Now that March is upon us, lots of folks
will begin the spring ritual of chasing after bass in their favorite
lake. Early
spring fishing can be quite different from the rest of
the year due to cold-water
temperatures.
Recently, I experimented with a new technique
and a new lure for two very different approaches to catching sluggish
spring
bass. First, I cast a hard jerkbait along bluffs to target suspended
bass. While this is nothing new, I know, the lure I used certainly
was.
Recently, I was introduced to a unique
new lure company known
as Spro. Anglers, who are not familiar with Spro, need only
know that it is an offshoot company of Gamakatsu. Obviously,
the
Gamakatsu Company
knows a thing or two about producing quality hooks and has
entered the lure market with some new ideas.
The lure I was using
was
a Spro Prime Minnow, a hard plastic jerkbait that suspends or
slowly floats
up when stopped. Available in traditional black/chrome, black/gold,
blue/chrome, as well as a Rainbow trout and an iridescent
white (shad) colors. I prefer the shad color, but would like to see
a clown
type
pattern introduced. I rig this bait on a
6’6” baitcast rod and a Daiwa TDS reel spooled with Bass Pro XPS Fluorocarbon
line in ten-pound test. Since it was black nickel Gamakatsu hooks, there is nothing
left to do but cast it out!
Search out bluffs, channel swings and
deep docks, where bass typically suspend during cooler water months.
Make long casts, twitch
the Spro bait down, and then leave it alone for 5-30 seconds. Reel
up slack and repeat. Occasionally it requires extreme patience and
longer pauses to be successful.
It helps to have something to do to pass the time. I’m often tempted into eating
a LaMar’s Long John and hope that I’ll hook into a nice long bass.
The other
method I’ve been using is the drop shot technique. Unfortunately this involves
the use of spinning gear, which I despise. Basically, the set-up consists of
a 6-7 foot spinning rod (I use Team Daiwa), quality light line, such as the XPS
Fluorocarbon in 8 lb. size and a small bait style hook. Since I believe in simplicity,
I use the pre-rigged drop shot rigs from Gamakatsu. They are a piece of mono
to which a quality hook is pre-tied leaving a tag end to attach to the weight.
The upper end is tied to the main line.
I use the XPS Fluorocarbon for the deceased
visibility and awesome sensitivity it offers. Normally I attach
a 3/16-ounce bell type sinker to the tag end. My lure choice is one
of the new Culprit drop
shot baits. These are available from Bass Pro by themselves or
in a kit form, complete with sinkers and Gamakatsu hooks.
To rig
the bait, simple nose hook
it about ¼ inch into the worm. Cast out and allow it to sink to the bottom, then
simple keep the line taunt and slowly retrieve. I was amazed that with the XPS
line I could feel that little sinker on the bottom in forty-foot depths! Believe
me, you can easily distinguish strikes even with gloves on.
Culprit designed
the new Drop Shot baits with help from Japanese engineers
and anglers. There are some very unique colors, such as a smoke with
purple flake, gold hues and
of course traditional greens. I really like a color known
as “muddy water.”
Next
time you see my Procraft out in deep water, don’t worry. I’m not broken down;
I’m just practicing these deep-water methods of catching bass.
