Let's go fishin'! with Yamaha Fishing Pro Brent Chapman
'Springtime technique'
Late winter and early spring bring some of the most exciting fishing of the year. Along with the warming of
the air comes the warming of the water. This means it is time to break out a crankbait and head to a clear water
reservoir. Some of the best clear water reservoirs can be found in the Midwest where cranking for pre-spawn bass
is one of the most effective ways to find bass and catch the fish of a lifetime.
From February to early May, bass enter a pre-spawn pattern and start their migration from the main river channels
to the spawning areas. Generally, bigger fish tend to be the first ones to move. The fish that are up shallow have
already migrated and are usually very active. Some excellent places to begin the search include bluff ends, channel
swings, main lake and secondary points.
My Yamaha VMAX outboard is perfect for going from point to point on a big lake. It has plenty of power to get
me to the next fishing hole in a hurry and its fuel efficiency allows me to run all day without stopping to gas
up.
The warming water starts bass into their springtime ritual of feeding heavily on crawfish. This feeding frenzy
makes crawfish-colored crankbaits extremely effective. Three of the best colors I have found are in red, green
and brown crawfish patterns.
A suspending lure is easy to throw and produces the best results. It also allows you to slow down and even stop
your retrieve.
The retrieval can be executed a variety of ways. This bait is effective whether you simply cast it out and reel
it back, go at different speeds or use a stop-and-go retrieve to allow the bait to suspend. This lure works well
because it stays in the strike zone longer. Change your patterns and presentation along with varying your retrieve
until the fish tell you what they want.
To get the best action from your lure, I recommend using a 7' fiberglass rod along with a slow-retrieve reel.
Line size depends on the depth of the fish and the amount of cover, generally 8- to 12-lb. test works great.
Even if you have not had the chance to fish one of these great clear water reservoirs, don't be afraid to try
this technique at your favorite lake. And don't wait until the weather starts to warm, the fish are biting way
before it's T-shirt weather.
For more fishing tips and information on Yamaha, visit http://www.yamaha-motor.com/.
