Sight Fishing for Smallmouth Bass

I am often asked when the bass spawn takes place and always have a smart remark for an answer. Something about not being able to see the future very well. This year though the right answer is this coming week. I fished on a local lake this morning and had some very enjoyable smallmouth fishing.

This lake has crystal clear water. You would think that would be a real advantage for the anglers being able to see the beds, that the male fish have scooped in the sand and are starting to defend from all comers. Not to mention that you could frequently see the fish swimming around on patrol. But the clear water made it necessary to see the fish at a good distance, make a good presentation on very light line and even then many of the fish ran at the plug or fly and stopped, bumped it or were hooked briefly and got off.

Still a couple dozen fish were brought to the boat, mostly smallmouth bass but two largemouths and a white perch to round it out. The largest fish weighing three and a half pounds or so. I have to admit it was too much fun and I did not want to quit when it was time to go. I certainly hope that I have another client willing to make that trip in the next week or so.

Tomorrow is a nature exploration trip on a river I do not normally paddle and a stretch I have not been on in over twenty years. I am looking forward to it.

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