Adapting for Spring Bass

 

     The wind was howling and my kayak bounced around on the waves. It was early spring and the unpredictable weather of the midwest had served up a blizzard. I'd had cabin fever for weeks and even the colder than average temps couldn't keep me inside any longer. I casted into the chop and as my lure slowly sank near a brush pile, I felt the light thump of a bass inhaling it. I set the hook and the fish peeled drag for a bit on my light set-up. Moments later, my thumb was inside the bottom lip of a fat 5 pounder. Normally, this time of year I would be looking for shallow bays that have warmed up already. I'd be throwing a suspending jerkbait, crawling a jig or plastic or maybe slow rolling a big colorado blade spinnerbait. However, this spring was different and knowing when to adapt to the conditions is key for warm water species like the largemouth bass.
     When it comes to bass, the size of your lure is important. Especially, in conditions like I described above. That spring day in particular I was using a spinning rod with 6 pound test fluorocarbon, an eighth ounce jig head and a three inch grub. The common spring tactics were not working and the more finesse presentations were. In fact, I landed four fish over four pounds on that outing. Often during the ice-out conditions of spring you will see a die-off of forage species like shad or slow moving forage in general as the melting ice mixes with warmer water and cools down the water temperature. Bass and other predators take advantage of this and begin to feast. This is when slow moving lures that match the forage or the action of the forage work well. Even amphibians and crustaceans begin to emerge and move very slowly. Jigs can be dynamite in areas where these food items are found. So the question is...when do you need to adapt with a smaller presentation? Well, this largely depends on water temperatures. This is because a bass's metabolism slows way down in cold water. It is easier for a bass to digest a smaller morsel than a large one and it costs less calories as well.  What this means for the angler encountering temps below 50 degrees in spring is downsizing. Even if you downsize however there are things to keep in mind. For example, bass will be less active in cold water. There will be some fish that are more active than the rest but this activity is usually only for short periods. So this applies to the location you choose. If you are looking for the active fish you would probably want to target an area where they can readily find food, if they are feeding, they will be near a food source obviously. You can catch the more inactive fish though. These fish will generally be hanging around normal bass habitat in well oxygenated water with maybe a little current. Now these fish may not be interested in expending a bunch of energy so a presentation that allows for them to easily slurp up a bait is needed.
Many anglers will say things like "the bass are finally chasing lures". This is a sign that the water temperatures have reached a point where the majority of bass have grown active. If the bass are chasing it's time to bust out your normal sized baits. Let the fish tell you what to do, pay close attention to water temperatures and be open to adapting your presentation and you will find much more success in spring.
      Let's talk about big bass now. In spring, some of the first fish to become active are the big fish. Females must feed to support the eggs in their bellies and get ready for the rigors of the upcoming spawn. This is why spring is one of the best times to catch the heavyweights. Personally, I believe 100% in the big baits for big fish theory. Generally speaking, the big bass will take bigger baits in cold water just like any other time of year. This is relative to the fish's size. If you are throwing a big bait in cold water you are more likely to get fewer bites, however, those bites you get are often quality fish. With that in mind, never overlook the finesse presentation. Big bass will also eat tiny lures and like I wrote above, there are times when downsizing is the ticket. Often, due to the forage available in colder than average spring temps....my presentation is going to mimic a small fish that is moving slow or wounded.  A light jig head and a fat grub is one my favorites. This lure sinks very slowly and can be fished at a pace where you can work it slow anywhere in the water column. There are other good options as well. Crappie tubes, small lipless cranks fished vertically, small spinnerbaits or in-line spinners, count-down minnows, weightless flukes...all of these work well. Make a choice based on local forage, water clarity, weather and what you need to get in front of a bass's mouth. You can choose a lure that is too large but you can never go too small. It is always easy to want to start slinging bass lures as soon as the ice is gone but being aware of the best presentation and adapting will help you be more successful in the ever inconsistent weather of the midwest. Good luck and I hope we are all on the water soon!

The Perfect Position

   

