5 minute read
BASS ON THE BEDS
LARGIES CHARGE THE BANK SPRINGTIME FINDS BASS SEARCHING FOR SPAWNING BEDS; OUR PRO BREAKS DOWN FISHING THE STAGES
By Bill Schaefer
Springtime is always a great time of year to fish bass in Southern California, but this year the COVID-19 outbreak was impacting opportunities to get on the water and how angling is practiced. At press time Governor Newsom’s stay-at-home and social distancing orders had led some reservoir managers to close their lakes to all access, including fishing, though others were still open. Best advice: check ahead.
The reason this time of year is usually popular for bass fishing is that water temperatures at most lakes are up in the 60s, which gets male bass charging the banks. Big trophy females won’t be far behind.
As the males roam the banks looking for a nesting area for themselves and their mate, they readily eat a lot of different baits. This can be because they’re hungry or guarding an area they’ve already picked out.
Either way, if you want to have fun, now is the time to the beautiful waters of Southern Californias shine.
GET THE POINTS So where do you start? Almost anywhere, but I would concentrate on outside main lake points and then work back into the coves. As I mentioned, there are thousands of male bass cruising the banks right now and they will eat a large variety of Bill Schaefer is a longtime Southland basser. He caught this largemouth throwing a Yamamoto Senko into shoreline brush. Soft plastic stickbaits can be a great lure for springtime bedding bass. (BILL SCHAEFER)
Spinnerbaits run through freshly submerged brush can be a quick way to locate and catch bass in the springtime. (BILL SCHAEFER)
baits. If the winter rains have put a lot of brush in the water at your favorite lake, then go in after them.
Most bass in Southland lakes rush to the bank when the water comes up and creates cover for them. Run some reaction baits around shoreline cover to locate bass or get a few early morning bites. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft and hard jerkbaits can do well in this situation.
When headed into the bass spawn, there are always some early spawners, as well as late ones. You may already see some bedding fish protecting their nests this time of year.
DEEPER WATER A FACTOR One thing to remember now is that with rising water from winter and spring storms, bass may also bed deeper. Once locked onto a bed they will not move, even if the water comes up. If fishing in shallow water is slow or it’s a blue sky day, don’t hesitate to fish a little deeper. The bass may just be in 20 feet of water instead of 10.
Texas-rigged worms, or drop-shot or split-shot rigs will score this time of year. The trick is to fish them a little slower than normal. And I mean really slow. Creep them along an inch or two in a move, give them a little shake and then let them sit for as long as you can stand it. You will eventually drag them through a bed or past a protective mom that will eat your bait.
GEAR CHECK For spring tackle, the first thing you need to do if you haven’t been out – or even if you have – is to get your rods and reels in order. This is the time to catch that trophy wall hanger – and you don’t want to break it off.
Lube up your reels, wipe down your rods and check guides, replace line and, most importantly, make sure you have a smooth drag. The one time you need it, you want it to work flawlessly. This time of year will let you break out different rods that you may not have used for a while. For example, your spinnerbait rods may be leaning in the corner covered in dust. Fix them all up. If you only have a few rods and use them for a lot of applications, then you have it a tad easier.
Since the bass are charging the bank, you might want to go with braided line. One with 25-pound test, which has the diameter of 4- to 6-pound monofilament, will pull those bass out of the brush easily.
I like casting and spinning gear year-round, but I go with spinning more now. I use Daiwa Tatula rods and reels loaded with the appropriate Maxima line in braid and mono. It all depends on where you’re casting and the structure the fish might be in.
Go a little heavier for a lot of structure and lighter for less. With reaction baits I often go heavier since the bass are charging for the kill.
CONSIDER CATCH AND RELEASE I will not debate bed fishing with you, but I do strongly encourage you to take a photo and release a giant back to her bed. Taxidermists can make an exact replica with just pictures, and releasing the bass will lessen the stress on the fish. She will then finish her spawn and hopefully continue to populate your lake with more potential trophy bass. CS
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