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Fishing Tips

How Wind Positions Bass on Highland Reservoirs

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Wind is one of those things bass anglers love to complain about until it helps them catch fish.

On highland reservoirs like Beaver Lake, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and Tenkiller, wind bass fishing can turn a dead-looking stretch of bank into one of the best areas on the lake. It can also make kayak fishing a pain if you pick the wrong side of it.

That is the tradeoff. Wind can help the fishing, but it has to be managed to make it productive.

For kayak anglers, it matters even more. You can’t just run the whole lake until something looks right. You have to think about where the wind is helping, where it is hurting, and where you can still fish effectively.

Wind bass fishing. Spinnerbaits can be a great wind driven bait. Source: kayakfishingfocus.com
Spinnerbaits can be a great wind driven bait. Source: kayakfishingfocus.com

How does wind affect bass fishing?

Wind affects bass fishing by pushing baitfish, breaking up light penetration, creating surface disturbance, and making bass more comfortable feeding shallow. On clear highland reservoirs, wind often improves the bite on points, bluff ends, rocky banks, and shallow flats where bait is pushed into ambush areas.

That is the simple version. The real answer is a little more complicated, because not all wind is good wind.

A light breeze across a point can make fish bite. A hard wind blowing straight into a muddy pocket can make it almost unfishable. Somewhere between those two is where a lot of the best bass fishing happens.

Why wind matters so much on clear water lakes

Clear water can be tough. Bass see well, baitfish roam, and calm sunny days can make fish spooky. Wind changes that.

It puts a ripple on the surface and reduces visibility just enough to make bass more willing to feed. It also moves plankton and baitfish, which can start the whole food chain. On lakes like Beaver and Table Rock, that can be the difference between fishing empty-looking water and suddenly seeing bait flicker against the bank.

A calm point might not look like much. That same point with wind hitting it can become a place where bass set up and feed.

This is especially true for spotted bass and smallmouth. They seem more willing to chase in wind than largemouth at times, especially around rock and deeper water. Largemouth will also use wind, but they often need the right cover or water color to go with it.

Wind-blown points are usually worth checking

If there is one place most anglers think of first with wind, it is a point. That is usually a good starting place. Wind blowing across or into a point can push bait into a predictable area. Bass may sit on the corner, the downwind side, or just off the break waiting for something to come by.

On highland reservoirs, the best points often have something extra:

  • chunk rock instead of smooth gravel
  • a brush pile nearby
  • a channel swing close
  • a saddle or flat on one side
  • baitfish activity

You don’t need all of those. One or two can be enough.

A windy point is also a good place to pick up a moving bait. A spinnerbait, crankbait, swimbait, or walking topwater can all work depending on the season and water temperature.

The key is not just casting at the point. It is making different angles until you figure out where the fish are sitting. Sometimes they are on the windward side. Sometimes they are just around the corner where the wind is still moving bait but not crashing straight into the bank.

Discount on Lurenet, Booyah Baits, YUM baits, war eagle lures, great lakes finesse, Bobby Garland

Bluff ends can be better than the bluff itself

On Ozark lakes, bluff banks get a lot of attention. They should. They hold fish year-round. But when the wind is blowing, the ends of bluffs often matter more than the long bluff wall.

A bluff end gives bass a place to trap bait. It usually has quick depth change, rock, and a natural edge where fish can slide up or down without moving far. If wind is hitting a bluff end or sweeping across it, that is worth a few casts.

This is where a jerkbait, small swimbait, crankbait, or jig can be good depending on the conditions. If fish are chasing, keep moving. If they just follow or swipe, slow down and fish the edges more carefully.

A lot of times, the bite is not halfway down the bluff. It is right where the bluff changes into a flatter bank or pocket. That transition is where fish can feed.

Wind can make shallow banks better

Not every windy bank is good, but some of them get much better when the wind hits. This matters in spring and early summer when fish are around spawning pockets, fry, shad, and shallow cover.

A bank with a little wind may help hide your bait and make bass less cautious. It can also push shad tight to the bank or into the back corner of a pocket. That is when a spinnerbait can still be hard to beat.

Even on clearer lakes, a spinnerbait becomes more useful when the wind bass fishing. It lets you cover water, stay in contact with shallow targets, and draw reaction bites from fish that might not eat something slower.

