Okay, let’s cut to the chase—if you’ve been following my deep water reservoir fishing series, you know we’ve covered gear setups, bait choices, and how to hook and fight fish. But man, the number of DMs I’ve gotten from fellow anglers asking about the real secret sauce? Choosing the right spot. Because let’s be honest—you can have the fanciest rod and the smelliest bait, but if you’re fishing where the fish aren’t? You’re just wasting time (and maybe getting sunburned). So today, we’re diving into everything I’ve learned about picking deep water reservoir spots—no fluff, just real-world experience.
1. Season & Weather: The Make-or-Break Factors for Reservoir Fishing Spots
Let’s start with the basics—this isn’t rocket science, but it’s the foundation of every good spot. Fish are cold-blooded, so their habits change with the thermometer and the sky. Let’s break it down:
Warm Seasons (Summer & Fall): Chase Oxygen, Not Just Depth
First off—forget “deeper = better” in summer and fall. Wait, hear me out! When the sun’s blazing, shallow water gets warm, but here’s the kicker: shallow areas with plants? Those plants do photosynthesis like crazy, pumping oxygen into the water. Fish love oxygen—they’re like us, gasping for fresh air on a hot day. So if it’s a sunny week? You can’t go wrong with these spots:
- Points (the “nose” of the reservoir): Fish cruise along these to check out the shoreline. I’ve caught bass and catfish here after a rainstorm—they love the current pushing baitfish into the point.
- Backwaters (sloughs or coves): These are like fish nurseries. Baitfish hang out here, so big fish follow. Just watch for snags—trees and weeds love backwaters too.
- Current breaks: If the reservoir has a dam or inflow, the water moves. Fish sit behind rocks or logs where the current slows—they can ambush prey without fighting the flow. Genius, right?
But what if it’s cloudy for days? Oh, this is where people mess up. Clouds block sunlight, so plants slow down photosynthesis. Shallow water might get low oxygen, but deep water is worse—light can’t reach the bottom, so no oxygen production. So I’ll target spots that are not too deep, not too shallow—like 10-15 feet. Think of it as the “middle ground” where oxygen levels stay steady. Also, avoid super shallow spots (less than 5 feet) on cloudy days—water warms up fast, but oxygen drops even faster. I learned this the hard way: sat in a 3-foot cove for 2 hours, caught nothing, and saw a turtle surface like, “Dude, what are you doing?”
Cold Seasons (Spring & Winter): Find the Fish’s “Safe Space”
Cold water = fish slow down. Way down. They don’t want to swim far, so they huddle in spots that stay slightly warmer. Here’s what to look for:
- Deep holes near shallow flats: In spring, fish move to shallow flats to spawn, but if the water drops, they bolt to the nearest deep hole. I’ve caught bass here in March—they were hiding in 20-foot holes but darting up to 5-foot flats to feed.
- Sun-facing banks: South-facing banks get more sunlight, so the water warms up faster. Even 1-2 degrees makes a difference. I once fished a south bank in January—caught a 12-pound catfish that was soaking up the sun like a lizard.
- Structure near deep water: Logs, rocks, or old brush piles in 15-25 feet. Fish use these as cover and don’t have to move far to find food. Pro tip: Use a depth finder to mark these spots—you’ll see the “blob” of fish hanging around the structure.
Winter is brutal—fish are basically in hibernation mode. I’ve had days where I didn’t get a bite until 1 PM, when the sun was highest. So don’t give up early! Patience is key here.
