On gravel banks, the bass love the bottom makeup, but they also like the security of some type of cover. Boat ramps provide the ultimate hard, clean bottom, yet they rarely are fished, according to legendary angler Bill Dance. A ramp retains heat from the sunlight, promotes algae growth that attracts baitfish and provides a wide-open ambush lane for bass. Small, baseball-size rocks make prime habitat for bass and their food chain. They provide hiding places for crawfish and other forage, as well as enough surface area to promote the growth of algae and moss.
Muddy bottoms are usually a poor choice for fishermen.
The opportunistic bass will usually be positioned onthe muddy edge of such lines. Lily pads grow in soft or semisoft bottoms. Limestone bluffs are more porous than most anglers realize. Most will have a variety of underwater holes that make great habitat for bass. Last fall, I had a real strong pattern going on Lake Champlain.