Other good windy-bank baits include:

  • chatterbait around stained water or cover
  • squarebill around rock and wood
  • swim jig around shallow cover
  • walking bait if fish are looking up
  • buzzbait when water is warm and fish are shallow

For kayak anglers, boat control is the hard part. It is easy to get pushed too fast down the bank and start fishing sloppy. Sometimes the best move is to position upwind and drift, making controlled casts as you go. Other times, it is better to tuck behind a point and fish the edge of the wind instead of sitting right in the middle of it.

When wind hurts instead of helps

There are times when wind makes fishing worse. If wind blows into the back of a muddy creek, it can make the water dirtier and push debris into the area. If it is blowing straight down a long arm of the lake, it can make kayak fishing unsafe or at least miserable.

Wind can also scatter bait too much. Instead of concentrating fish, it spreads everything out. That is when I start looking for protected water near wind, not necessarily protected water far away from it.

There is a difference. A totally calm pocket may look comfortable, but it can be lifeless. A pocket just around the corner from wind may have enough bait movement and still be fishable. That is often the better compromise.

Best baits for windy bass fishing on highland reservoirs

Wind usually makes me think about baits that either move water, flash, or cover water. A few that make sense on Beaver, Table Rock, Tenkiller, and similar lakes:

Spinnerbait

Still one of the best wind baits ever made. It works around rock, shallow cover, bushes, and windy banks. In stained water or low light, it can be especially good. Save 15% on Booyah and War Eagle Spinnerbaits at Lurenet.com with code KINCY15

Crankbait

A crankbait is a good choice when fish are on rock transitions or windy points. Match depth to the bank. Don’t overthink it.

Walking topwater

If fish are chasing shad or feeding early, a Spook-style bait can be good around windy points and pockets. It can be harder to fish in heavy wind, but in a moderate chop it can get bigger bites. Save 15% on Heddon Zara Spooks at Lurenet.com with code KINCY15

Swimbait

A small paddle tail works well when fish are chasing bait but not fully committing to topwater. Good around points, bluff ends, and suspended fish near bait.

Shaky head or jig

When the wind has fish positioned but they won’t chase, slow down. A shaky head around rock or a jig around a transition bank can still catch fish after the moving bait bite fades. Save 15% on War Eagle or Booyah jigs at Lurenet.com with code KINCY15

Wind direction matters, but fishability matters too

Anglers can get too locked in on wind direction. South wind, north wind, west wind — it all matters to a point. But for kayak fishing, the better question is often:

Can I fish this area well? A perfect wind-blown point does not help much if you are getting blown off it every 20 seconds. I like to find areas where the wind helps the fishing but does not completely control the kayak. That might mean fishing a smaller pocket, a shorter point, or the protected side of a larger structure.

It may not be the most obvious place on the map, but it is often the place you can fish the cleanest. And in tournament fishing, clean fishing matters.

Final thoughts

Wind is not automatically good or bad. It is a tool. On highland reservoirs, wind can position bait and make bass more aggressive, especially around points, bluff ends, rocky banks, and shallow cover. It can also make kayak fishing difficult if you do not pick the right areas.

The trick is finding the wind that helps the fish without ruining your ability to present a bait. A little chop can make a clear lake fish smaller. It can hide your presence, push bait into predictable places, and turn inactive fish into feeding fish.

For kayak anglers, the best windy areas are usually not the wildest areas. They are the fishable edges — the places where bait is moving, bass are positioned, and you can still make the cast you need to make.

Mastering Shallow Bass Fishing: Seasonal Tips and Techniques
Fishing Tips

Bass Fishing Secondary Points in Spring: Hidden Structure for Big Bass

When bass fishing secondary points spring season, most anglers miss the best opportunities. While everyone crowds main lake points, smart anglers target secondary points – subtle underwater ridges that hold unpressured bass during spring transitions.

Secondary points are smaller structures extending from main points or running perpendicular to shorelines. During spring, these areas become critical staging zones as bass move from deep winter locations toward spawning areas.

bass fishing secondary points spring

Why Secondary Points Dominate Spring Bass Fishing

Bass fishing secondary points spring success comes from understanding fish behavior. Unlike main points that drop quickly into deep water, secondary points offer gradual depth changes perfect for transitioning bass. These fish are aggressive feeders positioned to ambush baitfish using the same migration routes.