2. Night Fishing in Reservoirs: Why Deep Water Is a No-Go (Most of the Time)
Oh, night fishing—my favorite! The air is cool, the bugs are gone, and sometimes you catch the biggest fish of the year. But here’s the thing: deep water at night is usually dead. Let me explain:
At night, there’s no sunlight, so plants stop making oxygen. Deep water already has low oxygen (since light can’t reach the bottom), and without photosynthesis? It’s a fish graveyard. So where do the fish go? They move to shallow water near deep water—the “transition zones.” Here’s my go-to spots for night fishing:
Transition Zones: The Fish Superhighway
Transition zones are where shallow water (5-10 feet) meets deep water (15+ feet). Fish use these to move between feeding areas (shallow) and safety (deep). Think of it like a fish’s front door—they come out to eat, then dart back if they see a threat. I’ve caught catfish, bass, and even walleye here at night. Pro tip: Use a glow-in-the-dark bait—fish can see it better in low light.
Hucas (Horseshoe Bends): The Hidden Gem
Wait, what’s a “huca”? It’s a horseshoe-shaped bend in the reservoir. These spots trap food—current pushes baitfish into the bend, so big fish wait there to ambush. I once fished a huca at 10 PM and caught a 15-pound flathead catfish. The water was moving slow, and the baitfish were jumping like crazy—total fish magnet.
Shoreline Structure: Logs, Rocks, and Weeds
Fish love cover at night—they feel safe. So look for logs sticking out of the water, rock piles near the shore, or thick weed beds. I’ll cast my bait right next to a log and wait—usually 5-10 minutes, and boom, a bite. Just be careful not to snag your line—logs are sneaky.
And here’s a quick rant: Stop fishing 30-foot deep water at night! I’ve seen so many anglers set up in the middle of the reservoir, drop a bait 20 feet, and wonder why they catch nothing. Save your energy—stick to the transition zones and shoreline structure. Trust me, your arms will thank you (no more reeling up 20 feet of line every time).
3. Secret Spots: The Reservoir Fishing Locations No One Talks About
Okay, let’s get into the good stuff—spots that most anglers miss. These are the “hidden gems” that can make your day:
Drop-Offs: The Fish’s “Escape Route”
Drop-offs are where the water goes from shallow to deep suddenly—like a cliff underwater. Fish love these because they can feed in the shallow water and dart down to the deep if a predator comes. Look for drop-offs near points or coves. I once found a drop-off in a small cove—caught 3 bass in 20 minutes. The key? Cast your bait to the edge of the drop-off, not the bottom of it.
Old Creek Beds: The Forgotten Highway
Before the reservoir was built, there were creeks here. The old creek beds are still underwater—they’re like roads for fish. Baitfish follow the creek beds, so big fish do too. Use a depth finder to find these—they’ll show up as a “valley” in the otherwise flat bottom. I’ve caught catfish and walleye here in the spring—they were migrating up the creek bed to spawn.
Dam Outflows: The Oxygen Boost
Dams release water, which brings in fresh oxygen. Fish love oxygen, so they’ll hang out near the outflow. Just be careful—current can be strong here. Use a heavy weight to keep your bait on the bottom. I once fished a dam outflow in the summer—caught a 10-pound bass that was chasing baitfish in the current.
4. Common Mistakes Anglers Make When Choosing Reservoir Spots
Let’s wrap this up with the mistakes I see every single time I go fishing. Don’t be this guy:
- Fishing the same spot every time: Fish move! If you caught a bass there last week, it’s probably gone now. Try new spots—you never know what you’ll find.
- Ignoring the wind: Wind pushes baitfish to the shore, so fish follow. If the wind is blowing, fish the shoreline that the wind is hitting. I once ignored the wind and fished the opposite shore—caught nothing. Switched to the windward shore, caught 5 fish in 30 minutes.
- Not using a depth finder: Depth finders aren’t just for fancy boats—you can get a portable one for $50. They show you structure, drop-offs, and even fish. I used to fish blind, but now I mark spots and come back to them. Game-changer.
Alright, that’s all for now. I hope these tips help you catch more fish—they’ve worked for me, even on days when the weather was weird or the fish were being stubborn. Remember, fishing is about having fun, not just catching fish. But hey, catching fish makes it way more fun, right? If you have a secret spot you want to share, drop it in the comments—let’s help each other out. Tight lines, everyone!
