Springtime Top Water Baits
by Ken Sturdivant
Southern Fishing Schools Inc.
Nothing beats a top water strike from any
bass, spotted, largemouth or smallmouth. Bass strikes are heart stopping
and the bass can weigh
from one pound to ten pounds. Once the water temperatures rise go above
65 degrees, bass complete the spawn and they are hungry. There
are several fun ways to catch top water bass both day and night.
The Bass Pro Shops Enticer buzz bait is a lure that requires only a little
practice and yet it can produce exciting results. During the day cast an
all white buzz bait right on the bank. Early and late the bass move shallow
and strikes will occur within ten feet of the bank. But never give up
on a buzz bait even in the middle of the day. The bigger bass feed in the
middle of the day.
Stick baits offer a wide variety of sizes, styles and shapes and they are
great at fooling bass. If the water is clear use a blue, silver or black
combination. If the water is stained or muddy, use chartreuse, blacks,
red and greens in any set of combinations.
Stick baits are easy to fish because even if the bait is dead still on
the water, a bass will still strike. Try top water baits with short jerks,
swim the lure or just twitch the rod. Any action or no action at all
depends on how the bass want the lure. Just experiment.
The Zoom trick worm is another easy bait to fish with. This bait is a
7 inch soft plastic worm can be fished with a spinning reel, eight
pound test line and a 2/0 offset hook. This bait is fished with no weight and
is
very effective on the bass. Let the bait swim on the surface, let it
sink three to six feet deep or drop it to the bottom.
Trick worms come in a lot of colors and select two bright colors like
white or bubble gum. Then get two dark colors, June Bug and all black.
Start out fishing the bright baits in clear water to learn how it works.
Then in dirty water go to the dark colors.
A trick worm is easy to use. Cast it to and around any bank structure
and work the bait across the surface for a fast strike early and late.
Wood, docks, and even points hold bass that the trick worm will fool.
