01
May
Michigan bass guide Chris Noffsinger tempts smallmouth early each spring using suspending jerkbaits and a twitch technique that has netted him bronze from waters across the Midwest. First is water levels.
Smallmouth bass that may be feeding in 8 to 12 feet of water during the early morning could be in 20 to 50 feet of water during mid-day.
Early spring smallmouth bass fishing. The initial movement often catches a fishs attention but this time of year the bass may not swim over at 100 mph to crush the lure if you continue moving it. Early spring right after ice-out is the best time of the year to catch trophy smallmouth bass. Here are the best tips baits and tackle for catching big spring bass.
Michigan bass guide Chris Noffsinger tempts smallmouth early each spring using suspending jerkbaits and a twitch technique that has netted him bronze from waters across the Midwest. He begins fishing each season when he notes area water temps approaching the. Smallmouth bass that may be feeding in 8 to 12 feet of water during the early morning could be in 20 to 50 feet of water during mid-day.
Source One of the best feelings when we go out in early spring is having a chill in the air as the sun is coming up. But successful early spring fishing for warm water species smallmouth bass in particular requires deliberate planning and execution. This week I sat down with Michigan smallmouth guru Mike Schultz to learn how to start putting fat bronzebacks in the boat before the trees even start to leaf.
Here are Mikes Top 5 moves for getting your bronze on in the early season in his own. Grubs can be fished on deep 18 to 25 foot main lake flats and shallower bay flats in 8 to 15 foot range as well as uphill or downhill on the major breakline where smallies typically stage during transition. Now to the critical retrieve for early spring.
Fish the twister-tail grub like a hair jig in cold water. A grub retrieve imitates a preyfish. Contrary to what most guys do Ill also fish lipless crank baits with a fast retrieve.
When the water is over 50 they will chase a fast moving bait. You can cover a lot of water to locate fish. Early in the year when the water is still in the lower 50s I find them schooled up.
Catch 1 and dont leave there are probably a lot more close by. You can fish along the breaks or up on the flats the key is getting them to show themselves Key Lures. How to get the smallies to show themselves is pretty basic for VanDam.
I tend to stick with three lures in the spring when Im searching for smallmouth bass VanDam said. Vertical jigging with 34-ounce slab spoons or bumping tube baits or finesse jigs along the bottom are effective tactics for catching wintertime smallies. Where To Find Smallmouth Bass.
In early spring prespawn smallmouth move to secondary points on their migration to spawning areas in pea gravel coves or gravel flats. The best baits for prespawn smallies. From ice out until post spawn these five techniques are deadly on smallmouths.
Swim baits are another lure that excels in early season. Their swim baits fish really well especially in cold water in early spring. Smallies seem to relish topwater flies and any lingering fish can be tempted to come up to grab a fly from the surface.
Size 2-8 flies will cover you well. Spring smallmouth bass can offer some of the best fishing of the year. There are lots of big fish around and they put up an awesome fight on light tackle.
Smallmouths by the Calendar. The author learned about the effects of wind and catching fish on the Great Lakes from being a charter boat captain for 25 years. Bass anglers in the Great White North cant wait to get on the water once the ice melts.
Smallmouth bass fishing in early spring is all about how when and where to locate the fish. At the end of winter smallies may still be reluctant to move shallow. As the water temperature nears the mid 40s most smallies will remain in deep water but will begin moving towards shallow water without making much of a depth change.
One of the best aids for locating early spring smallmouth bass is a map of the lake and a quality fish finder. Begin by searching for areas that are deep in the 40 to 60 foot range and work outward from these holes until you locate where the underwater terrain works up towards a flat. Now that we have lost an hour of sleep and the days are getting longer its time to get after some early spring smallmouth bassOne of the things to remember is that fish are cold-blooded and when water temps are cool warmer water.
Luckily were explaining the movement in each one of these fisheries today. As your fish begin to move you need to understand their ultimate goal is transition toward spawning flats. With that in mind you can identify the nearest spawning grounds to where your fish have been then identify the key spots along the way the fish will stop on to feed.
3 basic bass fishing location strategies. Is this a transition area. While early spring bass fishing in cold water bass will be moving to and from spawning flats.
As the sun changes position and continues to warm the water bass should eventually move through locations such as the mouth of a creek. What if you are just catching small bass. You will need to move to deeper water to catch the females during this phase.
On your next early spring smallmouth bass fishing adventure check the water temperature consider these 3 phases and you will increase your chances of locating those pre-spawn smallies. Finding Spring River Smallmouth Bass. This is probably the hardest part of spring fishing.
There are several factors that make this tough. First is water levels. When water levels are rising from spring rain or snow melt bass will move out of current and locate themselves close to banks and protective cover.
Smallmouth fishing in the early spring can be extremely rewarding. Our own Larry Ladowski along with Mark Copley with Strike King Lures tackle some cold wat. Spring and Fall are two of the best times of the year to catch giant smallmouth bass.
In this detailed video host Colin McKeown discusses the key fly pattern.