We are oh so
close to some great big bass fishing. The water temperature should
start climbing any day now and that means big bass are coming to
shallow water to fatten up for the spawn. The next six weeks is
the time to catch your trophy bass. Two or three days of warm weather
and a two to three degree change in water temperature and the bite
is on.
As a rule, coves on the north side of the lake warm up first but
the wind can play a big factor as a lot of times you will find the
warm water on the windy banks. Also this is stirring up plankton,
inviting baitfish to the area consequently bringing the big bass
in to feed. Early spring when I’m going up the lake in my Nitro
Z8, I’m am constantly looking at my Raymarine temperature gauge
trying to find the warmest water possible, even if it’s only
a two degree difference it can make for the best fishing.
Study the
weather before you go to the lake and be prepared to fish with
the wind. If you’re fishing for two or three days and the
wind turns around on you, be mentally prepared to abandon where
you have been fishing and look for warmer water on the other side
of the lake. I can’t count the tournaments I’ve done
well in, during the early spring by making the move to warmer
water. Don’t stay in the colder water and try to make them
bite; it just doesn’t happen.
Rocky banks, riprap, rock piles always seem to be good places
to look for especially on the windy sides. Red clay banks seem
to be another really good place in the spring to look for lunkers.
I believe crawfish hang in these areas and start moving with warmer
temperatures.
I like to start out with four lures or techniques that have produced
the best for me. First, I will use a Bass Pro Shops XPS Rattleshad.
There is something about lipless crankbaits that produce this
time of year. Colors are simple; clear water calls for chrome
or shad patterns and stained water use your chartreuses, reds
and crawfish colors. I throw these baits on a Woo Daves’
Extreme medium action 6’6” baitcaster, 5.4.1 Extreme
reel and 14 lbs. Bass Pro Shops’ Excel line.
Start out by holding your rod high and reel as slowly as
possible keeping the bait moving. Then if that doesn’t work
I’ll go to a hopping motion; in other words pulling the lure
a couple feet off the bottom then let drop and usually on the
drop is the bite.
The second technique is to use a suspending Nitro minnow.
I like to fish this bait close to deep water. If you can find
a shallow ledge say 5 to 7 feet that drops right off this is a
great bait to jerk down and let it pause. Let it sit as long as
you can stand it because they want it slow. It is a must to fish
these baits on no more than 10 lbs. Bass Pro Shops’ Fluorocarbon
line with a light action Woo Daves’ Extreme rod. Light tip
rods give the bait the natural looking action and keep the bait
in one place longer.
Third,
I’m going to have a Bass Pro Shops’ Enticer jig with
a Zoom Big Chunk on a Woo Daves’ Extreme flippin’ rod
and 25 lbs. Excel line. At every lay down, log, and piling I see,
will see my jig. This is one time you will souse your bait with
Jack’s Juice in crawfish formula believe me it makes a difference.
The fourth technique is a Carolina rigged Zoom Lizard or
Zoom Brush Hog. In the last 15 years I would bet there have been
more bass caught in the spring on a Carolina rigged Zoom lizard
than any other 10 baits put together. That’s simple when
you’re in Rome, do what the Romans do. Throw a Carolina rigged
Zoom Lizard in green pumpkin/chartreuse tail or watermelon/red
and work slowly and hang on. You can cover so much water with
this rig and lot of times this will tune you in to the type cover
and the depth the bass are biting around.
Dress warmly and wear a Bass Pro Shops’ inflatable life vest
when fishing. Every year you hear of four or five fisherman drowning
- wear your life vest. Hope you get your big bass this spring
or win your big tournament this year. Hope you have on your Woo
Shoes by Proline Boots so your back enjoyed your fishing day as
much as you did. May God Bless!
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