Therefore, secondary points receive less pressure because they’re harder to identify than obvious main lake structures. This means more opportunities for consistent catches when other anglers struggle.

Types of Secondary Points for Spring Bass

Finger Ridges: Narrow underwater ridges extending from shorelines into deeper water, typically found in creek arms and secondary coves.

Saddle Points: Areas connecting two ridges, especially transition zones where bass stage during spring movement patterns.

Inside Turn Points: Points facing protected coves that warm faster in spring and concentrate baitfish.

Hump Extensions: Small ridges running off main lake humps, receiving minimal fishing pressure.

Creek Channel Points: Inside bends where old creek channels turn, combining depth, structure, and current flow.

Finding Secondary Points with Electronics

Successful bass fishing secondary points spring requires proper electronics use. Such as side imaging that reveals underwater ridges invisible from the surface. Look for subtle depth variations and bottom composition changes indicating secondary structure.

Down imaging helps understand exact bottom composition and locate specific targets like stumps or rocks. Study contour maps carefully – secondary points appear as subtle extensions in depth lines where multiple contours converge.

Best Baits for Bass Fishing Secondary Points Spring

Jigs

Jigs excel for bass fishing secondary points spring because of their versatility. Use 1/2 oz football head jigs, like a War Eagle Pro, with craw trailers on rocky secondary points, or 3/8 oz flipping jigs around wood and vegetation. Green pumpkin, brown/orange, and black/blue are proven colors. Jigs work multiple depths and handle various bottom compositions perfectly.

Carolina Rig

The Carolina rig dominates deeper secondary points where bass stage before moving shallow. Therefore, ig 1/2 to 3/4 oz weights with 18-24 inch leaders tied to 3/0 or 4/0 hooks. Soft plastics like YUM lizards, brush hogs, or creature baits in natural colors work best. Carolina rigs excel at fishing deeper edges where larger bass often stage.

Medium Diving Crankbaits

Medium diving crankbaits like a Bandit 200 series cover water efficiently on secondary points. Choose running depths matching your secondary point depth – typically 6-12 feet in spring. Natural shad patterns work in clear water, while chartreuse/blue or fire tiger produce in stained conditions.

Kayak-Specific Secondary Point Strategies

Bass fishing secondary points spring from kayaks offers unique advantages. Your stealth allows quiet approaches that don’t spook fish. Approach from deep water and work shallow, using your paddle as an anchor in soft bottom.

Cast parallel to secondary point edges rather than straight at them. This keeps baits in strike zones longer and appears more natural to staged bass. Your lower profile enables casting angles impossible from larger boats.

Mount fish finders where you can see them while paddling and fishing. Drop waypoints immediately when marking fish or structure – secondary points can be subtle and difficult to relocate.

Timing Your Secondary Point Approach

Early Morning: Start with medium diving crankbaits to cover water and locate active fish in low light conditions.

Mid-Day: Switch to jigs and Carolina rigs as bass move to deeper edges. Work slowly as fish become less aggressive in bright conditions.

Late Afternoon: Return to crankbaits as bass move up to feed during changing light conditions.

Seasonal Timing for Maximum Success

Early Spring (45-55°F): Focus on deeper secondary points in 12-18 feet. Bass are staging but not committed to moving shallow. Carolina rigs and slow jigs produce best.

Mid-Spring (55-65°F): Prime time for bass fishing secondary points spring. Bass actively use these areas as highways to spawning locations. All three baits can produce depending on conditions.

Late Spring (65°F+): Secondary points become holding areas for post-spawn bass recovering from spawning stress. Target points with deeper water access where bass can quickly escape pressure.

Putting It All Together

Success with bass fishing secondary points spring requires systematic approach and patience. Start by studying electronics and maps to identify potential areas. Once on water, begin with medium diving crankbaits to cover water and locate active fish.

When you contact bass, slow down and work the area thoroughly with jigs and Carolina rigs. Pay attention to specific depth ranges and bottom composition where fish are holding – this pattern often repeats on similar secondary points throughout your fishing area.

