When and where do you fish for bass in the spring? The answer to that question depends on what type of water you fish. But in reservoirs, spring bass migrations can be patterned. Here's a primer on these migrations, from Georgia's Tony Couch.
Start of the Migration
In early spring, bass move from deep-water main lake hangouts to main lake points. "Main-lake points are pretty much the first place fish move to," he says. Some of these points might have "boat docks, stump rows -- they'll stop at some kind of structure when moving from one point to the other.
"The fish are looking for the water that warms up a little earlier than the rest," he adds. Areas of the lake with shallow flats will warm up faster."
Suggested techniques:
> On main-lake points try Rapala Shad Raps or other lipless crankbaits, or diving crankbaits, in crawfish or shad colors.
> On secondary points try a Zoom trick worm or lizard. Or if you can see the fish, try pitching a tube.
Moving To the Coves
As the water warms, the bass migrate toward spawning coves, "either by the shoreline or through a little ditch, depending on how deep the reservoir is," Couch says.
In deeper reservoirs he advises looking for migration routes with a depthfinder. "And in shallow reservoirs, look for visual cover. The fish will stop along the way and wait for the conditions to get right. It might be on a blowdown or around some boat docks."
Suggested techniques:
> To catch these migrating bass, Couch advises using the same baits mentioned above as well as a spinnerbait. "In colder water I like a Colorado or Indiana blade in a No. 4 or 5 with a willowleaf (gold-nickel combo) in 3/8-ounce," he says. "If the fish are deep, I might go to 1/2- or 3/4-ounce." If the water is warm, he'll use a double willow blade combination.
Bedding Areas
"As the water warms, each day the fish migrate a little further back into coves and pockets," Couch says. When they reach the bedding areas, "they often like to back up against something whenever possible -- a post, stump or big rock -- so they don't have to guard the bed a full 360 degrees.
Suggested techniques:
> "Start by throwing a Carolina rig," he says. "Try a Zoom Centipede or a 6- inch lizard -- you can't go wrong with green pumpkin. You can also Texas-rig these baits if the reservoir is deeper or rockier."
> Another option is a black/blue jig (3/8-ounce or 1/2-ounce in a deep, clear reservoir) with a Zoom chunk. "Use the jig when they move into coves and pockets," Couch says. "Target visual cover and ditches."
During this time of year "most people fish too fast," he notes. "If you move that bait away from their little area too fast, they won't bite it. You have to slow down -- and I'm not just talking about sight-fishing. In some reservoirs you rarely see them on the bed, so keep your bait in contact with the bottom."
