Post Spawn Bassin'

This period is perhaps the worst time of the year for novice bass anglers. By the middle of June, all the fry have hatched and are swimming around in huge schools, numbering in the thousands. It would seem that a bass could not open it's mouth without hundreds of fry swimming down it's throat. This means that the bass in the river have all the food that they could possibly want, without straining to catch it.

Since the fry are so small and offer such limited nourishment, bass normally turn to feeding on crayfish during this period. Lots of large crayfish are found in angler's livewells when the fish are removed. Since this is the food of choice, we anglers should recognize it as such, and present only those baits that resemble crayfish, in areas that are frequented by crayfish. The best of these areas are points, covered with milfoil beds.

After finding a milfoil bed on a point that drops off into deeper water, the angler should try fishing a jig 'n pig in the grass beds. The bait should be cast, flipped or pitched into the grass, where it should be allowed to fall on a fairly taut line. The bait should then be hopped over each clump of milfoil and allowed to fall to the bottom. The strike should come as the bait falls. Linewatching is a must, as strikes are not always felt. If the line moves at all, the hook must be set. Although bass may take baits at any time during the day, best results are normally recorded during the incoming tide.

Anglers should also be on the lookout for spawning carp. When these big fish are spawning in the grass beds, they beat the grass relentlessly, knocking other animal life off the grass stems. Bass know this and follow the carp, feeding on the dislodged residents of the milfoil clumps.

By the first week of July, the gizzard shad fry will have grown enough, in both stature and wisdom, to elude most of the bass. The extra effort required to catch these baitfish, will leave some of the bass hungry most of the time. This period is where the artificial lure comes into it's own. Slow moving plastic baits are easy to catch, provide a good mouthful, and are enticing in their movements. Consequently, bass will take them voraciously.

Plastic baits are best fished around some type of aquatic vegetation or wood cover. Flippin' is probably the better choice of presentation, as the bait can be precisely deposited, noiselessly, right in front of the bass. This type of presentation requires complete concentration, as seldom will the telltale "tap-tap" be felt. The line must be watched at all times. When the line moves, the hook must be set. Sometimes, the bass will inhale the worm and remain stationary, holding the worm in it's mouth. Be attentive when lifting the worm for another flip. The hook should be set anytime the bait feels heavy. It is surprising how many times a fish has the worm in it's mouth without giving any
indication.

When setting the hook, two different methods are normally used. The first is used when flippin' around light cover, such as trees, dock pilings, etc. This method involves dropping the rod tip, engaging the reel, taking up the slack and sweeping the rod tip parallel to the surface of the water. The second method is used in heavy cover, such as brushpiles, bushes, etc. Here, the lure must be presented from directly overhead, straight down. The fish must be pulled out of the cover in the same manner. This means that only a short length of line must be used when flippin'. When the hook set is imminent, the rod tip must be lifted hard, using both hands. This action will lift the fish
clear of the cover. The fish may then be deposited in the boat or allowed to fight in water clear of cover.

Many bass can be caught during this period, but whether you get your share depends on your fishing skills, not luck. Even anglers fishing with live minnows, must select a spot that holds fish. Although articles in outdoor magazines, newspapers, etc. can help to educate anglers, nothing beats experience on the water. Everything must be put into practice before it becomes successful.