhythmic "bloop-bloop-bloop" resonate
in the darkness. A sudden, explosive splash raises just about every
hair on the back of my neck. I am not sitting watching a cheap horror
movie; rather, I am fishing under a highway overpass.
Bass holding under bridges is not news to anglers. Many are familiar
with their fertile ecosystems and fish-holding capabilities. However,
I challenge those anglers to move away from the rip rap banks and describe
in detail the bridge supporting structure beneath the water. Understanding
bridge foundation types, angling applications, and seasonal patterns
can be the key to selecting the most effective presentation for the
structure-minded bass.
For starters, a foundation is a term used to describe all the structural
components required to support a bridge deck. Foundations can be grouped
into two basic classifications: spread footings and piles. As its root
word insinuates, a footing resembles a "foot" placed upon
the river or lake bottom. A pile, on the other hand, extends beyond
the subsurface to a predetermined depth. Most anglers have seen both
foundation types, whether it was consciously recognized or not. From
the perspective of the bass, the various foundations represent a multitude
of habitats.
Above : Common Bridge Foundation Types |
There is More to a Bridge
than Meets the Eye
Spread footings are one of the oldest bridge foundation types. The
relative ease of construction has made these foundations commonplace
in historic applications. There are a few distinctive characteristics
to these supports. A large concrete "base plate" is constructed
upon a stable subsurface. That plate is generally rectangular in shape,
and can extend across the entire width of the bridge deck to support
single or multiple piers. Since the spread footing is thick, current
breaks are created at the bottom corners of the structure.
Conversely, bridge piles are relatively hydrodynamic in shape. They
can be identified as a series of steel cylinders. Piles, however, may
not be immediately visible above the water when a group is assembled
to create a pier. From above, a pier may look like a single support
to the bridge. While below, rows of piles bear the load of the structure.
Bridge piles are commonly drilled or driven, and the cylinder is often
used as a form for the poured concrete. While a single pile creates
less turbulence than spread footings, multiple piles are required to
carry the same loading. This provides additional locations for bass
to reside.
Using Current to Your
Advantage
Above : Current – Foundation
Effects |
Bridges
over rivers and streams can simplify the search for bass. Identifying
the current breaks, also known as eddies, within the system is the
key to narrowing that quest. Look for breaks at the downstream side
of the foundation. And, recognize that the size of that current break
can vary depending upon depth. The flow of water along the bottom of
a river is slowed due to the resistive drag against the bottom. Dropping
a lure into the specific break can be challenging. Casting upstream
and allowing the bait to find its way into the eddy is easier and will
place the bait in the strike zone for the greatest amount of time.
When bass are holding near the surface, use of a slow-sinking soft
plastic jerkbait like a Gambler Super Stud presents an offering that
the fish cannot refuse. Floating topwater poppers and walking baits
can also be maneuvered into the desired areas.
The zone at the base
of a bridge foundation can provide additional targets for the bass
angler desiring to put more fish in the boat. The drop shot rig,
popularized by national touring professionals, is a top choice for
effectively presenting lures at the bottom. In this technique, line
size plays a critical role. Lines that are too great in diameter will
pull the lure out from the current break and away from the fish. To
minimize the effect, selecting one with a smaller diameter is not a
bad idea; the challenging process of landing a big fish on light line
can only occur after it is enticed into a strike. As a second factor,
increased drag that accompanies larger lines will make strikes more
difficult to detect. Use of an ultra-sensitive, light-weight rod is
paramount when attempting to maintain feel with a lure in current.
Rogue Rods of White City, Oregon has three rods specifically tailored
to the drop shot technique. The DS 693S is one spinning model that
handles light line with ease. With small, featherweight Recoil line
guides, it is one of the lightest and most sensitive drop shot rods
on the market today. With the proper equipment, the drop shot can also
be effective around bridges where current is not commonplace.
Not all
bridges are constructed over rivers or streams. Many will cross over
channels separating bays or additional lakes in a chain. Those geographic
constrictions can have flow generated by factors other than gravity.
Wind is the most recognizable. A body of water exposed to differential
wind speeds creates “artificial” current.
In those situations, bass can be much more aggressive than their current-acclimated
counterparts when baitfish are caught off guard. With a spontaneous
flow, easy meals are at hand for hungry bass. The temporary current
can also occur in opposite directions within a relatively short period
of time. When a storm approaches with strong winds, a tidal effect
is created under the bridge as water surges from one area into the
other, and subsequently recedes to a stable level after the event.
In those circumstances, the movement is most prevalent at the top of
the water.
Above : The new Gambler Giggy Head |
The wind provides the force which acts upon the top of
the water column. Again, surface lures will be effective; however,
alternative bottom techniques that cannot be utilized in rivers are
also good choices. The new Gambler Giggy Head jig excels in chunk rock
and light bite situations. Coupled with a semi-buoyant finesse lure,
the jig will stand straight up when it comes into contact with the
bottom. In addition, the unique lure keeper extending below the head
is designed for easy weedless rigging and prevents rotational bait
fouling during light pick-ups.
Other Bridge Fishing Nuances
Erosion. Aside from providing feeding zones for awaiting bass, current
can indirectly create alternative targets for bridge fishermen. Foundation
scour is created by the turbulence around a footing. The various wakes
created between the foundation and water flow eventually erodes the
bottom away from the bridge pier. Additional areas for fish to hold
are created on both sides and even in front of the foundation as a
result of scour.
Shade. Another factor not to overlook when fishing bridges is shade.
The position of the sun in the horizon shades different areas around
a foundation throughout the day. Bass will use the shade to their advantage
in ambushing prey. The presence of shade, or lack thereof, can be used
to further refine bridge patterns for the time of day.
Autumn. The fall season brings migration of both bait fish and bass.
Migration routes through a lake chain or river system are often intersected
by bridges. Bridge system habitats that may only support a few bass
throughout the year can be fortified by migrating baitfish. This influx
of supplementary forage will attract additional bass, and often in
great numbers. In addition, the seasonal end of the aquatic vegetation
life cycle encourages bass to search for temporary habitat prior to
wintering. Chunking spinnerbaits and minnow-mimicking lures are
a perfect choice around bridges in the fall.
Rip Rap. Finally, rip
rap along the base of a foundation is often overlooked in lieu of
the obvious rocky banks leading to the bridge deck itself. Rip Rap
is often placed to provide additional protection against erosion
at the foundation base. The placement of foundation rock is most common
for older bridges and those structures that cross natural flowages
of water. Diving Crankbaits ricocheted off rip rap can elicit reaction
strikes where other techniques cannot. Carolina Rigged creature
baits and Ugly Otters retrieved upstream can be slid over and presented
tight to the rocks.
Too Simple for Some
The next time you are on the water,
don't overlook bridges. As simple as the structures may appear to be
from above, focusing on the structure beneath will give you a decisive
advantage when selecting the most effective presentation. For more
information on the new Gambler Giggy Head, visit Gambler's website: www.Gambler-Bang.com.
For information on Rogue Rod's Drop Shot Rod, visit: www.RogueRods.com.
For
more information on the article above, feel free to contact Paul
Strege at pstrege@hotmail.com