Bass on Hook is Supported by our readers. As an Amazon Associate We earn commissions from qualifying purchases. For more informtion read our Amazon Affiliate Disclosure and Affiliate Disclosure Policies.

Springtime Bass, Doing Their Thing

By Tom Lester Ⅱ

I suppose the bass have finally figured out that spring is here and it is time to go shallow.

It seems like we humans have been experiencing spring-like conditions for several weeks, but the bass have been waiting and now is the time to get out there and catch em.

The spawn is to bassfishermen/women what the rut is to deer hunters.

It is the time of year the "big uns" become more vulnerable than any other time of the year.

Recently, Benji Hohenberger and I headed over to pre-fish a tournament at Cedar Creek Lake.

After fishing for an hour or so, we headed into a small creek looking for bass and boy was I surprised.

The water was just clear enough to spot a nice bass on the bed with the help of my Solar Bat polarized glasses.

High quality sunglasses, like the Solar Bat's are a must when bed fishing.

They help you see through the water's glare enabling you to spot bass on their spawning nest.

Upon further inspection in our small creek we found several more bass protecting their nest.

I love to sight fish for bass more than any other type of fishing.

How To Fish Bedding Bass In Small Creeks

At this point we pitched lizards and small worms onto the nest.

Being careful not the spook the fish, we would actually pitch past the nest and drag the Kalin's watermelon lizard or Western worm in green back onto the nest in front of the fish.

Once the bait was on the nest we shook the line to make the bait move a little and aggravate the bass to the point that they wanted it off of the nest.

They would pick it up in their mouth to move it and BOOM, we'd set the hook and the rest is in the pictures.

We even caught the same bass two different times.

I caught it first and 20 minutes later Benji caught it off of the same nest.

I like the Kalin's worms and lizards because they are packed with salt which the bass find irresistible.

Once they bite they hold on longer than with other plastic baits I've used.

Proper rod, reel and line selection is also important when bed fishing.

The clarity of the water you are fishing will greatly dictate the size line you need to use.

Bedding fish are spooky and in clear water the chances of hooking up with these fish are less than when they are in murkier water.

Proper gear selection is important.

Using The Right Gear When Bed Fishing For Bass

In clear water I use P Line's CX fluorocarbon coated line.

It is virtually invisible underwater making it difficult for bass to detect.

In all other conditions I use P Line's CXX line.

It is limp and spools off of the reel smoothly making accurate pitching much easier to do.

When bed fishing it is imperative that your casting be on target to increase your chances of hooking up with the bass.

A good medium-heavy to heavy action rod is a good choice.

I prefer my Abu Garcia 6'6" med/heavy action Conolon rod with my Moorum reel, also by Abu Garcia.

With precision casting being a necessity when bed fishing, I go with the smoothest rod and reel combo in my arsenal.

In "gin clear" water like that often found at Lake Whitney during the spring, I use my Ultra cast spinning reel mounted on a 6'6" medium action Conolon rod rigged with 6-10 lb. P Line.

It makes for a lethal combination for clear water bassin'.

If sight fishing is not for you, try chunking spinnerbaits along the bank.

Cover lots of water and you will probably catch fish.

I like bright colors in the spring.

Look for 60-68 degree water and watch for movement along the shoreline or for the bass themselves.