“Surfing around the web this week I was thinking a lot about other articles on spring fishing (some issue in my niche) and I found an interesting article that talked about it. It was rather informative and made me realize how this article is in fact important and worthy of attention. I’ve pasted this article below for you to check out yourself. It is simliar in content to a post I wrote last week but with more info. So I thought I would post it here for you all to read.
Early Spring Fishing
By Scott Patton of Bluegrass Lures
With the winter chills beginning to thaw, and longer daylight hours which in the fishing world we call it the photo light period of the day. It creates longer sun exposure . This is what begins to warm the earth's atmosphere and to warm at a slower pace the water temps as well. This photo light period is what makes the natural world start its change out of the dormant winter habits.
Next we will have to look at the currents warming and cold fronts to decide where the bass may be. One thing for certain they are triggered to move by instinct and the photo light period, to begin their way to the spawning grounds. The current weather tells us what techniques will be the best for catching.
Some of the first places that I start my search is by locating where a main river or a major creek will swing away from a steep bank or rock wall. These type of places allow the fish easy access to deeper water, or a shallower flat depending on the current weather, and the main area on this bluff or steep bank (deepest portion) is where the bass world have spent its winter. Now remember that this pattern will work the same in major creeks and no only on the main lake.
Some of the lures that will be effective at this time of year are a flipping or casting jig, jerk bait, a rattle trap and also a spinner bait.
You will be using the current weather to help you decide on what stage the bass will be at. It its been warm for a few days look for the fish with a jerk bait right on the edge of the drop into the deeper water. Use your electronics to help you find that main decline in depth, this is where the fish will normally hold also look for stumps or brush piles buried by crappie fishermen. Fish will also suspend right over the cover, moving up to absorb the heat generated by the sun. Keep in mind that these fish are cold blooded and a few degree change in water temp can mean a lot. A jerk bait is an ideal bait because you can get it down into striking range of the fish and it is a lure that you will want to fish with a jerk, jerk, and then pause the bait, this bait if you bought or weighted your own will suspend at the depth and will stay in the strike zone longer enabling these sluggish fish a better chance to take the lure.
Another lure that I like to fish early in the year is a rattle trap. This lure is awesome at this time of year. I like to find a long tapering point that extends out into the lake that has a river or major creek swinging next to it. I'll look for stumps or a gravel and rocky bottom. Once its been warm for a week or so this is a great place to catch not one but a lot of big fish. I'll be casting into 5 to 6 foot depths and working the bait back to the boat which could be in 20 ft. of water. The fish can be any where on the flat so keep the bait down next to the bottom and work it slow all the way back to the boat. You can also hop the lure back to the boat working it like a jig.
Now with the spinner bait I will fish it in both of the previous areas, but it is also an excellent bait to slow roll along creek channel edges when you have rock and wood together. I use a new spinner bait that I designed call the diamond back. It has a built in rattle chamber into the blade, combine this with the flash off the blades and the bass can't stand watching it go by. With the jig I will fish it after I have located my fish in any of the previous places that we just spoke of. One thing with the jig, I fish it slow and I will use a fish attractant and the only one that I have used that I know works is Carolina Lunker Sauce, it smells like the natural thing and most important it will stay on your bait for about half an hour. With most attractants they wash off in only a couple of casts.
Scott Patton has fished on the ESPN B.A.S.S. and or the FLW tour for over 12 years and has been fishing tournament for over 20 years he has been a guide for eight years, and is sponsored by St. Croix Rods and Reels, ZOOM, Rattle Trap and BLUEGRASS LURES, and Costa Del Mar Sunglasses.
www.fishin.com/articles/2004/spring.htm
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