| I suppose the bass have finally figured out that | | | | are fishing will greatly dictate the size line you |
| spring is here and it is time to go shallow. It | | | | need to use. Bedding fish are spooky and in clear |
| seems like we humans have been experiencing | | | | water, the chances of hooking up with these fish |
| spring-like conditions for several weeks, but the | | | | are less than when they are in murkier water. |
| bass have been waiting, and now is the time to | | | | Proper gear selection is important. |
| get out there and catch 'em. The spawn is to | | | | In clear water I use P Line's CX fluorocarbon |
| bass fishermen/women what the rut is to deer | | | | coated line. It is virtually invisible underwater |
| hunters. It is the time of year the big 'uns | | | | making it difficult for bass to detect. In all other |
| become more vulnerable than any other time of | | | | conditions, I use P Line's CXX line. It is limp and |
| the year. | | | | spools off of the reel smoothly making accurate |
| Recently, Benji Hohenberger and I headed over to | | | | pitching much easier to do. When bed fishing, it is |
| pre-fish a tournament at Cedar Creek Lake. After | | | | imperative that your casting be on target to |
| fishing for an hour or so, we headed into a small | | | | increase your chances of hooking up with the |
| creek looking for bass and boy, was I surprised. | | | | bass. |
| The water was just clear enough to spot a nice | | | | A good medium-heavy to heavy action rod is a |
| bass on the bed with the help of my Solar Bat | | | | good choice. I prefer my Abu Garcia 6'6'' med |
| polarized glasses. | | | | heavy action Conolon rod with my Morrum reel, |
| High quality sunglasses, like the Solar Bat's, are a | | | | also by Abu Garcia. With precision casting being a |
| must when bed fishing. They help you see | | | | necessity when bed fishing, I go with the |
| through the water's glare enabling you to spot | | | | smoothest rod and reel combo in my arsenal. In |
| bass on their spawning nest. Upon further | | | | "gin clear" water, like that often found at Lake |
| inspection in our small creek, we found several | | | | Whitney during the spring, I use my Ultra cast |
| more bass protecting their nest. I love to sight | | | | spinning reel mounted on a 6'6'' medium action |
| fish for bass more than any other type of fishing. | | | | Conolon rod rigged with 6-10 lb. P Line. It makes |
| At this point, we pitched lizards and small worms | | | | for a lethal combination for clear water bassin'. |
| onto the nest. Being careful not the spook the | | | | If sight fishing is not for you, try chunking |
| fish, we would actually pitch past the nest and | | | | spinnerbaits along the bank. Cover lots of water, |
| drag the Kalin's watermelon lizard or Western | | | | and you will probably catch fish. I like bright colors |
| worm in green back onto the nest in front of the | | | | in the spring. Look for 60-68 degree water and |
| fish. Once the bait was on the nest, we shook | | | | watch for movement along the shoreline or for |
| the line to make the bait move a little and | | | | the bass themselves. |
| aggravate the bass to the point that they wanted | | | | If you want to fish the spawn, but don't own a |
| it off of the nest. They would pick it up in their | | | | boat, don't know where to go or what to do, |
| mouth to move it and BOOM, we'd set the hook | | | | contact a guide. They are there to help you catch |
| and the rest is in the pictures. We even caught | | | | fish and learn the sport. They can be a great |
| the same bass, two different times. I caught it | | | | benefit to you. Contact Stan Lawhon or Mike's |
| first and 20 minutes later Benji caught it off of | | | | Guide Service. I highly recommend both of them |
| the same nest. I like the Kalin's worms and lizards | | | | for a good day on the water. |
| because they are packed with salt, which the | | | | This is the time of year for you to do your thing, |
| bass find irresistible. Once they bite, they hold on | | | | if your thing is catching bass here in the south. |
| longer than with other plastic baits I've used. | | | | Find or make time to get out on the water and |
| Proper rod, reel and line selection is also important | | | | look for spawning bass. |
| when bed fishing. The clarity of the water you | | | | |