Remember that secondary points shine brightest during spring transition periods. While other anglers fight crowds on obvious structure, you’ll be catching bass from overlooked areas that receive minimal pressure.

The key to consistent bass fishing secondary points spring success is understanding that these subtle structures serve as highways for moving bass. Position yourself to intercept these fish during their spring movements, and you’ll discover some of the most productive and underutilized fishing spots on any lake.

Secondary points represent the perfect combination of fish-holding structure and low fishing pressure. Master these techniques, and you’ll have a significant advantage during spring bass fishing season.

Carolina Rig Summer Bass Fishing Setup
Fishing Tips

Flipping Lily Pads from a Kayak: How to Work Heavy Cover Without Getting Stuck

There’s something about lily pad fishing that gets every bass angler fired up. Maybe it’s the visual – knowing bass are lurking under that green canopy. Or maybe it’s the challenge of getting your bait through the slop without losing half your tackle box.

Flipping lily pads from a kayak becomes a whole different game. You’re sitting low to the water, working tight spaces, and dealing with cover that can turn into a nightmare if you don’t have the right approach.

Flipping lily pads from a kayak kayakfishingfocus.com

Why Lily Pads Hold Bass

Bass use lily pads the same way we use umbrellas – they provide shade, cover, and ambush points. The stems create structure underneath, and the canopy blocks sunlight while providing oxygen. During summer months, lily pads become bass magnets because they offer everything fish need: cover, food, and cooler water temperatures.

The key is understanding that not all lily pad areas are created equal. You want to find edges, pockets, and transitions rather than just bombing casts into the thickest stuff you can find.

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Setup for Flipping Lily Pads from a Kayak

Rod Selection A 7-foot heavy action flipping stick minimum. I prefer 7’3″ or 7’6″ for the extra leverage when pulling fish out of cover. From a seated position in a kayak, that extra length helps with hook sets and keeping fish from diving back into the pads.

Line Choice Straight 17-25 lb fluorocarbon or 50-65 lb braid. Forget about leader setups – you need the strength to horse bass out of cover. Fluorocarbon gives you better abrasion resistance against stems, while braid cuts through vegetation better. My preferred brand for line is P-Line – for both fluoro or braid.

Reel Considerations High-speed retrieve reel, 7:1 gear ratio or higher. When a bass hits in the pads, you need to get them moving toward open water immediately.

Bait Selection That Actually Works

Beaver-Style Baits YUM Wooly Bug, or similar style baits. These baits push water, have good bulk, and the appendages create action even on a slow fall. Rig them Texas style with a 1/2 to 3/4 oz tungsten weight.

Creature Baits YUM Christie Critter or similar designs work well when bass want something with more subtle action. The key is matching bait size to cover thickness – heavier cover needs bigger baits.

Color Selection Black and blue in stained water, green pumpkin in clearer conditions. When fishing thick mats, darker colors show better contrast against the green background.

Kayak Positioning and Approach

Here’s where flipping lily pads from a kayak gets tricky. You can’t just paddle into the middle of a pad field and start flipping. The vegetation will grab your paddle, spin your kayak, and turn the whole experience into a wrestling match.

Work the Edges First Start on the outside edges and work your way in. Look for natural openings, creek channels that cut through the pads, or areas where the cover breaks up. These transition zones hold the most active fish.

Use Wind to Your Advantage Let the wind push you along the edge rather than fighting it with constant paddle corrections. This keeps you quieter and lets you focus on fishing instead of boat control.

Anchor Points In thicker cover, use the vegetation itself as an anchor. Grab a handful of stems to hold position, make your casts, then move to the next spot. Don’t try to paddle through – work with the cover.

Presentation Techniques

The Flip and Rip Method Make short, accurate flips into pockets and openings. Let the bait fall, give it a couple twitches, then rip it back out if nothing happens. Don’t waste time working dead water.

Punching Through When you need to get through the mat, use a heavier weight (1 oz or more) and punch straight down. Let it fall to the bottom, work it a few times, then bring it back up. Bass often hit on the fall or as the bait breaks back through the surface.

