Deep Bass Help!

Ok I'm turning to some of the experts here. I can catch bass up shallow no problem but I have been wanting to expand my range further offshore and I just can't seem to get them deep.

I was fishing the north end of Pigeon on Saturday and fishing deep water 25-35ft without much luck. I was tossing spinnerbaits, crankbaits and eventually just started tossing some plastic worms. Water clarity was nil.

I used my electronics to locate ledges. drop offs and humps, is it possible that the fish haven't moved deep yet? Thought it would have been a perfect smallmouth day with the wind and a wee bit of chop.

I'm purposely trying to avoid shallow bass in order to work on my deep game.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Try drop shotting. Use quick release sinkers for 2 reasons: 1- if you snag, you aren't wasting time retying your set up and more importantly 2- it allows you to quickly adjust your bait depth. I typically leave around 2-3 feet of tag from my hook, and play around with my sinker location until I figure out what depth the fish are hitting/bait location. 6-8lb fluorocarbon leader if you use braid as your main line (which I'm assuming since you seem to be tossing lures primarily). Use size 1 drop shot hooks with a 2-3" plastic minnow; anything bigger is too heavy and your bait won't stay horizontal. Jig with a 3/8 ounce if the fish are hitting bigger plastics and/or if they are up off the bottom. The key is to keep your line vertical.

I'm not claiming to be an expert, but I have had lots of success using this method. It is also how most of the guys fish Lake Erie. You could also try three way trolling with cranks to get the bait deeper. Sounds like fishing overall has been tough but at the end of the day, if you have success shallow and aren't catching them deep, keep fishing shallow until that pattern stops working, then start searching new water/tactics. Hope this helped.

I also struggle when not in 7 ft of water!!
I find using deep crankbaits - 12ft + works some times? Or even a hair jig?
good luck.

Drop shot is your best way. Plastic minnow. Paddle tale. Don’t jig it quick, use slow motions for action. Mega bass plastics

Think ice fishing. Vertical jigging bass in the fall is by far the deadliest technique I use all year. Wolfpacks of smallies out over deep water just waiting to be caught. Mark them then drop your fav icefishing jig/spoon/whatever on their heads.

Thanks everyone. I will give these a try!

When fishing deep, I think it's important that you mark them first. Then drop shot always works.

Did our fall Georgian Bay trip last weekend (a month sooner than we usually go). Deep water where we always do well, was a blank screen.

i know the feeling. I'm currently in the St Lawrence and using the same tactic. I've gone from 4 FOW to 90 FOW and haven't marked a single fish larger than a school of bait fish hovering at 30' over 55' (nothing else around them). Very frustrating!!

Speaking from my own personal experience..you said you were fishing north pigeon 25-35 ft. I’d say your fishing too deep for the Kawarthas. I’ve heard of guys getting them that deep once in a blue moon. Again personally I’ve never got a smallie any deeper than 17ft fishing north pigeon. Anyone that knows me on here can vouch I’ve spent some time fishing for deep smallies on Tri lakes. Again I’m not saying they aren’t 25-30ft deep. I just wouldn’t spend a ton of time looking for them that deep. I don’t go any deeper than that 15-17ft range and depends on time of year as well. This summer has been one of the best summers I’ve had for deep smallies in awhile. Shallow smallies have been good as well on tri lakes.

Drop shot or ned rig works best like others have posted.

Now deep largies typically 8-14ft in the weeds or on the edges of weedbeds. I know out on lake Simcoe guys get largies in 20ft or more.

Use a flipping jig or heavy drop shot works. I’m talking 17lb fluorocarbon on a med/heavy rod. Use a creature bait of your choice with a 3/0 wide gap hook and heavier weight so it will go through the weeds.Throw it into the thick of the weedbeds or pockets and hold on tight if the fish are there.

Hope this helps... this is just from all my own experiences fishing the
Kawarthas so please don’t shoot me if you feel I’m wrong 😎