Dissecting a Hump
By Justin Hoffman

Out from shore, and hidden from the naked eye, lies a fish-holding factory that is jam-packed with fins and gills from any and all species. Here they bask, undisturbed for the most part, until an intuitive angler finally uncovers them and proceeds to enjoy the fruits of their labour. For those willing to put in the legwork for finding these out-of-the-way spots, the fishing can be non-stop and action packed. Best of all – these fish zones are almost always crowd-free.

Fishing offshore humps is a proven tactic that can yield big results. Understanding what a hump is and why they hold fish is the first step in the learning curve, and once armed with that knowledge, locating them and knowing what to toss is all that’s needed to dial in this promising technique.

What is a Hump?
A hump is a fishing term given to an underwater island. Found offshore on most lakes and rivers, this rock structure crests upwards and is concealed by the waterline. (This distinct characteristic is what differentiates it from an actual island.) Humps can rise to within inches of the surface of the water or be found to level off at any depth.

Humps are composed of rock or rubble. Varying types of structure can also be found on humps – including vegetation, pebbles, sand, or wood – and the best humps will often have a mixture of these various substrate.

Offshore humps can either have slow tapering edges - those that gradually drop off over a large expansive distance – or sharp and defined sides, which slope drastically within a stones throw. Both have their time and place for holding fish. All will be surrounded by deeper water.

Humps can be found anywhere within the lake itself. From close in to shore or five kilometres out, the possibilities are endless. And with it the options limitless.

Why They Produce
Offshore humps draw fish in similar to a magnet, and this is in part to a number of prominent factors. Food is number one on the list. A hump will generally possess the necessary ingredients that yield a smorgasbord of easy pickings for hungry predators, whether it be baitfish or crustaceans. This draws in the opportunistic fish. (Think of them as buffet restaurants with no closing times.)

Humps also provide safety and areas of rest. In times of danger, weather changes, or angler pressure, the option to head to deeper water is easily achieved, allowing the fish a “safe” escape route. Many fish will also stage off of humps, and travel up and down the defined edges throughout the day whenever hunger strikes. For those fish that spend their lives cruising the deep water, humps can be used as holding areas or “pit stops” throughout their travels, and are highly attractive to these nomadic creatures.

What Will You Find?
Almost all species of fish will relate to humps in one way or another. Walleye and bass (especially smallmouth) find offshore humps especially attractive, and are sure bets to cash in on when targeting the appropriate body of water. Both pike and muskie are drawn to the food sources that humps provide, and it goes without saying that panfish – perch, bluegills, and crappie – are one reason these top-of-the-line predators are present. Trout, including lakers and rainbows, will also saddle up on these submerged islands when conditions and food sources are to their liking.

Now, although most gamefish will occupy humps, certain conditions need to be in place for them to take up residence, and figuring this out will often come down to trial and error. Sun, cloud, wind, rain, and temperature all have an effect on whether or not fish station themselves on humps. Largemouth bass are a big proponent of sunny days to head up on humps, while walleye and smallmouth bass frequent the crests of humps during overcast and blustery occasions. Shallow humps often excel in the spring for lake trout, whereas deep-water structure is more to the liking of a crappie come summer and fall. The ability to fish humps in a variety of conditions for your main target is the best way to figure out sure-fire patterns.

Generally, the crest of a hump will support the most actively feeding fish. These will be your prime biters, and your best chance for consistent action. Fish found midway down the break will also be active, but often in more of a rest phase due to a lull in feeding. Finally, fish found at the bottom of the break (or where the hump and actual bottom structure meet) will be in more of an inactive or neutral disposition.

The Search Begins
As anglers, we predominantly fish structure areas that are visible to the eye – be it shorelines, docks, islands, or shallow vegetation. In fact, many never get past this style of fishing. Locating offshore humps can be intimidating to the untrained and inexperienced fisherperson, but with a bit of knowledge, the practice is fairly straightforward.