Walking the Edges Focus on irregular edges where the pads meet open water. Bass use these transition areas as highways. Work parallel to the edge, hitting every pocket and indentation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Fighting Fish in the Pads The biggest mistake is trying to finesse a bass out of heavy cover. When you get bit, lean into that fish immediately. Get their head up and moving toward open water. Hesitate for even a second, and they’ll wrap you around every stem in the area.

Ignoring Water Depth Not all lily pads are created equal. Focus on areas where the pads grow in 3-8 feet of water rather than the shallow stuff. Deeper pads usually hold bigger fish and more of them.

Reading Lily Pad Water

The best lily pad areas have variation. Look for:

  • Depth changes along the edge
  • Creek channels cutting through the pads
  • Areas where the pads thin out or thicken up
  • Points and pockets in the vegetation line
  • Isolated patches separated from the main pad field

When to Fish Lily Pads

Early morning and late evening produce the best action, but don’t ignore midday fishing. Bass often move tighter to cover during bright conditions, making them easier targets for flipping presentations.

Overcast days can turn lily pad fishing into an all-day affair. The low light conditions keep bass active and feeding throughout the pad edges.

Making the Most of Limited Time

From a kayak, you can’t cover as much water as a bass boat, so efficiency matters. Pick one section of pads and work it thoroughly rather than bouncing around. Spend 15-20 minutes in an area before moving on.

Focus on the highest percentage spots first – edges, points, and openings. Save the experimental fishing for when you’ve worked the obvious stuff.

Bringing It All Together

Flipping lily pads from a kayak takes practice, but once you dial it in, it becomes one of the most productive techniques in your arsenal. The ability to get into areas that bigger boats can’t reach, combined with the stealth advantage of a kayak, gives you access to bass that rarely see lures.

Start with the basics – heavy gear, the right baits, and smart positioning. Work the edges before diving into thick cover. And remember, when you get bit in the pads, there’s no such thing as being too aggressive on the hookset.

The explosion of a bass coming through lily pads never gets old. Neither does the satisfaction of pulling a 4-pounder out of cover that looked impossible to fish.

Get out there and flip some pads. Your biggest bass of the season might be sitting under the next patch of green.

Looking for quality flipping gear that can handle heavy cover? Check out Lurenet.com for tackle that’s built to last – and don’t forget to use code KINCY15 for 15% off your order.

Spring Bass Flipping: Target Shallow Cover for Spawning Bass
Fishing Tips

Spring Bass Flipping: Target Shallow Cover for Spawning Bass

That chilly spring morning reminded me why flipping shallow cover remains one of my favorite techniques for targeting pre-spawn and spawning bass. The 19-inch largemouth that crushed my YUM creature bait didn’t just happen by accident – it was the result of understanding spring bass behavior and putting the right presentation in the right place when spring bass flipping. Originally posted on Instagram as part of my Throwback Thursday series

Spring Bass Flipping

Why Spring Flipping Works

When water temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s, bass migrate from deeper winter spots toward shallow spawning areas. This creates incredible opportunities for anglers who understand where to look and how to present their baits.

Spring bass concentrate around specific shallow cover types: fallen trees, boat docks, brush piles, and rocky banks where current hits the shoreline. These areas provide protection, ambush points, and zones that warm faster than surrounding water.

Key Areas and Presentation

Target zones: Focus on laydowns, dock corners, brush piles in 3-8 feet, and rocky current breaks. Bass use these as staging areas before moving even shallower to spawn.

Bait selection: Creature baits excel for spring flipping. Their bulky profile and natural action trigger strikes from both active and neutral fish. Let the bait fall on controlled slack line, feeling for any tick or change in fall rate.

Essential gear: Heavy power rod, 17-20lb fluorocarbon line, and high gear ratio baitcaster. Heavy tackle is crucial for pulling fish out of thick cover. I use P-Line fluoro around wood, but will choose P-Line braid for heavy vegetation.

Discount Code for Lurenet.com on Lurenet, Booyah Baits, YUM baits, war eagle lures, great lakes finesse, Bobby Garland

Timing and Behavior

Bass spawn when water reaches the low to mid-60s, but start moving shallow in the upper 50s. This pre-spawn period often provides the best flipping action. Males move up first to prepare beds, followed by females – both become territorial and more likely to strike baits in their space.