          There are certain advantages to fishing in a kayak. There are also sacrifices made. Learning to fully use the benefits you have in the kayak is key for consistently catching big fish. One of the most obvious advantages is the stealth factor. It is easy to slip up quietly to an area without spooking fish. Still, everybody makes mistakes that cost fish while trying to be stealthy or position their kayak. Personally, I tend to be less aware than I should be of noise inside the kayak. I'm always messing with rods and paddles and sending out bad vibrations. It is also important to be aware of movement and silhouette. I like to wear colors that will blend with the sky. While fishing clear water on sunny days, I like to look for wind action to help break up my silhouette. On calm days try to make long casts and be aware of shadows. Sight-fisherman basically hunt their fish making slow movements and keeping a low profile.  Keeping small details in mind will help you better utilize the stealth factor in a kayak.
         Another  advantage of a kayak is being able to access almost any area of a water body. However, recognizing areas that will hold big fish (based on habitat/seasonal patterns/weather) and positioning on them correctly will make a big difference with having such accessibility. Like most anglers, I like to break down a lake or river and identify areas that are most likely to hold the species I'm after. I then decide what area will be most efficient for time based on how much fishing verse paddling I will be doing. One thing is sure, you won't catch fish without a lure in the water. The larger an area the more time I can spend and often areas with the largest amounts of habitat or food will hold the largest fish.Breaking down a lake will you give the confidence to work an area instead of having doubts and spending a bunch of time paddling. There are times when moving around is beneficial. However, when possible I take advantage of the ability to fish slow in a kayak. I go bass fishing quite often and fishing slow is a great way to catch the big fish. Even working a shoreline in a  bass boat there is a tendency to move much too quickly. The truth is every stump, rock, brush pile etc....could be holding a fish or multiple fish. Big bass especially like isolated pieces of cover. Take advantage of the shoreline, use tie offs, anchors and stake-out poles to stay in place and fan cast a likely looking spot. Figure out what gear you need to efficiently and effectively position your kayak. Fishing fast doesn't always equate to finding more lunkers. Catching the big ones you do encounter should be the focus.
       In open water, rivers, etc...positioning is just as important. If you troll, then you understand the need for attention to detail when positioning. Wind and current direction, the speed of your kayak and your position to the fish are key. If you are fishing over a school of baitfish or deep habitat  make sure your casting angle is properly allowing your lure to move through the strike zone. All the while, keeping your kayak at a distance that allows for stealth. In some situations, I will work a spot in a circular motion, making different casts that might elicit a strike. On a river, these things are even more important. If I'm going to anchor and fish a stationary bait, I always give the spot a wide berth as I move into position.  If I'm casting, I generally take the best position for casting range and the current's effect on lure action. Most of it is common sense, yet being aware and thinking on the water always is important. Combine careful positioning with stealth and the ability to thoroughly work a chosen spot and you've fully taken advantage of some of the most obvious benefits of fishing from a kayak.

     As I wrote in my last post, I like to fish for the big fish...I chase a variety of species but I'm always after the "big ones". I've only briefly brushed on a few of the factors that contribute to catching big fish from a  kayak but they hold true for most species and on almost every body of water. It is important to recognize how to rig your kayak for your personal fishing adventures. With the proper gear to help you position for stealth and maximum fishing opportunity you will catch more fish and enjoy your time in a kayak even more. It is easy to focus on things like what lure to use...but focusing just as much on the details of your whole approach in a kayak will make a huge difference. The best lure will only catch a fish if the fish is there and the lure correctly presented to it. On the water, I'm always learning new things about how to position myself for big fish. It is one of the most valuable tools for successful kayak fishing.
       In  these waning last few weeks of winter I've been preparing my gear for when the ice finally melts. Here in Nebraska, the winters can really start to drag. Part of my preparation has been mental as well. I read fishing books and magazines, do product research, drink a little beer and think about ways to improve my fishing. One of the best ways to improve is by learning to use your tools wisely. Own your kayak,  make it a body part. Take full advantage  of stealth and position. In the near future, I'll be writing about specific species and techniques. There are many more presentations allowed by wisely planned positioning. Paying attention to the details of your approach and position is very important for anyone trying to catch a big fish, anytime they are on the water.
 

