 April
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.
In closing as we approach 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.
Tight Lines!
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