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Catching Fish By Fishing Riprap

Bass Fishing Riprap

By Ronnie Garrison, About.com

Truman Lake Bass From Riprap

This bass hit a tube on Truman Lake on the riprap. I caught it within 15 minutes of starting fishing on a lake I have never fished before.

2006 Ronnie Garrison licensed to About.com
A week ago last Sunday I caught two keeper bass while fishing riprap in a club tournament and placed second. Although the conditions were bad - cold, windy and rainy - and the water temperature was only 49, the 4-2 and 2-13 bass hit a crankbait while I was fishing riprap. Neither pulled very hard in the cold water, but I was happy to catch anything that day.

Fishing riprap has payed off for me many times over the years. A fisheries biologists once told me there were always bass on riprap. They find everything they need - cover, access to deep water and food - around the rocks.

About.com Saltwater Fishing Guide Ron Brooks and Jim Pope, maker of Granddaddy jigs and I fished Lake Wedowee in Alabama and the riprap paid off for us. Lake Oconee riprap paid off for BigAl when we went to get info for a magazine article.

My best catch ever came in a club tournament at Lake Oconee and they all hit spinnerbaits and plugs on riprap. Spinnerbaits are good slowrolled on the rocks, as are crankbaits fished around them. I like a jig and pig around the same rocks since lots of crayfish live there and bass love them.

I have even caught snakes on riprap!

When conditions are tough, check out riprap areas on the lake yoiu are fishing. Bass are there year round, and you can catch fish there. Don't forget the rocks!

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