Cold fronts push bass tighter to cover, making them perfect flipping targets. Don’t overlook midday periods during spring as water temperatures rise and bass become more active in shallow areas.

Gear Savings Tip

You can save on quality flipping baits like the Christie Critter at Lurenet.com using my discount code: KINCY15.

Spring flipping requires patience and precision, but understanding bass behavior and making small adjustments based on conditions leads to success. Every cast into shallow cover is an opportunity to connect with quality bass that have moved up from deeper water. Good luck this spring, especially flipping up close and hooking a big one!

Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for honest fishing reports, gear thoughts, and the occasional lesson learned the hard way. Save on quality fishing gear at Lurenet.com using discount code: KINCY15.

Fishing Tips

Neosho Bass: The Ozark’s Undiscovered Gem (And How to Catch Them!)

The Ozarks are full of crystal-clear rivers, cool, flowing water and a hotbed for kayak fishing for bass. But did you know these waters have its own species of bass? This is a unique, often overlooked fish in the streams and creeks of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Often mistaken for its more common cousin, the Smallmouth Bass, the Neosho is a distinct subspecies that deserves a spotlight. If you’re paddling and casting in the Ozarks, know the difference so you can spot one of these special bass while river or creek fishing.

What Exactly IS a Neosho Bass?

The Neosho Bass (Micropterus dolomieu velox) is a subspecies of Smallmouth Bass, found only in the Spring, Neosho, and Elk River basins of Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. They’re perfectly adapted to the clear, gravel-bottomed streams of this region, playing a vital role in the ecosystem. Over time they are breeding with Smallmouth and it is getting harder to find a pure Neosho. That’s why proper identification is crucial when determining if you’ve successfully found one.

Neosho Bass Ozarks www.kayakfishingfocus.com
The Neosho Bass has some unique features from the Smallmouth. Source: kayakfishingfocus.com

Neosho vs. Smallmouth: Key Identification Tips for Kayak Anglers

While they share similarities, several key characteristics set this species apart. Here’s what to look for:

  • Body shape: They tend to be more slender and streamlined compared to the stockier smallmouth bass. 
  • Jaw structure: A noticeable feature is the underbite on a Neosho bass, where the lower jaw extends slightly beyond the upper jaw. 
  • Coloration: They generally have a lighter color with less prominent dark vertical bars (“tiger stripes”) compared to the more distinctly patterned smallmouth bass. 
  • Cheek Scales: The cheek scales are often smaller and more numerous than the Smallmouth.
  • Geographic Location: If you’re fishing the Spring, Neosho, or Elk River basins, and you catch a “smallmouth” with the characteristics described above, it could a Neosho.
Discount on Booyah Baits, YUM Baits, Rebel Lures, War Eagle Lures, Bobby Garland

Kayak Fishing Tactics for Neosho Bass

Neosho Bass Ozarks www.kayakfishingfocus.com
This Neosho Bass didn’t cooperate and flopped back into the Kings River! Source: kayakfishingfocus.com

Neosho Bass, like Smallmouth, thrive in clear, flowing water with rocky bottoms in Ozark creeks and streams. Here are some kayak bass fishing tactics to catch bass while creek fishing:

  • Lure Selection:
    • Crawfish imitations: Perfect for creeks, a small craw imitator like the Rebel LiveFlex Rebel Creek Craw will catch ’em. (Save 15% with code: KINCY15)
    • Small crankbaits and swimbaits around cover
    • Letting a micro-soft plastic like the Rebel LiveFlex lures bounce along in the current
  • Fly Fishing:
    • Streamers and nymphs: Ideal for clear Ozark streams.
  • Kayak Positioning:
    • Target rocky areas, submerged timber, and current seams.
    • You can find these bass almost anywhere in the right clear Ozark stream.

Protecting Neosho Bass: A Kayak Angler’s Responsibility

Because the population is at risk of declining due to loss of habitat and breeding with Smallmouth, if you catch a Neosho Bass snap a photo, enjoy its beauty, and then get it safely back into the water. Keeping the creek ecosystems natural is another reason not to transport fish from one stream to another – keep them where they belong.

By understanding this species, kayak anglers can play a vital role in conserving these special fish native only in the Ozarks. So, next time you’re fishing those clear streams, take a closer look at your catch. You might just have found a hidden gem while kayak fishing!

