SWITCH IT UP FOR SALTY BASS

You already have that freshwater bass gear in the garage, so as the largemouth bite slows down, give saltwater bass a try. Sand bass love your tackle box’s spinnerbaits, but spotted bay bass and calicos will attack them too. (BILL SCHAEFER)

SALTY BASS ARE JUST AS SWEET

SWITCH FROM LAKES/LARGEMOUTH TO BAYS/CALICOS, ETC., TO KEEP THE BITE GOING IN WINTER

By Capt. Bill Schaefer

Bass fishermen, unite! Yes; that’s what I said.

Right now, largemouth fishing can be a little slow with temperatures cooling lakes around Southern California. But if you’re a freshwater angler who hasn’t taken advantage of our bays, you should really consider it. I know, I know; it’s hard to envision putting your bass boat in saltwater. But wash it down thoroughly afterwards and you should be good to go.

Tackle might be a different story, as some reels with magnesium components shouldn’t be used around saltwater. But fishing the different bass available to you in the bays will keep you in tune for the next freshwater fishing trip you take, as the salty bass eat a lot of the same lures.

MAKING THE SWITCH Several freshwater bass fishermen already have taken on the salty bass and never looked back. They’ve discovered the fun and similar action they can have with the saltwater variety. The Southland’s bass include the spotted bay, a bass that is built like a river-run smallmouth and fights like one too.

Spots grow to about 3 pounds but run 1 to 2 pounds on average, though when hooked you’ll think you have a much larger fish on your line.

Barred sand bass can grow to 13 pounds but are rarely found over 5 or 6 pounds in the bays. A hard fighter as well, this bass is shaped more like a largemouth.

And then you have the calico. This bass – usually found more towards the deeper mouths of the bays, on docks and rocks – fight hard in its own right. The record fish is about 14 pounds, but they are rarely caught over 5 to 6 pounds, as well, in the bays. Also shaped like a largemouth, calicos are the big prize for bay anglers.

PICK A BAIT, ANY BAIT So what do bay bass eat? Just about anything in your freshwater tackle box. “Oh, I haven’t ever done this. How do I figure them out?” you might ask.

Well, close your eyes to the shoreline and surroundings, pretend you’re on your favorite lake, and attack it as if you were fishing freshwater instead of saltwater. All the bays of Southern

As author Bill Schaefer shows, spotted bay bass readily eat crankbaits, as do the other two bass species in Southern California’s bays and harbors. (BILL SCHAEFER)

California have structure similar to the region’s lakes – pier and dock pilings, shoreline riprap and shallow to deep weedbeds.

All of these can be attacked just as you would on the lakes. And once you catch a few on the salt, your confidence will grow rapidly.

Piers and docks can be flipped with jigs with living rubber and either a swimbait or creature bait trailer, or even whatever you usually use. Deep or shallow weeds can be fished in a lot of different ways you’re used to. Spinnerbaits over the weeds; flukes darting through the weeds; crankbaits or jerkbaits run over the weeds; and swimbaits slow rolled through the tops of them. There will be no doubt when you are bit, as all three saltwater bass attack baits with a vengeance.

You have been here before, my freshwater friends, so just take a chance and try it if you haven’t. You will get hooked on it and catch fish

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Calico bass are usually found closer to the mouths of the bays on rocks, docks and pilings. These fish can be a lot of fun to target. (BILL SCHAEFER)

without much adaptation. Again, just do it as if you’re on your home lake and leave the rest to the fish.

TALKING TACKLE For your gear, as previously mentioned, leave the magnesium reels at home. They do not do well with saltwater and will go south in one day. Any other modern-day reel will only need a quick rinse with hot water. Hot water takes the salt residue away and quickly evaporates.

The same principles should go for your boat; wash it well and you should be fine. You have the advantage of taking it to a lake since that is your normal fishing pattern. One day of running around the lake will flush your motor completely clean. I take my bay boat to the lakes all the time and my mechanic says I have no salt residue in my engine when he works on it.

Overall, you can just throw all your freshwater gear into the boat and leave it rigged exactly as if you were going to your favorite lake. Tote along your crankbait rods, spinnerbait rods and swimbait rods – you get the picture. The Daiwa rods I use in the bay are of the freshwater Tatula series variety. They have sealed bearings to keep saltwater out and hold up to the bay bass well.

Anywhere from 6- to 10-poundtest line on your spinning gear and 8- to 15-pound on your casting gear should do well. Braided lines do well also, but remember to wash it out well when done fishing.

As you can see, you don’t have to change much to enjoy bay bass fishing, which is usually pretty good yearround, including in winter when the lakes can start to slow a bit.

The cold doesn’t turn these fish off. They are tidal bass, and I know a lot of you freshwater guys fish tidal waters for largemouth, like up north in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

Pick up a tide book and if the water is moving in or out, you should do well. Good luck out there when you shake the salt. CS