Hover Strolling Suspended Bass
Hover Strolling?
🎣How is Hover Strolling employed?
🤷When does the Hover Strolling presentation method work for Smallmouth?
✴️Which Hover Baits or “RIG” should you consider?
Black Bass, both Largemouth and Smallmouth, can suspend in the water column for various reasons, and the timing of this behavior can depend on several factors, including water temperature, prey availability, and environmental conditions. Firstly, here is why and when bass might suspend:
1. Temperature Stratification:
In the summer, many bodies of water undergo thermal stratification, with distinct layers of warm surface water and cooler, oxygen-rich water below. Bass may suspend in the thermocline, which is the middle layer between the warm surface and cold, deep water. This allows them to find the optimal temperature and oxygen levels.
Smallmouth may suspend before or after changes in water temps as a result of weather related event or a rise in water levels that is sudden and may also do so after spawning with a preference to suspending less in middle river conditions but aligned suspended near cover.
2. Prey Location:
Bass often suspend when they are actively hunting prey that is found higher in the water column. This behavior can occur at any time of the year, but it is particularly common in the late spring and early summer when baitfish and other forage species move to shallower water to spawn or feed but also in Fall when baitfish tend to be very active during the Fall Transition.
Identifying the movement as well as the spawn of forage species in your river systems will clue you in on the location of Smallmouth especially during the post spawn period where they are more inclined to feed up and replenish lost energy during the spawning cycle.
3. Low Light Conditions:
Bass may suspend in response to low light conditions, such as during overcast days, dawn, or dusk. During these times, they may move away from the shallows and hold at different depths, making use of the available cover and ambush points.
Heavy pressured lakes will experience more suspended bass especially in the evening due to higher boater traffic on the lake and fishing the hover rig can be highly effective in this period.
4. Changes in Water Levels:
Bass might suspend when there are rapid changes in water levels. For instance, in river systems, fluctuating water levels due to dam releases or heavy rain can cause bass to move to different depths to find stable conditions.
Often after high water events it may take a week or so for Smallmouth for example to return to normal staging and until then they often suspend middle river or will suspend to cover or structure depending upon the size and depth of the river system. For example Smallies in the New River will react differently to those in say the Shenandoah due to the size of the river system and topography of the river composition coupled with current flow or (CFS- cubic feet per second) movement.
5. Environmental Factors:
Unfavorable environmental conditions, such as low oxygen levels, extreme temperatures, or turbidity, can cause bass to suspend in more suitable parts of the water column.
6. Seasonal Changes:
In the late fall and early winter, bass may suspend in deeper water to find more stable temperatures as the surface water cools. They may also follow schools of baitfish that are migrating to deeper areas.
7. Fishing Pressure:
High fishing pressure can push bass to suspend in deeper water to avoid angling pressure in shallow areas. They may stay in deeper, less-pressured zones. This can specifically be applied to lakes with bass population in major lakes that are pressured by bass tournaments or heavy boater traffic.
8. Cover and Structure:
Bass may suspend near underwater structures like submerged trees, rock ledges, or drop-offs. These structures offer them cover and ambush points and can be found at various depths.
Understanding when and why bass suspend is important for targeting bass throughout the year. Anglers can adapt their techniques and presentations based on the behavior of bass in the water column. Livescope may certainly be changing the game somewhat in terms of fishing for Suspending Bass but using traditional depth finders, fish finders, and knowledge of conditions can help anglers target suspended bass effectively.
One of the newer techniques for targeting Suspending Bass is commonly known as “hover strolling”.
Hover strolling is a bass fishing technique that typically involves using an electric trolling motor to hold your boat (spot lock) in a stationary position or allow for slow, controlled movement while fishing in shallower water. The depths of the water differentiate from lakes to rivers for many using this technique. It is often used to target bass in specific areas with cover, structure, or when sight fishing but now more than ever being used to target Suspending Bass especially with the assist of Livescope. Here's how hover strolling can typically go:
Equipment Needed:
Electric Trolling Motor: A high-quality electric trolling motor with variable speed control is essential. Some trolling motors have advanced features like spot-lock technology that can hold your boat in place without manual adjustments.
Fishing Boat: A small fishing jon boat or kayak can be used for hover strolling. The boat should be suitable for shallow water fishing.
Fishing Rod and Reel: Depending on your fishing style, you may use spinning or baitcasting rods and reels, ideally with sensitive rods to feel subtle bites during the presentation.