Keywords: Kayak Fishing, Ozark Fishing, Smallmouth Bass, Bass Identification, Ozark Rivers, Neosho River, Elk River, Spring River, Fishing Tactics, Conservation, Micropterus dolomieu velox.

Fishing Tips

Fishing elbow pain? What You Need to Know About Needle Tenotomy

If you love fishing, you might have heard of “fishing elbow.” It’s a common problem that causes pain on the outside (or sometimes inside) of your elbow, similar to tennis elbow. Doctors call it lateral epicondylitis (or medial epicondylitis). It happens when you do the same arm motions over and over, like casting or reeling in a fish. People can also get this with other sports, or in jobs like construction. These movements can cause tiny tears in the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to your elbow bone. This makes your elbow hurt, feel tender, and can even weaken your grip, making fishing less fun and super painful. I ended two tournaments early because the pain got too intense.

I’ve had this condition since about August of 2024 and have been trying to rehab it without success. Haven’t fished since the very beginning of October to rest it and doing home physical therapy, but it hasn’t worked.

Usually, rest, ice, physical therapy, and wearing a brace can help, according to the internet. After a cortisone shot, that didn’t work, my doctor recommended needle tenotomy. I very recently underwent this procedure and am healing up and then will begin rehab. I’m hopeful to be ready in time for the 2025 tournament season – but that’s not guaranteed. Because it has been a pain, literally, for me…I wanted to share more about this procedure with other anglers.

Fishing elbow illustration.
Illustration of Fishing Elbow or Tennis Elbow. Source: Paarl Joint Clinic.

What’s Needle Tenotomy?

Needle tenotomy (also called dry needling or percutaneous tenotomy) is a procedure that helps damaged tendons heal. Instead of cutting you open like in surgery, doctors use a needle to fix the problem. Here’s how it works:

  • Starts Healing: The needle makes tiny, controlled injuries in the hurt tendon to create damage and bleeding. This tells your body to start healing itself and build new, stronger tendon tissue.
  • Breaks Down Scar Tissue: When your elbow hurts for a long time, scar tissue can build up in the tendon. This scar tissue makes it hard for the tendon to work right and causes more pain. The needle helps break down this scar tissue so blood can flow better and the tendon can heal.
  • Relaxes Muscles: Sometimes, tight muscles around your elbow can make the pain worse. The needle can help relax these muscles, taking pressure off the tendon. Too early to tell if this was a problem for me that was fixed, but I suspect so.

What Happens During the Procedure?

Needle tenotomy is done in a doctor’s office, I had it done by my orthopedic doctor. Here’s what to expect with a procedure:

  1. Numbing the Area: The doctor numbs your elbow with a shot so you don’t feel much. Ha! This was pretty painful for me, the worst part of the procedure.
  2. Inserting the Needle: Using a special ultrasound machine to see exactly where to go, the doctor puts a thin needle into the damaged tendon.
  3. Making Tiny Punctures: The doctor moves the needle around to make lots of tiny holes in the tendon. This is what starts the healing process. Oddly, it didn’t hurt but I could feel the needle scraping or whatever against tendons…felt crazy weird.
  4. Putting on a Bandage: After, they just put a small bandage on the spot where the needle went in and that was able to come off the next day.

The whole thing only takes a few minutes.

Ultrasound view of needle penetrating to the damaged area (dark spot). Source: Sports Med Review

What Happens After?

Your elbow might be a little sore and bruised where the needle went in. Your doctor will tell you what to do, which might include:

  • Resting Your Arm: Not doing anything too hard with your arm for a few days.
  • Using Ice: Putting ice packs on your elbow to help with swelling and pain.
  • Taking Pain Medicine: You can take over-the-counter pain medicine if you need it.
  • Physical Therapy: You might have to do some exercises with a physical therapist to make your elbow stronger and more flexible.

Most people feel a lot better within a few weeks, but it can take a few months for the tendon to completely heal. For me, I wore a sling for a day to rest the arm and to keep myself from doing anything stupid by accident. Then i started working out the soreness but being very careful. Definitely had some pain as the Lidocaine wore off.

Is This Right for You?

