Springtime Bass, Doing Their Thing
by Tom Lester
 I suppose the bass have finally figured out that
spring is here and it is time to go shallow. It seems like
we humans have been experiencing spring-like conditions for
several weeks, but the bass have been waiting, and now is the
time to get out there and catch 'em. The spawn is to
bassfishermen/women what the rut is to deer hunters. It is the
time of year the big 'uns become more vulnerable than any other
time of the year.
Recently, Benji Hohenberger and I headed over to
pre-fish a tournament at Cedar Creek Lake. After fishing for
an hour or so, we headed into a small creek looking for bass and
boy, was I surprised. The water was just clear enough to
spot a nice bass on the bed with the help of my Solar Bat
polorized glasses. High quality sunglasses, like the Solar
Bat's, are a must when bed fishing. They help you see
through the water's glare enabling you to spot bass on their
spawning nest. Upon further inspection in our small creek, we
found several more bass protecting their nest. I love to
sight fish for bass more than any other type of fishing.
At this point, we pitched lizards and small worms
onto the nest. Being careful not the spook the fish, we
would actually pitch past the nest and drag the Kalin's
watermelon lizard or Western worm in green back onto the nest in
front of the fish. Once the bait was on the nest, we shook the
line to make the bait move a little and aggravate the bass to the
point that they wanted it off of the nest. They would pick it up
in their mouth to move it and BOOM, we'd set the hook and the
rest is in the pictures. We even caught the same bass, two
different times. I caught it first and 20 minutes later
Benji caught it off of the same nest. I like the Kalin's worms
and lizards because they are packed with salt, which the bass
find irresistible. Once they bite, they hold on longer than with
other plastic baits I've used. Proper rod, reel and line
selection is also important when bed fishing. The clarity of
the water you are fishing will greatly dictate the size line you
need to use. Bedding fish are spooky and in clear water, the
chances of hooking up with these fish are less than when they are
in murkier water. Proper gear selection is important.
In clear water I use P Line's CX fluorocarbon
coated line. It is virtually invisible underwater making it
difficult for bass to detect. In all other conditions, I use P
Line's CXX line. It is limp and spools off of the reel smoothly
making accurate pitching much easier to do. When bed fishing, it
is imperative that your casting be on target to increase your
chances of hooking up with the bass. A good medium-heavy to heavy
action rod is a good choice. I prefer my Abu Garcia 6'6''
med/heavy action Conolon rod with my Moorum reel, also by Abu
Garcia. With precision casting being a necessity when bed
fishing, I go with the smoothest rod and reel combo in my
arsenal. In "gin clear" water, like that often
found at Lake Whitney during the spring, I use my Ultra cast
spinning reel mounted on a 6'6'' medium action Conolon rod rigged
with 6-10 lb. P Line. It makes for a lethal combination for
clear water bassin'.
If sight fishing is not for you, try chunking
spinnerbaits along the bank. Cover lots of water, and you
will probably catch fish. I like bright colors in the
spring. Look for 60-68 degree water and watch for movement along
the shoreline or for the bass themselves. If you want to fish the
spawn, but don't own a boat, don't know where to go or what to
do, contact a guide. They are there to help you catch fish and
learn the sport. They can be a great benefit to you. Contact
Stan Lawhon or Mike's Guide Serivce. I highly recommend both
of them for a good day on the water.
This is the time of year for you to do your
thing, if your thing is catching bass here in the
south. Find or make time to get out on the water and look
for spawning bass.
Until next time, enjoy the Texas outdoors.
Tom Lester
| Author Information.
 Tom Lester owns and operates Four Seasons
Lawnscape, a landscape and lawn maintenance service, in
Corsicana, Texas. He has fished for most of his 36 years to
some degree or another. He fishes competitively in bass
tournaments and is beginning his professional bass fishing career
in the BASS invitational circuit and the Everstart Series.
Tom lives with his wife, Kelly, in Corsicana, Texas, only a
few miles from Richland-Chambers reservoir, one of the hottest
new bass lakes to open in Texas in the past ten years. He
formerly resided in Cleburne, Texas, where he guided part-time
for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Tom is currently on the
field staff for Abu Garcia, Norman Lures,
Inspiration Lures, and Bill Lewis Lures, and on the pro staff for
Kalin's,
CastAway
Rods, P-Line,
and Nuwave Products.
Tom enjoys fishing, hunting and writing his outdoor column for
the Corsicana Daily Sun and freelance writing. He is a
former high school Agricultural Science instructor and animal
health pharmaceutical sales rep. He graduated from Texas
A&M University with a B.S in Agricultural Education and a
Master of Education degree. Tom likes being his own boss so
he can take off to go fishing, whenever he likes, and leave his
wife in charge of the business.
Email Tom at lester01@airmail.net
Visit Tom at his web site: Fishing
Pro Staff |
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