Some now prefer to employ the Hover Rig with Livescope/Forward Facing Sonar especially at the professional level in major bass events now especially on lakes.
The Hover Strolling Technique:
Select the Right Area:
Hover strolling is most effective in shallow water, especially in areas with submerged vegetation, structure, or cover where bass are likely to be holding but also suspended in open water. Shallow for one may be different than shallow for another depending upon river or lake so keep this in mind.
Position Your Boat:
Use your trolling motor to carefully navigate to the desired fishing spot without disturbing the water or alerting the bass. Avoid making loud noises or rapid movements. Many opt to float drift in many instances.
Adjust Trolling Motor Speed: Set the trolling motor to the desired speed to either keep the boat stationary or allow for slow, controlled movement. Some modern trolling motors have features like spot-lock, which uses GPS to maintain the boat's position.
Cast and Retrieve: Cast your bait (jig, soft plastic, or other lures) toward potential bass-holding areas, such as underwater structure, weed beds, or visible bass. Once your bait is in the water, use a slow and controlled retrieve, giving bass ample time to react to your presentation.
Observe and Feel: Hover strolling allows you to closely observe bass behavior. Pay attention to subtle changes in line tension or any indication of a strike. Sight fishing is also possible when the water is clear, enabling you to see bass and cast directly to them. Livescope is changing the game in this regard in terms of observation of targeted bass.
Fine-Tune and Move: If you don't get any bites in a particular spot, you can fine-tune your trolling motor's position or make slight adjustments to your bait presentation. If you still don't have success, slowly and quietly move to another location with the trolling motor.
Be Patient: Hover strolling can be a slow and patient process. It's essential to remain still or move stealthily to avoid spooking the fish. Bass in shallow water can be skittish, so maintaining a low profile and quiet approach is key.
Hover strolling is an effective technique for targeting bass in multiple scenarios like shallow, cover-rich areas or deeper open water. It allows for precise bait placement, close observation of bass behavior, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. By carefully controlling your boat's movement with an electric trolling motor, you can enhance your chances of success when fishing for bass in these environments.
In the Fall, Smallmouth can move very quickly from shallow water to deeper water. This can fluctuate depending upon your river system but typically look for changes of about three to four feet or depression areas in the river. As the water begins to decline in water temps look for Smallmouth to move to bottom contact areas or adjacent to rock which may have exposed rock above surface because of the thermal transfer from the sun to rock to the bottom composition of your river. This can also happen with high water conditions of the late Spring and Summer as Smallies settle back into patterns.
Hover strolling techniques allow anglers to present soft plastic baits or finesse baits to suspended bass and keep them in contact with the right area of the water column more consistently and longer to attract strikes. Usually angler will throw baits like Jerkbaits and Crankbaits but these presentations require reeling for action and move quickly through a strike zone or target area.
Hovering allows just that. It allows the finesse bait to hover in the water column and if using electronics can be placed right on the level with the target bass and maintain that level working it with slow movements.
Most prefer an offset hook (usually 90 degree eye), nail weight and soft plastic when targeting these suspended bass which often can be very hard to entice or a pre set nail jig head combination rig. The nail weight provides a great opportunity to get a Fluke for example down into that target zone as opposed to only having that presentation near the top of the water column when nose hooked when simply using a off set hook over a pre rigged jig head set up. You can also use many of your shallow soft plastics that you would not normally consider using for targeting suspended smallies in many lakes and impoundments where the smallies are suspended in deeper water.
Next time your out in the Fall or late Spring OR you locate suspended bass post spawn during the recovery phase after spawning roll with this technique give the hover strolling presentation a go. Try it with your tubes when you come across some deeper pools as well in your rivers.
The Bent Rod Fishing Hover Rig is available pre rigged which is a great option and comes with the split tail which is a favorite for Smallmouth. These can be ordered direct from Bent Rod via the website here:
https://www.bentrodfishingusa.com
If you want to check these rigs out in action check out the Bent Rod You Tube Channel and start with this one on the Shenandoah River:
Resources—-
Join the Smallmouth Army: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1322144201945490
Follow on Chaser Channel on You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmallieChaserChannel
Tubespace Channel-
https://tubespace.io/thesmalliechaserchannel/videos
Subscribe to Free Newsletter Today!!
Our Premium Subscription will begin shortly where you can SUBSCRIBE and on a Monthly Basis “GET A BAIT” a month delivered right to your door for targeting Smallmouth. These baits will be custom baits and JDM- Japanese Domestic Market Finesse Baits perfect for Chasing Smallies!!