Things Are Looking Up

OK folks, the spawn is over. Bass are not going to be locked onto small pieces of real estate that they are willing to defend to the bitter end. That's right anglers, bass for the most part will return to their stealth lifestyles and we will need to resort to putting together good old fashion patterns that rely on an understanding of what motivates bass during the late Spring and early Summer.

Fear not, however, things are looking up. While a bass may not be tuned into defending a nest, they are now going to be tuned into eating and just plain being their mean old selves. While the bass were "super aggressive" while they were on the nests, the strike zone was very small and the presentation needed to be pin point as a bass would lose interest when the perceived threat to the nest had passed. Now, while the bass may be less aggressive, they still like to eat and when on the prowl for food, the bass is often willing to travel a greater distance to strike our lures, thus the strike zone becomes much larger.

Things are looking up. Many bass that were relating to beds in shallow water are still there and now they are relating to clouds of fresh hatched bass fry. The larger adult male bass will position themselves below the school of fry looking toward the surface and will strike other creatures and lures that pose a threat to the little ones. During the spawn, the bass' attention was looking down making sure the nest was safe. Now the positioning of the bass is different, it is much more aware and interested in what is taking place above.

This new attention opens an entirely new realm of lure presentations for us. Suspending rip baits and top water lures that can be worked over or near clouds of fry will almost certainly get the attention of bass that are "looking upward."

 Things are looking up. Bluegill, Brim and other small pan fish are moving into the shallows to begin their own spawning cycle. Just as post spawn bass are beginning to prowl for food, these small "bite size" morsels will come along and keep many bass in the shallows and you guessed it, keep their attention focused upwards.

Things are looking up. Remember the fry? As they get larger, they also become a potential food source and yes, they also live in the upper sections of the water column.

Things are looking up. Free swimming schools of bait fish, such as Threadfin Shad soon will make their appearance to shallow water. When largemouth bass engage these small, fast swimming creatures, they often hunt in large groups called "wolf packs." Bass will work themselves into a feeding frenzy which can push its way to the surface allowing an angler to have a spectacular day, if he or she is prepared for this quick developing action.

Things are looking up. Yes, things literally are looking up. Reaction lures typically work better at this time in part because of the bass' willingness to chase down meals. The best times of the day for top water action will be in the morning hours before the bright sunshine sends bass deep into cover or to deeper water and late in the afternoon when direct sun light is fading and bass feel like they are not in the spot light. Cloudy days will prolong the top water action as without the bright sun, bass will feel less vulnerable in the shallows and will continue to enjoy the feeling of stealth for longer periods of time.

Sure fishing will be different, but it can good just the same. If you find yourself a bit depressed because bass are less predictable. If the post spawn blues have got you down. Cheer up. You can fish a little faster, cover more water and best of all, you can throw those top water lures. Yes, things certainly are looking up.

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