Springtime Bassin'
by Charles Stuart
June
is here and my fingers are itching to get bass
fishing!
Due to
local DEC regulations, we are not permitted to fish
for bass on Long Island for a few more weeks, so I will discuss
the techniques I use for upstate New York and Connecticut.
Despite
a short, mild winter, the bass will begin their annual
movement towards the shoreline in preparation for feeding and
bedding. Males will bite more readily close to the shoreline,
however the larger females will hold back, usually at the first
or second drop-off. This annual ritual is probably the best time
to catch that lunker fish you have dreamed about.
Let us
first look at clear water conditions. Keep your
distance from your target area, reduce shoreline or boat noise to
a minimum. Fish only small baits that will make as little surface
movement as possible. This is the perfect time to fish light
lines with a six foot spinning rod and reel combo. Pale green and
pumpkinseed colors will produce well at this time of the year. As
you know, I like to use dipping dye and so a small section of the
tail dipped in chartreuse will certainly get a lot of attention.
Jig and pork combinations are a natural presentation and will
draw detectable bites from the larger fish. The best color is
without doubt black and blue. I do however like to make the jigs
as close to the local crawfish color that I am trying to imitate,
so remember to try greens and browns with a touch of red in the
body. If I had a choice between plastic and pork trailers for
bass fishing, I would have to choose plastic. The versatility of
this product is far superior to pork. The buoyancy, texture and
adaptability make it a number one choice. You could also
consider dipping the tail of the trailer in red dye to really
dress up the latter presentation.
If you
encounter suspended bass, a jerkbait will catch a
better quality fish. Due to the size of the lure, smaller bass
are less likely to strike at the bait leaving it for the bigger
fish. Of course, now I have said that you will probably catch a
nine-inch bass on a six-inch lure! That has happened to me so
many times, it is no longer funny. The spinnerbait fished with a
Colorado / willow leaf blade combination is a very productive
lure at this time of year.
Stained
and muddy water will allow the angler to become more
daring in the presentation. Larger baits with dark colors such as
black, blue, and purple can be seen. When worm fishing, I like to
add a rattle just in front of the hook point. Bass will track the
sound before it sees the bait and will usually commit to the
lure, once the outline can be seen. Again, spinnerbaits rolled
over stumps and rocks or lipless crankbaits ripped through the
water close to the emerging weedbeds will draw savage strikes
from any hungry bass. I also like to Carolina rig early in the
season in fifteen to twenty feet of water, for those previously
mentioned, larger fish that will not come to shore until things
really heat up. It is worth the slow dragging presentation of
this rig to catch a monster fish.
As
were are now well into the new millennium, I would ask
all my fellow bass anglers and those of us who also like to catch
other species, to please make a determined effort to release your
fish back to their natural environment. Take home your trash,
loose line and discarded tackle and please leave the places you
fish in the same condition you would like to find them.
| Author Information.
 Charles
Stuart is a pro angler, journalist and NY State Guide who fishes
the B.A.S.S., RED MAN, FOXWOODS and the ABC Tours in the
Northeast. Born and educated in England, Charles fished
professionally in England when he lived there. Charles has now
lived on Long Island, NY for over 15 years. He's fished most
lakes, rivers, streams and ponds on the island. He has fished
from the Canadian border to Florida in search of largemouth and
smallmouth bass.
One of Charle's
objectives is to use the knowledge he has gained to teach young
fishermen and women the joy of the sport and the art of
"catching". Charles feels that, unlike other sports,
all members of the family can enjoy fishing together. To Charles,
fishing is a sport that does not place pressure on a child to
succeed, thereby building the child's confidence and self-esteem.
Charles is sponsored by
Bullet Weights, G.Loomis, Budz Fishin Wayz, Gamakatsu, Lake Hawk,
Chevy Trucks, Hawg-ly Lures, Power Resources cranking &
trolling motor batteries, Uncle Josh, Ike-Con Fishing Tackle,
Snap-Set Spinnerbaits, Map-Trap, and Stamina Components.
You can email Charles
at LIFisher@aol.com
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