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