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Shallow, Summertime Bass
by Kevin Patton Summertime bass fishing often mandates deep-water techniques such as worm fishing, Carolina-rigging, dropshotting, and casting deep-diving crankbaits. Wouldn't it be nice to fish somewhere where the bass can't suspend in 20-feet of water or hug the bottom in depths of 30 feet or more? Peorian Kevin Huprich and I headed to Spring Lake near Manito August 11 for some shallow water bass fishing. The lake is a popular Spring destination for bass fishermen, but many anglers steer clear of it during summer due to the abundant and often overwhelming vegetation. Spring Lake has the advantage that fish can't hide out on remote ledges, deep points, or in creek channels that may be hundreds of yards offshore and take you hours to locate. At this lake you know fish can't go far since the water is less than 10 feet deep.
Yes, there are vast areas that are covered with nearly impenetrable mats of lily pads, coontail moss, and vegetation in which bass can elude your lures. Fishing these areas can be frustrating and hard on equipment like outboards and trolling motors. But, there are areas that remain open, especially in the south lake which has a higher percentage of open water than the north lake. During Spring, before the vegetation gets up, wood is a prime cover for many hungry, pre-spawn bass. Wood and weeds together is prime cover almost anytime. But, during summer vegetation is king, whether it is the deep weed edge in large reservoirs or shallow matted vegetation in lakes like Spring Lake. All the elements are there to attract game fish. Weeds are where shade, oxygen, and many baitfish are located, so bass are going to be attracted to these areas. This is where many summer bass live, whether we like it or not. Everything in the Tackle Box When we started fishing at 6:30, the water temperature was only in the mid-80's due to a relatively mild summer and recent cool nights. We tried the typical early morning presentations with topwater lures and spinnerbaits. Eventually, we tried shallow-running crankbaits, swim baits, jigs, plastic worms, and Texas-rigged Senkos. When the open water techniques didn't coax any bass from their weedy home, we settled in to pitching jigs and soft plastic baits into the thick mats of weeds and lily pads. Again, we had no takers. At noon, the boat deck was strewn with every imaginable lure and color of lure. It seemed that nothing was going to work.
We had fished the east and north sides of the lake with no results, so we headed to the west shore. Here the bank is lined with rip rap along the access road that leads to the boat ramp. Before heading to our new spot, we tied on another set of lures. One of them would change the day for us. We had tried the lure earlier, but not in this color nor with this presentation. The Wacky Rig The lure that saved the day was a five-inch, Yamamoto Senko that was black with large blue flecks. Instead of being Texas-rigged, it was rigged wacky style. This particular version of a wacky rig includes a black, rubber "O" ring or washer and a weedless 4/0 hook. The O-ring is used to keep the bait from tearing. Thread the O-ring on the Senko, locating it in the middle of the bait. One with a 3/8-inch inner diameter seems to fit best. Open the weedguard, run your hook point between the O-ring and the bait, and close the weedguard. No weight is used. We were pitching the bait for better accuracy, but casting it may help get the bait farther. Using a heavy hook aids in pitching the bait, as does a good, freespooling baitcasting reel and a long rod with a limber tip. Spinning equipment will definitely improve your casting distance. Finally, Some Biters We had a couple bass bite a small, yellow/blue Bomber Square A along the road, but when we started pitching the Senkos it was as though somebody had rang the dinner bell.
There was just the right set of wind and water conditions along that shore to attract some feeding bass. The wind had shifted from the north to the northeast and was blowing onto the bank. I'm usually a big proponent of fishing windy banks and this time it was the place to be. Although we didn't land any huge bass, we caught at least a dozen 14 to 15-inch bass using this presentation. However, the bass were a bit finicky in the way they wanted the bait presented. Nearly all the fish bit the bait only on the initial fall. Once you started to work the bait horizontally back to the boat, they weren't interested. So the next time you need a break from the deep-water, summertime bass fishing routine, try a weedy, shallow lake. There will be days when you have to dig them out of the matted vegetation. If you're lucky as we were, you might find a few biters in relatively open water. Either way, at least you'll know that the bass can't be far. |
