Covering water

Covering water cannot be a random exercise, "a blind chunk-and-wind deal," according to BASS touring pro Kenyon Hill.

"Covering water is the search mode," he explains. "The biggest mistake made by fishermen is how they decide where to go and where to start. For me, it's no different than fishing a tournament — I make a game plan when I'm trying to cover water.

"In my mind, I want a thumbnail sketch of the seasonal pattern, an overall view of what should be happening. Although I don't get real finite with it, I do make a conscious effort to fish certain things. I pay attention to the depth and go through a process of elimination. The whole key to covering water efficiently is to do it systematically. If you fish haphazardly, you go through a day and have nothing when it's done."