Early Spring River Bass
April 30, 2014 by Chad Smith
Filed under Chad Smith, Northern States Bass Fishing
Here in Minnesota we can’t really fish for early spring bass. Our bass season opens at the end of May each year. But, with certain areas bordering Wisconsin and the Mississippi River in-between, we have the ability to fish year round because the river has no designated seasons. Learning to fish so early in the year, especially on the river, is a skill that I have had to work hard to acquire.
This is my first year at Winona State University and I have been able to experience some different bass fishing that I am not necessarily use to being able to do this early in the year. Winona is located on the lower eastern part of Minnesota and borders Wisconsin on the River. Because of our location, we have access to the river at all times which the Winona State University (WSU) bass fishing club and team takes advantage of and has annual club tournaments on.
One of the biggest obstacles to conquer when targeting these river bass is the search for warmer water. The bass will be in search of the warmest water because they are starting to think about pulling up into shallow water to spawn and to feed on baitfish. The water temperatures fluctuate so much this time of year because of the constant rising and falling of the water. Weather conditions really affect these bass this time of year because they are so sensitive.
Along with finding warm water, you need to be able to find what the bass are relating to, whether it be wood, rock / rip rap banks, grass, or muddy banks. Typically man made structure with any sort of metal or wood will heat up the quickest in the sun and retain that heat the longest, which gives the bass something to relate to. This time of year, bass seem to relate to steeper cut banks that still have access to deeper water, the reason for this is it gives fish somewhere to pull up fast but go back down with the fluctuating weather conditions. Another thing to look for when targeting largemouth is lack of current, backwater areas act as wintering holes and can really be popular this time of year. When targeting smallmouth, current seams and eddies, or simply just anywhere that has slack water can be a holding ground.
Finally, after figuring out where you fish are located and what they’re relating to, you need to be able to catch the fish. Typically the bass’ metabolisms are low and they are not looking to exert a lot of energy to catch a meal which means you need to slow down your presentation. Around this time of year when the water temperatures are below 50 degrees the fish are more likely to eat baits such as jigs, texas rigged plastics, and finesse techniques. My go to in this situation is a texas rigged Berkley Powerbait Chigger Craw with a 1/2 oz. pegged bullet weight. Once you start to see waters in above that 50 degree mark, moving reaction baits like jerk baits, swim jigs, chatter baits, rattle traps, and square bills, tend to shine because fish become more active and begin their pre-spawn feeding frenzy.
These three basic steps can really be a starting ground for locating early spring river bass and help you put more fish in the boat.
Time on the Water
April 29, 2014 by Chris McDonald
Filed under Chris McDonald, Northern States Bass Fishing, Uncategorized
Time on the Water
It’s one thing to think you know how to fish in a certain condition; it’s another thing to go out and do it. The last weekend in April is a holiday to me. Michigan opens its bass season, or should I say the catch and release season. It’s the first time in 4 months anglers can chase bass.
This year Michigan had a harsh winter, one that has not been seen in years. I remember ones similar to it as a kid they were not nearly as bad as this one. This spring has been cold which has just been a follow up to weeks of below freezing temps during the winter.
I bring this up because over the last five years or more on opening day the water temp has been 60 or above, last year at this time the bass were in post spawn already. I thought I understood how to fish for cold water bass. I was greeted instead with a realization that I don’t know as much as I thought.
In the digital age we live it easy to watch a video, or read an article on a site like this and think you understand how to fish cold water or bass just moving up. In truth there is nothing that can beat time on the water in those conditions.
I can say it “I don’t know how to fish cold water like I should or thought I did.” In Michigan I have not been able to fish these conditions, and when I have gone south during pre-spawn the bass are moved up the water temp is hovering near 60 and they are close to spawning.
Yes I believe you can learn from reading and watching videos, I read more about bass fishing then most guys I am sure. The problem becomes can you take what you have read and make it work on the water? Can you adjust to the conditions or the bass? When the bite dies do you know what to do then? Can you make the adjustments need?
This is why I think time on the water cannot be over looked. Anglers become better anglers by doing, learning from time spent on the water. I equate it to something a professor in college told me. He basically said you can learn everything in the books we have you read but the real world does not always play out like in the text books.
Don’t get over confident, instead put your time in, log things in your mind that work and learn every time you are out. I learned that I need more cold water experience this year. I need to spend more time on the lake over the next few weeks well the water is in the low 40’s and slowly climbs higher into the 50’s and then 60’s.
Don’t be afraid to admit you have a weakness that needs to be worked on. Instead embrace what you don’t know or what you need to work on. Use that weakness to become a better angler. Keep reading; keep watching videos but remember that there is no substitute for time logged on the water. Those who are smarter then I say it takes 10,000 hours of physically doing something to master it. Think about that, think about all of the different ways we can catch bass and all the different situations we can face. If you have to put in 10,000 hours for a jerkbait, crankbait or any technique to master it time on the water is the only cure.
