SPRING BASSIN
by Danuel Bruno

As the year 2000 is now a part of history, 2001 brings on the season we all know as spring. As water temperatures start to rise, bass notice the warming trend and start the yearly journey towards their birthplace, for the essence of their very existence, spawning. The primal instinct of bass causes them to move from deep to shallow water to prepare for this annual event. With the water temperatures ranging from the low 40’s to the high 50's, bass start to stage and prepare to find the sacred area to continue the lifeline. The majority of anglers who catch keeper bass on a consistent basis, aren't just lucky. They are using the right bait, at the right time, with proper equipment, knowledge of the water they are fishing, and skill.

In Indiana to be successful in the spring, you must find staging fish. To start, look for long points, drop off's, coves, breaklines, mouths of creeks, and all the way to the back ends of creeks. Concentrate on water from 4 to 8 feet, and from 10 to 12 or 15 feet. Prime locations to look for will have deep water close to shallow, and an abundance of structure, such as wood, or grass running parallel to shallow water. Also look for areas protected from prevailing winds, such as tree lined coves.

A good way to catch these springtime lunkers is to throw medium to deep diving crankbaits on the deep breaklines, anywhere from 8 to 14 feet, and lipless crankbaits on the shallow breaklines. These are 2 great reaction baits that will assist in covering a lot of water quickly. Once you have found staging bass, slow your presentation down and work the area thoroughly, using a3/8-ounce jig and pig, or the bait I prefer, a 6 inch White Hologram colored Flappin Shad by Gambler worms, thrown on a 4/0 Gamakatsu straight shank hook. Work the bait slowly, and steadily.

Now a lot of anglers like to throw spinnerbaits during this time of year. If this sounds like you, then I would suggest using a 3/8-ounce Ti-Classic by Manns Bait company, with tandem blades. The colors I prefer, would be Blue glimmer, white and chartreuse, or silver shiner. This is a great bait especially when fishing shallow. Remember that big baits, catch big bass.

You must also use the proper equipment to successfully land these spring lunkers. Use medium heavy to heavy action rods, baitcasting or spinning reels capable of holding 12 to 20 pound mono, or copolymer line. For a dependable rod, Grandt rods Pro series is the best on the market, with sensitivity, and backbone all rolled into one package, and Shimano's Calais, or Chronarch baitcasting reels are the best that money can buy.

Spring requires a different type of strategy for bass fishing more then any other time of the year. At no other time of the year will you face such adverse, and changing conditions, that will dictate how, where you fish and what types of baits you will use. Be sure to remain versatile, and open-minded, and you may catch the bass of a lifetime. Be sure to practice catch and release. Besides a picture lasts longer, and this will ensure bass for the future generations to come.

Donuel E. Bruno