Probass Networks: Terry Brown

Springtime strategies and associated techniques for success revolve around the pre-spawn process and gauging when the big female bass move their egg laden and winter weary forms to the shallows for the ritual of spawning.

No one knows more about this time of the year than the “father of sight fishing” BASS pro, Guido Hibdon. Guido has parlayed over 50 years of experience fishing the clear waters of the Lake of the Ozarks to pattern “spawners” in many of the clear water impoundments across the country. “Fish are animals of instinct and creatures of the environment and knowing when they move shallow to spawning areas can turn a bad day into a payday” quipped the 54 year old pro. “I sight fish 12 months of the year but the springtime is most conducive to this technique. Many anglers are intimidated by sight fishing but I really believe with the right conditions on the proper presentation I can catch almost all the fish I see.” Having a quality pair of sunglasses, Hibdon wears Solar Bats, in mossback green is critical.” Keeping light penetration and glare to a minimum will allow the angler to stalk the bedding prey and position the boat properly. “Sunny days are the best but I have caught sight fish under many conditions. Most folks think that you need a dead calm day with the sun at your back but I have caught some of my biggest stringers on calm cloudy days on fish suspending over trees, in buck brush or under docks.” Fish positioned directly over the bed and tightly “locked” on the bed are those most susceptible to getting a ride in the live well. The first cast needs to be the best cast. Most fish positioned where you can see them won’t give you a second chance”.

Techniques for these finicky predators vary but the lure of choice for most applications seems to be the tube. Even before Denny Brauer made the tube famous at the 1998 Bassmaster Classic Hibdon was pouring and coloring his own and utilizing this tantalizing morsel to attract bedding fish. “Bedding fish cannot stand a tube, in particular if it is scented with BANG garlic attractant or implanted with an Alka Seltzer, and then properly presented lying still or slowly crawled through the bed,” noted the Missouri pro. Some of the most vicious strikes of the year happen while bed fishing”. You may make 50 or more casts to a particular fish and the slightest change like a scent or color will cause it to hit.” Other baits Hibdon has made famous for this type of fishing includes the aptly named “Guido Bug” marketed by Florida plastics manufacturer Gambler, and actually designed by his son and fellow bass pro Dion, the “Bitsy Bacon Rind and the Rapala. The Hibdon 4 and 5 inch Supertube has also gained notoriety on the tournament trail.

"A surface lure like a Rapala carefully twitched or jerked at the right time over the bed can also catch bass this time of year” said Hibdon. “Situations dictate which presentation will work the best. When I am having difficulty actually seeing the fish on the bed might clue me to throw the topwater” Casting may be a bit more spontaneous and pinpoint accuracy isn’t as crucial as when I’m fishing the tube.” Many times bass will attack the topwater from several feet away and movement of the boat should be kept to a minimum. The use of light line and a good spinning rod make the right combination for both the topwater and tube techniques. A good sturdy push pole to move the boat around can be utilized more effectively than a trolling motor and will not spook the fish.” Either leave the motor on all the time or use the push pole but don’t intermittently use the motor” mentioned the wily pro.

Another technique Hibdon swears by is much like the Carolina Rig. Depending on the water depth he will rig a ¾ to 1 oz sinker on a spinning rod followed by a 1-foot leader to a suspending minnow imitation plug. “The bait will suspend over the bed and it drives bass wild. They can’t stand it.” His line of choice is mainly 6,8 or 10 lb Trilene XT Clear.

Remember bass are extremely finicky this time of year and even the angler’s color of clothing could adversely impact his catch. “I would never wear red, yellow or any bright color for sight fishing.” Much like a deer hunter utilizes camouflage clothing to keep his prey from seeing him, the same can be true in clear water. Being a stealth hunter includes all the senses. “Sight, smell and believe me even touch plays a critical role this time of year” notes the seasoned pro. “Some bites from these spawners are almost undetectable and lightning fast reflexes and ultra sharp hooks are crucial.”

“Guido has forgotten more than any of us will ever know about sight fishing and believe me, much of my success with this technique can be directly connected to his ability to teach it as well,” laments television personality and noted sight fishing aficionado Shaw Grigsby. “The information and training Guido has given me in years I have known him has made me a better fisherman and has definitely won me some money along the way.”

“We have more good fishermen today than ever before but at 54 I can still hold my own,” noted the amicable Missouri pro. No one on the BASS trail will question it. The “Father of Sight Fishing” does know best. Hibdons Outdoors

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