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How to Catch Suspended Bass: Tips and Techniques for Success

By: FishUSA Staff

March 25, 2025

Suspended bass can be one of the most challenging fish to catch because they are not relating to the bottom or structure. Instead, they hold at varying depths in open water, often chasing baitfish or waiting for the right feeding opportunity. This guide covers where to find suspended bass, the best lures to use, and the most effective techniques for getting them to bite.

Suspended bass can be one of the most challenging fish to catch because they are not relating to the bottom or structure. Instead, they hold at varying depths in open water, often chasing baitfish or waiting for the right feeding opportunity. This guide covers where to find suspended bass, the best lures to use, and the most effective techniques for getting them to bite.

Table of Contents

  • What Are Suspended Bass?
  • Why Do Bass Suspend?
  • How to Locate Suspended Bass
  • Best Lures for Suspended Bass
  • Effective Techniques for Catching Suspended Bass
  • Best Conditions for Targeting Suspended Bass
  • Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • Conclusion

What Are Suspended Bass?

Suspended bass are fish that hold in the water column at a specific depth instead of relating to the lake bottom or structure. They can be found in open water, near ledges, under docks, or in deep basins, depending on the time of year and the availability of food.

Why Do Bass Suspend?

Understanding why bass suspend helps you predict their movements and adjust your fishing strategy accordingly.

  • Following Baitfish: Many times, bass suspend to follow schools of shad, herring, or alewives.
  • Water Temperature Changes: During summer and winter, bass suspend to stay in comfortable temperature zones.
  • Barometric Pressure: After a cold front, bass may suspend and become less aggressive.
  • Lack of Structure: In reservoirs and deep lakes with minimal cover, bass often suspend because there is no structure nearby.

How to Locate Suspended Bass

Since suspended bass are not directly related to the bottom, finding them requires a different approach. Here’s how to locate them efficiently.

1. Use Electronics

Electronics are crucial for finding and catching suspended bass. Although they can be found and caught using traditional 2D sonar, this only allows you to see what’s directly under the boat. Forward facing sonar is an irreplaceable tool when it comes to fishing for suspended bass. Garmin Livescope, Lowrance Active Target, and Hummminbird Mega Live all allow the angler to see what’s in front of the boat in real time. Therefore, one can scan for baitfish or bass, find them suspended at any depth, and actively present their bait to them as if they were sight fishing. 

2. Look for Baitfish Activity

Seagulls, diving birds, and surface disturbances often indicate the presence of baitfish. Suspended bass frequently position themselves below these bait schools. Drive over to these areas and use your electronics to further dial them in. 

3. Target Bluff Walls and Steep Drop-offs

Bluff walls and steep drop-offs provide an easy transition from deep to shallow water. Bass will often suspend off these structures while waiting to ambush prey.

4. Fish Under Floating Docks

In lakes with docks, bass frequently suspend under floating platforms to find shade and ambush prey.

Best Lures for Suspended Bass

Since suspended bass aren’t actively holding to cover or structure, you need lures that stay in the strike zone longer and mimic the natural movements of baitfish.

1. Jerkbaits

Suspending jerkbaits are one of the most effective ways to target suspended bass. They stay in the water column longer and allow for long pauses, which entice bites.

  • Use long pauses between twitches to trigger sluggish bass.
  • Match the color to the local baitfish (shad, blueback herring, etc.). 

2. Straight Tail Minnows/Soft Plastic Jerkbaits 

Soft plastic, straight tail minnows rigged on a jighead are deadly for suspended bass, especially when paired with forward facing sonar. These baits look very natural and trigger strikes when fished just above a bass’s head. 

  • Pair with an appropriate size jig head to match depth/bait size.
  • Find marks on your electronics and present the bait just above the bass. 

3. Swimbaits

Soft and hard-bodied swimbaits effectively mimic baitfish and can be counted down to the exact depth where bass are suspending.

  • Use a slow, steady retrieve to keep the bait at the right depth.
  • Try rigging a paddle tail swimbait on a jighead for better depth control.

4. Drop Shot Rig

The drop shot rig is perfect for keeping a soft plastic bait suspended at a precise depth, making it ideal for vertical fishing.

  • Use a finesse worm or shad-style bait.
  • Adjust the leader length to position the bait at the right depth.

5. Spy Baits

Spy baits are finesse lures designed to sink slowly and move subtly, making them great for catching finicky suspended bass.

  • Use a slow, steady retrieve to maximize effectiveness.
  • Best for clear water conditions.

6. Vertical Jigging Spoons

Metal spoons dropped to the depth where bass are suspended can trigger aggressive bites, especially in the winter.

  • Let the spoon fall to the bass's depth, then use short hops.
  • Works best when fish are grouped tightly together.

Effective Techniques for Catching Suspended Bass

1. Counting Down Your Lure

Since suspended bass hold at a specific depth, counting down your lure ensures it reaches the strike zone.

  • Most lures can be counted down 1 foot per second.
  • Start retrieving when you reach the desired depth.

2. Fishing with Electronics

Electronics are a phenomenal tool for use with targeting suspended bass. If using 2D sonar, find arches on your screen and drop your bait directly over them. If using forward facing sonar, look for marks in front of the boat and make a cast to them. 

3. Slow and Subtle Presentations

Suspended bass can be lethargic at times. When they are, a slow and steady retrieve works best for triggering strikes.

4. Mid-Column Retrieves

Use swimbaits, jerkbaits, or spy baits and retrieve them at a consistent mid-depth where bass are suspended.

Best Conditions for Targeting Suspended Bass

1. Cold Fronts and High Pressure

During high-pressure systems, bass tend to suspend higher in the water column. Finesse techniques work best.

2. Summer Heat

In warm water, bass suspend deeper to stay in the cooler thermocline layer.

3. Fall Turnover

As the water cools, bass follow baitfish and suspend in mid-depths before transitioning to winter holding areas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Fishing Too Fast: Suspended bass need more time to react, so slow down your retrieve.
  • Ignoring Your Electronics: A good fish finder is essential for locating suspended fish.
  • Not Matching the Hatch: Choose lures that closely resemble the baitfish in your lake.

Conclusion

Suspended bass can be difficult to catch, but by using the right electronics, lures, and fishing techniques, you can consistently find and catch them. Focus on jerkbaits, swimbaits, drop shots, and spy baits, and always pay attention to where bass are positioned in the water column. By mastering the art of targeting suspended fish, you’ll increase your success and catch more bass throughout the year.

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