If you have really bad “fishing elbow” that hasn’t gotten better with other treatments, needle tenotomy might be an option. You need to talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you – I AM NOT A DOCTOR, AND NOT YOUR DOCTOR. They’ll check your elbow and ask you questions to decide. My doctor recommended this approach over another solution called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an option, another angler recapped his experience with PRP here. I chose the tenotomy because it was covered more by insurance and the doc recommended it for what he was seeing in my ultrasound.

Good Things About Needle Tenotomy:

  • Not a big surgery
  • Doesn’t take long
  • Done in a doctor’s office
  • Quicker recovery than surgery (anywhere from 4-8 weeks)
  • Can really help with pain

Possible Problems:

  • Pain and bruising where the needle went in (Yes!)
  • Infection
  • Damage to nerves or blood vessels

A detailed article about the needle tenotomy procedure can give you more specific information on how the procedure is executed.

The Bottom Line:

Needle tenotomy may be an option for people with long-lasting “fishing elbow.” It helps the body heal itself and can make the pain go away so you can get back to fishing. At this point I haven’t fully recovered from the procedure and will do a follow up in a few weeks to share how it went.

Important: This article is just for information. Always talk to a doctor before making any decisions about your health.

Fishing Tips

A Perfect Match for BFS Bass Fishing: Rebel LiveFlex Lures

Bass fishing is a sport that’s constantly evolving, with anglers always searching for new techniques and gear to gain an edge. One trend that has gained significant traction is BFS bass fishing. This finesse approach, originally designed for trout fishing in Japan, has proven incredibly effective for targeting bass, especially in pressured waters or when fish are finicky. And when it comes to BFS bass fishing, the Rebel LiveFlex lures are a standout choice.

Rebel Liveflex BFS bass fishing tips kayakfishingfocus.com

What is BFS Fishing?

BFS (Bait Finesse Fishing) involves using lightweight lures and a lightweight rod and reel setup. This technique excels in clear water or when bass are exhibiting selective feeding behavior. The key components of a BFS setup include:

  • BFS Rod: A lightweight, typically shorter rod with a soft tip for casting light lures and absorbing shocks from hard-fighting fish.
  • BFS Reel: A baitcasting reel with a shallow spool and finely tuned braking system designed for casting lightweight lures.
  • Lightweight Line: Fluorocarbon or braided line in lighter pound tests to enhance casting distance and sensitivity. P-Line’s Spin-X braid is perfect for this application, with a lightweight leader.
  • Light or Small Lures: Small lures like micro jigs, small crankbaits, and finesse soft plastics.

Why Rebel LiveFlex Lures Excel in BFS Fishing

Rebel LiveFlex lures are perfectly suited for BFS tactics due to several key features:

  • Lightweight Design: These lures are small and lightweight, enabling longer casts and accurate presentations with light line, perfect for BFS setups.
  • Realistic Action: The LiveFlex series mimics the natural movements of prey (insects, crawfish, baitfish), enticing wary bass.
  • Versatility: The LiveFlex series offers a variety of lure types, including craws, insects, and baitfish imitations. This versatility allows anglers to adapt to different fishing conditions and presentations.
  • Durability: Made from durable soft plastic, LiveFlex lures withstand repeated casts and hooksets, even in cover.
Rebel Liveflex BFS bass fishing tips kayakfishingfocus.com

How to Fish Rebel LiveFlex Lures with a BFS Setup

Here are a few tips for effectively fishing Rebel LiveFlex lures with a BFS setup:

  • Match the Hatch: Choose the LiveFlex Craw for crawfish, and the LiveFlex Insect for insect hatches.
  • Experiment with Retrieves: Try slow retrieves, twitches, and pauses to imitate prey.
  • Fish Around Cover: BFS excels in fishing around rocks, vegetation, and docks.
  • Pay Attention to Line Movement: Watch for twitches, ticks, or sudden movements on your light line to detect bites.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to up your bass game, especially when finesse is key, give Rebel LiveFlex lures a shot with your BFS setup. They’re light, swim super realistically, and come in a ton of styles, so you can always find the right bait for the situation. Plus, they’re built tough to use over and over again. So, grab your BFS gear, tie on a LiveFlex, and get ready to catch some bass in a fun new way!