A Subtle Wake

     The number one driving force behind my passion for fishing has been the pursuit of the unknown. The mystery of what might be lurking in the depths. The gamble that always pays off in one way or another. For me, the mystery is the beauty itself. Perhaps the vast intricacies of nature are what provides its allure and also a mirror to our own intricacies. Something wild and untamed, something free. For an angler like myself, it is the big fish, the rare fish that embody the mysteriousness. In my pursuit of the rare, my most valued asset is efficiency. Of all things to be efficient with, I most value time. Time increases your chances at catching a big fish. Time at the very least, extends an experience from which to learn from. If you ask an experienced angler what the best learning tool they have is, the answer is usually unanimous....time on the water. In today's fast paced society, finding time for sports that require various gear, travel and windows of opportunity can be challenging. For the longest time, I was a bank angler. In my quest for efficiency, I would carry a backpack with my gear and one or two rods that were versatile enough for several presentations. With this setup, I was able to pound the banks and cover as much water as possible. Sometimes, I would circle an entire pond or lake trying to develop a pattern and locate the fish. In some situations, fishing from shore was more effective than being in a boat. Much like a trout angler quietly wades a stream, keeping a low profile, shore fishing presented the opportunity for a subtle approach. However, like many shore anglers, I was looking forward to the next step...owning a boat.
      My first "boat" was a belly boat. A glorified inner tube  propelled by wearing fins on one's feet. It was fun being able to fish areas I previously could not reach, however, the pace was slow and I was limited to smaller water bodies. Eventually my tube had a leak and I started becoming convinced that this method of fishing was not efficient enough for me. Soon enough, I had graduated to a two man "bass buggy" style boat. Once again, I was limited to smaller water bodies. Propelled by only a trolling motor, I wasn't able to cover much water either. In the back of my mind, time was always pressing and I often didn't have time to try the things I wanted in a given outing. However, with each new vessel I tried, I kept learning more and more about efficiently pursuing big fish. Finally, the happy day came when I purchased my first bass boat. It was a simple aluminum Bass Tracker with a 50hp Evinrude outboard and a foot controlled trolling motor. I thought I had finally become satisfyingly efficient on the water and especially because my local waters were not large. Yet, the problems that come with owning a boat soon became evident. Trailer wiring, dead batteries, shorted fuses, gas consumption and a multitude of other headaches seemed to constantly plague my outings. There were times when having a motor powered boat made fishing better than any other means but I began to feel like the negatives were outweighing the positives. The first time I took my wife out, we hit a small, local bass lake at the perfect evening hour. Within ten minutes my trolling  motor propeller had become hopelessly entangled in some heavy braided line someone had broke off on a log. We went home early, which to a hopeless fishing addict like me was just the pits. Then one day, while out in my boat on a lake a few hours west of where I lived, I saw something very intriguing. There was a guy fishing in a kayak. This guy was slicing through the water with ease. He looked very content and relaxed. He had a milk crate strapped to the back of his kayak with pvc tubes mounted on it as rod holders. In his milk crate he had all his tackle stowed securely. I watched as he eased onto a weed bed and started pitching his bait into holes and catching some nice bass. It looked so effortless! I began thinking about the concept....how easy to load and unload it would be, never having to worry about engine trouble or anything related. It seemed so efficient for my style of fishing and the locations I fished. I don't know who that guy was but he left an impression on me.
           Over the next couple years, I didn't think much of buying a kayak. I figured although it was an interesting idea, it would not be suitable for me. I figured that fishing on a windy day or trying to keep upright would be difficult for a 6' 200 pound dude like myself. Then one wintry day, I was scouring our local bass club's fishing forum when someone posted a link to a new fishing kayak that had come out. The video featured a guy standing in the kayak and jumping around and it advertised amazing stability and features like built in rod holders and anchor recesses. It blew my mind! People that know me, know that when I start fishing, I usually don't stop casting until it's time to leave and even then it's difficult to pry me away. That said, fishing appeals to me in a whole variety of ways...one of them being the peace and tranquility I get from being on the water and in nature. One thing that will slow me down on the lake is the sighting of wildlife. I will stop to photograph everything from an eagle to a bullfrog sitting in the lily pads. While watching this kayak promo video and seeing a guy float down a stream in peace and quiet, the subtleness of the kayak had great appeal to me. I started thinking about all the backwaters I could reach. I thought about the fact that while I would have all the advantages of a shore angler, I would also be able to reach the same areas I could in a bass boat. I started thinking about efficiency and time on the water and before I knew it, my bass boat was for sale and I had ordered a top of the line fishing kayak.
       For once, I had a boat that lived up to all my expectations. I could launch from almost anywhere. I could paddle into waves that crashed over the top of my kayak. I could fish the shallowest of water and the deepest as well. I had found the versatility I was looking for. Also, there was something very gratifying about the oneness with nature that I felt in the kayak. It was quiet and peaceful and I left a very small footprint. I encountered wildlife  more frequently and battling a big fish was much more exciting as they towed and spun my kayak. There are of course situations where a having a big boat with an outboard will catch you more fish and be more efficient...but for my style and in most of my situations the kayak has been an amazing tool. There are pedal propelled kayaks on the market that can take on huge lakes and the ocean for that matter. Guys go out and catch sharks and sailfish in their kayaks. My brother and I caught two giant blue catfish in excess of 75 pounds each last summer from our kayaks. The amazing part is I doubt we could have accessed  and caught those fish by any other means. Among all the great benefits of kayak fishing is the fact you also get excersize while paddling around. For me, it is a sport that benefits the mind, body and soul. In my lifelong pursuit of those mysterious lunker fish, I have found my favorite way to stay afloat. I'm capturing something larger than any fish and leaving only a subtle wake.