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April 2008 Newsletter

LATE WINTER/EARLY SPRING LAKE SMALLMOUTH BASS   As winter loosens it’s icy grip and daytime temperatures start to moderate into the upper 40 degree range, many anglers start to dream about spring bass fishing. Most anglers miss some of the best smallmouth angling of the year for monster smallmouth bass as the egg bearing females begin moving up on rocky ledges and high spots w/mixed rock compositions to begin feeding for the spawn. They  start to feed as water temperatures move into and stabilize in the 42-44 degree range. The best rocky high spots and ledges rise to within 12 feet of the lakes surface. This is you chance to battle with some 4-5 pound smallmouth, providing you dress warmly, know where to find them and use a few successful lures.   The Sonar Blade bait is my no#1 choice for early spring smallies. I prefer the 3/4 oz models for lake fishing. Most bass hit them on the fall but smallies are notorious for "pushing them" when you drag-them across the bottom with slight wiggles in 40+ degree water. The blades will lie on the bottom between pauses and at times, I think this makes them hit when you slowly move the blade forward. Smallmouth can be difficult to hook in cold water when the are nose-bumping the blades on the slow drag and pause retrieve. Other times, the bass are-on when you pick-up the blade from the initial drop.   I recommend using braided line attached to a leader of 12lb. P-line fluorocarbon leader (joined w/ a double uni-knot) and a G-loomis IMX 6' light ,fast action-#CR 721 casting rod for sensitivity. You must be able to feel every "wiggle'' of the blade bait to be highly successful. Many times the "hit" is transmitted with a slight "push'' or a brief stopping/elimination of the pulsating, vibrating feeling. Remember: fish these blades as you would a slow pull & drop retrieve w/a jig.   Here are pics of the Sonar Blade baits I manufacture. Please note the round bend, short shank, needle-point hooks (3x strong on split rings)   THE FLOAT ‘n FLY My #2 choice is the Float’n Fly. All serious cold-water lake smallmouth fishermen should learn this deadly technique. The Float'nFly is a very interesting and intriguing artificial bait to fish. The more you fish it, the more you learn. If you really want to learn the FnF technique, take all other lures, rod & reels out of your boat and fish nothing but the FnF all day. Here's some tips based on personal experience.     1-Spinning tackle,6-8 pd test-6-7' light to med. light action rod        A- tie a single uni-knot/bobber stop w/17 lb.test line. Pull both ends up tightly w/pliers.        B- Slide a round glass or plastic faceted red bead onto and up the line.        C- slide a ¾”-1” diameter slip-bobber onto and up the line.        D- Tie on a 1/8 oz. fly.        E- Pinch-on a small bb removable split –shot 12” up from the float’n fly.             This will help the fly sink to the pre-determined depth and keep the end of the slip bobber from jamming into the fly eye.        F- Set the bobber stop at 11-12' as a starting point and adjust as necessary to keep the FLY suspended off of the lake bottom.   NOTE: I tie my own bobber stops using 17 lb. mono and a single uni-knot( the plastic ones break too many times in cold water temps. 2-If your slip bobber does not stand straight up, your bait is on the bottom and you need to set the stop shallower (you want it suspended 1 ft from the bottom-minimum) 3-Start with 1/8 oz Ball head jigs finished with marabou and/or craft hair(1/0-2/0 needle -point hooks) 4-Basic color patterns: White, white chartreuse, grey,Lt. Blue/char.pink nose, Chartreuse/white 5-Fish rockpiles, points and humps in 12-25 ft.of water (known "smallie" hangouts off-shore) 6-The retrieve: My buddy and I have developed a routine that has been quite successful..it goes like this, Cast out, wait for the slip-bobber to stand straight up-start a series of short wrist jerks tipping the the top of the bobber over to the waters surface and then back up.3-6 jerks, then pause. 9-We have witnessed smallies hit during the series of jerks as well as the pause. I have seen smallmouth bass  play with the FnF like it was live bait and then pull the float completely under the surface.   Experiment and develop your own successful routine / retrieve   10-I usually start fishing the FnF when fall water temps decline to 55 degrees. 11-This technique favors "smallies" but will also catch nice largemouth bass. 12-Have your drag set properly-you will catch 4 lb.plus "smallies" fishing the FnF 13-I prefer a light breeze (5-10mph), as wave action will give the FnF action sitting still 14-You'll have all your favorite rock-piles and humps to yourself as most anglers don't fish this cold-weather technique   NOTE: Watch the slip bobber like a hawk when it’s @ rest, standing straight up. Many times, I’ve seen the float go horizontal on the pause which indicates a smallie has taken the fly and is swimming at you. Pick-up the slack and set the hook immediately!   Here is a pic of the productive fly’s   THE END