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Certain buzz words come to mind when you think of spring fishing. For me, these words are sheltered, protected, closed off. That’s because I’m reminding myself of the places where big bass find what they need in the spring.
The bass is a cold-blooded creature. Its body temperature is exactly that of the water surrounding it. Therefore, it stands to reason that in the early spring, you should seek out the warmest water you can find in a given lake, river, or reservoir. Experienced fishermen know that a temperature variation of only one or two degrees often spells the difference between success or failure. I’ve often found water in the northwest sector of lakes or rivers to be five degrees warmer than elsewhere. |
| So, when you begin to plot your course of action in the early spring,
get out a map of the lake, locate the northwest sector, and fish
this area first.
Many fishermen are aware of the moon’s influence on their success
(or lack of it); few understand how the sun affects bass
fishing. The sun is commonly viewed as the enemy of the bass,
something it avoids. This is a misleading notion. The bass is, after
all, a member of the sunfish family. I’ve watched ten-pound bass
basking in direct sunlight, like other sunfish. Sunlight fuels the
machinery that gets the world of the bass into gear. Without it,
there would be no bass.
At no time is the sun’s influence more vital than in spring. For
the water to warm sufficiently for spawning,
the sun must reach the shallow bottom. This dictates, to a large
degree, where a bass will spawn. For sunlight, the location must be shallow, not overly shaded, and not
subject to excessive wave action that would break up the sun’s
rays. In many rivers, canals offer excellent spawning habitat.
Creeks, secluded coves, and other quiet, out-of-the-way places are
also prime spawning areas for big bass.
I consider it unethical to fish for bass on their spawning beds.
They are locked into their nests; they will not leave unless driven
off by a larger predator (usually man or a drastic, sudden
change in water temperature). A big bass is highly vulnerable
while spawning. Often spawners are easily seen...and easily
taken. I’ve seen “fishermen” throw heavy lines rigged with grab
hooks to snag big females on their spawning beds. While most
would never resort to a such a lowly method of gathering a trophy,
many believe it’s okay to catch bass on their beds with artificial
lures or live bait. I’m a fisherman and a researcher, not a
preacher. All I can say is that once you really get to know the bass,
bed fishing simply becomes out of the question.
Any discussion of spawning bass brings up the importance of the
lunar influence on their world. Simply stated, the moon is a clock
or calendar that triggers the spawning urge. This explains why a
great many bass will bed at the same time. All bass do not drop
their eggs right on the full or new moon, of course; this spawning
activity occurs in waves. While some are preparing to spawn,
others have finished, and still others will wait until the next full or
new moon.
There’s nothing mystical or magical about the moon’s influence.
If simpler creatures didn’t have the moon to go by, they’d
spawn a little here and a little there. Their eggs would hatch a few
at a time, enabling predators to ravage their offspring. But when
millions hatch at once, the survival of the species is assured.
Likewise, when viewing the bass as a predator, bear in mind that
it will seek to maximize its feeding opportunities by being “on the
prowl” when insects, crustaceans, and other creatures in its
world are also most active during the full and new moons, and
during the major and minor lunar periods of each day. Thus, to
catch a big bass in the spring, concentrate your fishing around the
days and times when the overall level of life is highest.
Spring is typified by one or two warm, pleasant days followed by
a blockbuster of a cold front. It’s during these frontal passages
that spring fishing is at its toughest. That’s because the fish actually
undergo a pronounced physical change.
As soon as clouds begin to reappear following a day or two of bluebird skies, begin fishing shallower and on the edges of heavy
cover. Bass holding deep in brush and weeds move out first and
become more active. The fish in deep holes readjust more slowly
and begin to move shallower. If you have limited time on your spring
fishing trip, try to locate shallow areas with plenty of cover
that are close to deep holes or dropoffs. You should also fish early,
before the sun has a chance to penetrate the water. And above all,
fish slow.
When the water temperature is in the 40’s, 50's and even low 60's bass are
going to be quite sluggish. They will feed, but won’t move quickly
or cover great distances to track down prey. A slow twitch and retrieve technique works well with the Original Fishing Snake™ to attract what just may be the biggest bass you've ever caught.
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