Fishing riprap shorelines is a great avenue to search out smallmouth and largemouth alike. Photo: Zach Rinn
Riprap is something that can be found on pretty much any lake or river. Riprap is rock that has been placed on the bank to prevent boat wakes and waves from eroding the shoreline. Riprap will primarily be found on developed sections of shoreline, around bridges and sections of the main channel on large river systems, such as the California Delta or the Mississippi River.
WHY BASS ARE ATTRACTED TO RIPRAP
One primary reason that riprap holds bass, is that algae will grow on the rocks, thus attracting aquatic insects, bringing in bluegills or baitfish and finally calling the bass in!
The rock will also help the water on them warm quicker than other areas of the lake or river, so in the fall, riprap is a great place to start the day when water temperatures are still low in your other fishing areas.
KEYS TO RIPRAP TARGETS
Being that the amount of riprap on a given body of water may be endless, here are some tips on identifying key sections along these rock lined shorelines.
- I like to look for riprap that is close to deep water, as this allows the bass to slide up and down the steeper break line easily. To locate this, I’ll pay close attention to my Humminbird electronics with the LakeMaster chip in it to see where the deep water butts right up to the riprap. I’ll also be looking for small riprap points that extend out into the deeper water, and while side imaging, I’m always on the lookout for that lone boulder that is sitting on the flat.
- When I start catching bass on riprap, I am sure to identify any other forms of cover that are present, such as laydowns, stumps or grass. Anytime I can combine multiple forms of cover, it allows me to pattern the bass quicker.
- I also pay attention to how the current is hitting the rock, meaning I’m looking for sections of riprap that have a current break or if the current is non-existent; then I’ll want to fish the section that has the current hitting it.
- I start out fishing riprap by covering water quickly, as this will allow me to identify any key sections that are holding more bass than other sections. Fishing a topwater plug or War Eagle Buzzbait parallel to the rocks is a great way to do this and entice a strike from a big fall bass. If the bass aren’t interested in topwater lures, a sub-surface lure like a square-billed crankbait or a 3/8 –ounce War Eagle Spinnerbait that has a tandem Colorado/Willowleaf blade combination is my go-to bait.
- When I locate a key section or riprap or if the fishing pressure or weather conditions dictate that a need to slow down, I’ll flip a ½-ounce War Eagle Flipping Jig in black/blue or green pumpkin, depending on the water clarity and I’ll use a Zoom Super Chunk as a trailer.
The next time you drop your boat in the water on your favorite lake or river, don’t just drive by that riprap by the boat ramp or around a bridge, drop your trolling motor and make some casts as you may be surprised at the fishing action you may be in for!
For more information check out glennwalkerfishing.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/glennwalkerfishing.
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