Capt. Mike Gerry relies on flipping to put big fish in the boat, but this year the pattern has changed on Guntersville

Over many years as a professional bass guide I’ve formed some firm opinions about the kinds of areas where flipping can be counted on to produce good fish. For instance, you shouldn’t just stop at the first grassy area you see and start flipping. Instead, target smaller grass mats. The extremely big, massive flats just offer too much area for a fisherman to work effectively with a flipping rod.

This year, though, the grass on Guntersville has undergone such a radical change that I’ve had to modify some of my long-held beliefs. Due to extensive herbicide spraying by lakeside homeowners, there aren’t as many massive grass mats. And many of the shallow grassy areas aren’t holding fish like they used to. To stay on fish, I’ve learned to adjust.

The first thing I look for now is deep water — 8 to 15 feet depths — along the edge of a grass mat. These deep-water edges are pretty jagged, with cuts, holes, and pockets that provide good ambush points that big bass prefer. This can really be the ticket for catching fish while flipping.

Once you’ve located the more productive deeper mats and areas, then you need to start looking for baitfish. This is essential. If you don’t see baitfish, move on.

This year on Guntersville many areas where there baitfish were once abundant now have hardly any, so pay close attention to your depth finder, keep a sharp eye out for baitfish movement, and be sure there is forage in the area before you start flipping.

Bass tend to remain close to their food source and close to cooler, well-oxygenated deep water, so when you find grass mats with deep edges and lots of bait together, you’ll get better results.

Lastly concentrate on the areas where the grass is thinning out. Generally speaking the thinning areas of the mats produce a good flipping bite. Scattered clumps of grass with plenty of open water around them are prime ambush areas, and the biggest bass will be found there.

Another area to target is where the grass mat comes to a point. Grass points are no different from island points; both of them generally hold fish. Work them thoroughly, especially at the zone where the thickest grass transitions to the thinnest areas.

I assure you, the key elements I described here will help you find the bigger fish flipping!

Captain Mike Gerry
Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service
Web: www.fishlakeguntersvilleguideservice.com
Email: bassguide@comcast.net
(256) 759-2270