By Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Growing up I fished Nebraska’s interstate lakes, a lot. My Dad and I occasionally fished on those waters out of a square-stern canoe. Invested a lot more time in a float tube or just wading. A number of those pits offered some really good bass, most of them largemouths, but smallies were my favorite.
Life and employment has planted me farther east in the state. In spite of that, you better believe I still fish interstate lakes every chance I get. Earlier this summer, I had a couple of evenings to return to some of my roots. Those sessions were a replay of long past days gone by, and a reminder that the same old presentations and tactics still work. . . .
With the heat of summer, black bass, largemouths and smallmouths, are species that I am more likely to target. Those warmwater fish are very much active during the summer and they are tolerant of handling with warm water temperatures. Nevertheless, as is typical during the “dog days”, they usually are more challenging to catch. Early and late in the day, and perhaps after dark, are prime times when those predators will be mobile, agile and hostile–more likely to be caught. Conveniently, those are also the times when a person can escape the heat and actually enjoy an hour or two of fishing.
A couple key things I have learned about bass in small waterbodies, especially pits: First, they usually are not in the middle of the “lake”. Prime structure and abundant prey are usually shallow. An occasional cast out into open water might be a good idea, but most casts should be right along shore. Secondly, the bass are very much aware of their environment and your incursion into it. Stealth and long casts pay!
With some experience, high percentage spots easily can be identified. When I see one, I get a little jittery. It helps to take a deep breath, slow down and sneak into casting position.
Accuracy counts. A long cast putting the bait on target will get a bass’s attention. Remember, they know your bait is there. Often, when hearing the splash, they will swim over to investigate. What you do next depends on the bait being fished. During the summer, at prime time, I will be trying to get them to eat a topwater! Love to let that bait sit, ripples fading away. Then, give it a twitch, one little twitch. You gotta believe that bass is sitting right there staring at your bait. When it moves in a pathetic, helpless, crippled fashion, it is going to get bit.
And you are going to be young again.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Gotta give credit. . . the title of this blog popped into my head, the lyrics of a Talking Heads song, Once in a Lifetime.