Ok, so we all want spring to be here. Not so fast. This first warmup coming off a solid cold winter should have big smallmouth eating like crazy. If...
If you can find them. Still in wintering holes. But...
The slow meltoff has the water a nice green color with about 18" visibility. The rivers are up, the fish can see. Even better, Mr.Smallmouth is hugging bank and hungry.
There might not be a more important time of year to get out and float a string of theoretical wintering holes. With 50F+ promised on Sunday, a crankbait or jerkbait ought to reveal quickly what locations hold fish. Those hungry bronze will reveal themselves quick.
If you fancy yourself a winter smallmouth chaser. This weekend is the perfect time to discover some holes for next winter.
BT,
ReplyDeleteFor me, the best time to search for new wintering areas is the fall. Spring is too volatile with levels and temps.
Once the water temps and levels rise and change, bass are on the move and head into slack areas and current breaks.
I got out twice more last week and got 16 bass and 2 walleye. 13 bass from 12"-16" with a 17"-18" and another 19". Actualy the 18" was the more impressive fish. Very heavy and thick. The two walleye were about 20". Water temps rising from 38 to 43.
PS-The discharge Mag is classic Eric. He has posted some funny stuff over the years.
Kamala
Mark- Sounds like some good fishing.
ReplyDeleteThis last week was a slow melt off here, would have been nice to get out in it a few days, but work comes first... A whole week of high, green stained water. Uuff...
Wish I had March-April off. I know you like topwater, but to me the cold water period is more interesting.
Fall IS a good time. But if you look as every opportunity to find something new... Golden opportunity if you time it right. Amped up, hungry, active smallmouth packed in slack water.
This float found me several new dynamite locations last year: http://smallmouthinyoursoup.blogspot.com/2009/03/smallmouth-season-has-begun-3609-float.html
Caught them right in their wintering areas on the first warm up.
Those wintering areas are slack areas and current breaks usually. Bass do move a lot all winter long within them. Pretty cool.
I was only partly right today, but I stand by the premise.
ReplyDeleteKamala,
ReplyDeleteJust thought I'd say hey since I saw your post. You knew me as Kev-mo on another site a couple years back.
Right now I tend to like spring also for finding winter sites but then I only caught a few fish this winter...