Targeting Spots vs Fan Casting

Targeting Spots is presenting a lure to a specific location where the lure is to pass through that spot or land on that spot containing the strike zone. Targeting spots typically are based on visual spot indicators, waypoints, or using forward facing sonar.

Fan Casting is a term used to make presentations in somewhat of a grid pattern.  Typically, it involves continuously casting a set distance away from the last cast either to the left or right while moving the boat forward. Fan casting is common when fishing structures such as a flat, a point, a ledge with either consistent cover, no cover, or when not concerned about the cover. Essentially, it is a tactic to cover water.

Why is Target Spots and Fan Casting Important?

Targeting Spots vs Fan Casting is important to:

Targeting Spots vs Fan Casting Options
  • Targeting Spots Options: Common to identify the most likely location also called “high probability spots” for the bass either:
    • Visible: Generally targeting visible cover or spots near shoreline.
    • With Electronics: Using:
      • Waypoints: Spots identified previously and marked as a waypoint.
      • Forward Facing Sonar: Spots identified in real time.
    • Cast Location:
      • Casting Past Spot: Casting past the spot with an initial action getting the lure into strike zone depth and retrieve through or contacting the spot.
      • Casting on Spot: Common when targeting cover.
    • Repetition:  Common to try a targeted cover from different angles. 
    • Targeting Cover: Targeting a spot with the intention of hitting cover. 
    • Not Targeting Cover: Targeting near cover, gaps in cover, spawning beds, bottom composition transitions.
    • Cast Closest First: Some suggest starting closest to the boat first and then targeting spots further and further away for example when targeting a laydown on a shoreline. The goal of this approach is not to spook the bass during the return.
  • Fan Casting Options: Common when fishing structures or not concerned about the cover.
    • Distance Between Casts: Choosing the distance between casts is often based on lure visibility with
    • Trolling Motor Speed: Generally, the expression “turning the trolling motor to high” is an indicator of covering water which often is accomplished by fan casting.  
    • With Topographical Graphs: Fan casting based on topographical graphs that provide structure information.
    • Fishing Visible Areas: Visually seeing a plane of consistent grass, rock or wood with distances too far for sight fishing.
Additional Considerations
  • Cast Accuracy: Targeting spots requires cast accuracy.
  • Cast Distance: Fan casting commonly involves long casts.
  • Search Baits: Common to use search baits when fan casting.
  • Sight Fishing: In some cases when sight fishing an angler will wait until a fish is identified to cast while others will target spots while looking for fish or spawning beds to sight fish.
It's About the ALLURE™

Any lure can be targeted as at a spot and commonly it is horizontal lures used for fan casting.  

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