Structure Fishing

Are you a structure fisherman? Perhaps you are and don't know it or perhaps you don't even know what a structure fisherman is. Either way, structure fishing is something you need to learn about. It is one of the most important keys to being a successful fisherman.

Structure Definition

So - by definition, just what is considered structure? Let's take a look and see.

Structure can be defined as any type of irregular feature on the bottom that makes an area stand apart from the surrounding bottom area. It can literally be as small as a rock or as large as a ship. For our fishing purposes, any bottom feature can be classified as structure:

• Rock Piles
• Channels
• Natural Reef Formations
• Artificial Reefs and Sunken Ships
• Natural Ledges
• Jetties
• Pilings, Docks, Markers and Piers
• Oyster Bars and Sand Bars

Everything in the above list is considered structure when we talk about fishing structure.

Structure Attracts Fish

• The whole idea behind sinking culverts, old ships, and barges to make an artificial reef is to attract fish. Lots of bottom areas along our coastlines - both east and west - are void of any sea life. It's just a sand or mud bottom for miles.
• Fish are constantly feeding, and the food chain begins with sea life. Small fish feed on small crustaceans and small sea life. Larger fish feed on the smaller fish, and - well you get the picture. If you want to catch fish, you need to fish where large fish are feeding. Structure begins by fist attracting the smallest sea life - and the whole picture grows from there.

When to Fish Structure

This is really sort of a trick topic.

• Any time you fish you need to be fishing structure.
• Freshwater Fishing Guide for About.com, Ronnie Garrison tells us on his Freshwater Fishing site that structure is an important part of freshwater fishing.
• Fishing where there is no structure will almost certainly result in zero fish.

So the answer here is that, if you plan to catch fish, you should always fish structure!.

How to Fish Structure

• Each fishing opportunity presents a different challenge to anglers. Each type of structure requires different tackle set-ups and perhaps even different baits.
• So, we have provided below some tips and tactics to fish each of these types of structure:
  • Artificial Reefs and Sunken Ships
  • Natural ledges
  • Natural Reefs and Rock Piles
  • Channels
  • Pilings, Docks, Markers and Piers
  • Oyster Bars and Sand Bars

  Words of Advice

  Whenever and wherever you fish, you are eventually going to find the need to anchor. Each of these structure fishing opportunities requires that you anchor at some point. Be aware of your surroundings! There are different types of anchors designed to be used in specific circumstances.

  Natural reefs, live bottom, oyster bars - anywhere they is marine life can be damaged by anchors - and often quite severely. In many locations, permanent anchoring buoys have been provided that allow anglers and divers to tie up rather than use their anchor. Most often over a live reef formation, these buoys allow access to the reef without anchor damage.

  Oyster bars are the same way. They are small marine sanctuaries for juvenile marine life - crabs and other crustaceans, small fish - a regular nursery. This nursery is what draws the larger fish that we pursue. If we damage their homes, they will slowly disappear.

  So make sure that when you anchor, you are in the right place and that you are not inflicting damage to the nurseries! It's important for them and for our future fishing! Let's keep things for our kids and grandkids!