Fish points for tops in summer bass action in North Carolina

Many fishermen recognize that points are special places when bass move deep

Points are among the most-recognizable features of any body of water. They are also great starting blocks for targeting bass as they ease offshore into their summer patterns. However, with a lake full of choices, learning to distinguish those with the most fish-holding potential and work them effectively will make you a better summertime bass fisherman. Try these tips for more success.

·     Fish points close to the river channel. “These points give bass the ability to move up and down in the water column in a short distance,” said Jonathan Phillips, a resident of Pittsboro and tournament angler. “They’ll move up into the shallower water to feed in the early morning and late evening. During midday, they’ll be more out on the ledge before it drops off into the river channel.” Phillips favors points in the mid-section of the lake throughout summer.

 Find the “sweet spot”. “I’m looking for isolated stumps and rocky outcroppings on these points,” said Phillips, “anything from pea gravel to chunk rock will hold fish. It could be just one rock sticking up down there. If you’re lucky enough to see a rock vein on the shoreline, that will continue into the water.”

Probe points with a football jig. According to Phillips, a half-ounce football jig dragged down the slope is an effective way to feel the structure you’re looking for and elicit an aggressive strike. “I like green pumpkin, junebug and brown colors with a Strike King Rage Tail Chunk for a trailer,” he said. “A Carolina rig is another good bait to throw. I personally use a half-ounce weight and 18 to 24 inches of leader. A Monster worm is a good plastic to use.”

Bump the bottom with a crankbait. “I want it to hit stumps, rocks, whatever’s down there,” said Phillips. “I’ll start out in the 6- to 8-foot range and venture out to 14 or 15 feet.” Phillips is partial to Bill Norman crankbaits, citing the Little N for shallower water, followed by the deep Little N for 9 to 12 feet, and the DD 22 for water up to 17 feet. For deeper bass, he will use a Strike King 6XD. He sticks to natural shad colors in blue and chartreuse when fishing crankbaits.

Target brush piles. “Crappie fishermen put out a lot of brush piles on points. Whenever I find one, I’ll mark it with a buoy, back off and fish it. Bass like them, too; they attract bluegills, shad, and crawfish. Everything gets in them.”