Creek channels are great locations to discover off shore schools of fish. Creek channels are migration routes for these schools. Creek channels intersect with other creek channels, pass under roadways (bridges and culverts), and have bends which were created before the reservoir was impounded. Bends in creek are usually created when moving water encounters rock and the moving water seeks a path of less resistance. These rocky creek channel bends can often be loaded with huge schools of fish.

To locate creek channels simply graph across a cove, if a defined creek channel exist you will see a distinct increase in depth and then a decrease. I like to look at creek channels that are about 15 foot deep on the sides and drop to 20 plus feet in the bottom of the creek. Place a WayPoint Marker on one side on the creek and then turn around and start graphing the creek back into the cove (spring and fall) or out towards the main body of water (summer and winter), placing marker every 50 feet or so.

When you discover a dramatic change in the direction of the creek, mark this area and look for the area with the most brush and rock. This area will usually also be the area with the fastest change in depth, indicating rock. Again, you have found a sweet spot (critical area).

Intersections of creek channels are also great locations to find huge off shore schools of fish. To locate intersections find a creek channel and graph it out or in until you discover and area where your depth increases, then decreases and again increases. You have either discovered an intersection or a part of the creek where it bends back very fast. Use you graph with a good lake map will also help you discover these creek channel intersections.

PRADCO bass fishing pro Jimmy Mason of Rogersville, Alabama explains the importance and functionality of marker buoys. Jimmy lists them as one of the most important pieces of equipment he couldn't be on the water without having them in his boat!