Where do they go?

[carman]

3 weeks in a row I have found green and brownd fish in jumps out on flats. Sun sets and there gone.I have tried staying on the flats, then to the first break, then to the river. I don't know if its me or what. What do you guys think and what would you do? BY the way, these are decent fish 2-4lbs

[Danny]

From what I remember of the articles I've read, bass have a sight advantage over their prey fish when it is time for dusk. Either the dusk of night, or the dusk of dawn. I've read that bass can adjust their vision more quickly than the prey fish, shad etc.... and so their hunting changes during these times.

First, where does the bait fish go? That's the first question to ask. I think it is somewhat logical to assume that if the shad can not see as well, and seek shelter, they would head to cover. As a result, I would expect the bass to move near that cover to set up for ambush.

Further, bass are wary of predators that would hunt them as well, such as prey birds. With the in mind, as the light fails, I would expect the bass to then venture into shallower water.

So, I would then begin to put this together this way, I would expect to find the fish near shallower water, maybe even the bank, that offers cover for the bait fish, and still offers deep water access very quickly.

Now I don't fish at night, but just some thoughts.

Danny

[CTFSHWHISKER]

i had a similar expeience last year at rough caught some real nice largemouth 2-3lb with one over seven in jumps prefishing for a tournament thought it would be easy go to the nearest structure and some would have to be there.They quit jumping at about 8am and i never found them on anything.
my take on it.withe the cover leaving as fast as it is and the pressure on these fish they suspend a lot and become hard to pattern.They have nothing to do but swim and eat.