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High
Water Bass
High
water has been the beckoning call for bass fisherman
this spring and there seems to be no end in sight. I
think this is going to make for one of the best fishing
years in a long time. We have been in a drought for
the past two years and a lot of lakes, especially in
the south and southeast have been way down below normal
levels. This has allowed grass and bushes and other
good cover to develop in shallow water. Once the water
came up and flooded these areas it put a lot of nutrients
in the water and gave the bait fish something to forage
on giving the bass a good ambush point and plenty to
eat.
This
is definitely spinnerbait time. My first option would
be to put my Motorguide 109 down and try to cover as
much water as possible. Start in the back of creeks
or in major spawning flats and throw a willowleaf Edgebuster,
chartreuse/white with one nickel and one brass blade
size #4 or #5. Use 20 lb Stren Extra Tough and don't
be afraid to throw into the thickest cover. One thing
to look for in the flats there should be grass under
the water and this is a prime place to catch a big bass.
If
this isn't working my next option is to find buck brush,
willows or lay downs and flip a Zoom Brush hog, green
pumpkin with the tail dipped in chartreuse Spike-it.
Again heavy line and a 3/8 oz.weight and try to get
the Hog in the thickest part of the cover. Be sure to
use plenty of Jack's Juice in crawfish and I have found
a lot of times it's best to make at least three flips
to each cover you fish.
If
this doesn't work, my next option is to stay outside
the cover and throw a shad colored medium running Suddeth
crankbait. This pattern can be good especially in the
back portion of coves that have a channel running into
them. For some reason in the spring the bait fish like
to follow these channels and scatter into the cover.
If you have high water remember there will be cover
that you can't see out from the visible cover.
Last
I would go to a Carolina-rigged Zoom lizard. In the
spring I would use a 36 inch leader with a 2/0 Mustad
J-bend style hook and a Lindy No Snagg rattlin' weight.
Fishing in water two to ten feet. Secondary points in
the creeks seem to be a prime place to start. Big bass
hate lizards in the pre-spawn.
One
other tip for you. Try the new power handles from Gator
Grip. They give you so much more cranking power when
playing big fish and are very comfortable to use. For
more information contact Joe Landwerlen at Gator Grip-317-398-6281
Good
luck on your next outing, and try a pair of Woo Shoes,
you won't regret it.
May
God bless you and take a kid fishing!
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