Topographical maps are an excellent tool for uncovering hidden humps. Look for small “ovals” while pouring over the map, especially those that distinguish a broad depth change in a small area of water. (Think 12 feet dropping off to 30.) By marking these probable spots before heading out on the lake, you have at your disposal a rough guide to multiple locations throughout the body of water you will be fishing. This saves time and gives you an insight into what you will find upon motoring up to each.

An onboard graph is mandatory for fishing humps. Not only will these units help you locate the hidden gems, but it will also ensure that you “map” out the entire area – and also let you figure out every nook and cranny that is hidden within.

A GPS (global positioning system) is the ultimate toy for fishing offshore humps. Onboard maps will often show humps and intricate depth changes, and once located, punching in the coordinates to multiple humps is as simple as pushing a button. Now you can return to each particular hump quickly and easily, which saves a lot of time and effort as opposed to “blindly” finding them each time you hit the water.

Another useful attribute for working with a GPS is the ability to stay on the hump, regardless of wind or weather conditions. A definite bonus in my eyes.

Once a hump has been found and poured over, the use of a marker buoy(s) is recommended. Tossing one of these visible markers on top of the hump will allow you to maintain your bearings and stay in close proximity to the underwater area you are targeting. Depending on the size of the hump, I will also place a buoy on opposing edges to give me a birds-eye view of what I am fishing. Marker buoys are inexpensive, so don’t be shy when mapping out your hotspot.

Hump Fishing 101
When it comes to fishing humps, casting and trolling are the two most consistent tactics for scoring fish. Turn to trolling crankbaits when working larger humps, and also those that have some depth above the crest. Trolling is especially useful as a means to locating fish, while also getting a better visual with your electronics while still wetting a lure. Concentrate on trolling across the very top of the hump – working it in a variety of angles – and gradually moving outwards to cover the breaklines. Allowing your crankbait to make contact with the hump itself can trigger additional strikes, and is particularly worthwhile when targeting some of the larger predators such as pike or muskie. If you connect with a fish or two while plying the water, or begin marking fish that refuse to bite, its time to slow things down and begin fishing baits vertically.

Working a jig is my favorite technique when fishing offshore humps. This tactic allows me to have complete control as far as cadence, speed, and action goes, while also giving me the opportunity to probe every inch of a humps surface. Jigs will also work for both active and inactive fish, so the odds are in your favour when tossing these lures. When chasing walleye and smallmouth bass, throwing plastics or livebait on football jigs can’t be beat. Large tube baits for lake trout are another proven fish catcher.

Casting topwater baits to the peaks of humps is a great way to get some aerial thrills, especially when pike, muskie, and smallmouth bass are concerned. When fish are actively cruising for food along the crest of a hump, they will race up to crack a surface plug with a reckless abandonment that definitely can’t be beat. This is an excellent tactic to employ during low-light periods – especially early morning and late evenings.

Dragging live bait rigs across the face of a hump, or down the breakline, is a tremendous technique for cashing in on walleye. Crawler harnesses on bottom bouncers drifted or backtrolled has accounted for many walleye over the years, and is a tactic not to be overlooked when chasing this quarry. Another productive tactic is working a slip float in conjunction with live bait. Worms, minnows, or leeches (when legal to use) can give an angler the edge in terms of thoroughly covering a fish-holding spot, and changing the depth of your offering is very simple and straightforward. Anchoring your boat off the edge of a hump will allow you to work the area precisely, and give you the best boat control possible.

As with any style of fishing, figuring out the most productive pattern in terms of lures and baits is all part of the adventure. The above is a great starting point, but don’t be afraid to experiment and figure things out through trial and error. What works on one hump might fizzle on another, so adapting to the conditions and what you’re faced is all part of the learning curve.

Humps hold a tremendous amount of potential – not only in quantity, but also for the true chance at a trophy fish. And of course, you can’t put a price on the solitude you will enjoy when you have one of these hotspots all to yourself. Although they may take a bit of detective work to locate and discover, once you do, the fishing can often be easy and the catching even greater. Move away from the shoreline and stumble upon a hump this coming season – you’ll be more than glad you did.