During the spring, bass fishermen can have a blast fishing in shallow water. Not only can you catch some big bass in water less than 5 feet deep, but you can actually see these fish in the shallows. Two of the most important things that you can do to increase your odds of catching bass while sight fishing is to get a good pair of polarized sunglasses and a good trolling motor. No matter how well you think you can see through the water without glasses, you will see more fish and more importantly, you will spot them faster with polarized sunglasses. Polarized sunglasses help to block the light that is reflected by the light's surface, which allows you to see through the water better. Make sure you have a trolling motor to help you cruise along the shallows quietly. In some fishing tournaments, there have been some bass fishermen that have started using long poles like you would see among saltwater flats fishermen. These poles aren't necessary, but they will help you move along the shallows making less noise. For most circumstances, a trolling motor will work just fine.
Let's take a look at some of the other factors that will affect your sight fishing. In clear water, you will be able to see almost everything in the shallows, however, bass will able to see you as well. In very clear water, there are times that I will see some bass cruising along the shoreline or sitting on a bed. If I can't get a fish to bite, I will mark these spots with my gps and come back to them later. Sometimes 10 to 20 minutes is long enough. I have also come back in an hour or so, later in the evening, next morning or even at night. During this pre-spawn to spawning period, the fish that you spot throughout the day should be holding on these spots for a while. If you come back to them later in the day or over the next couple of days, you should have a better chance of catching them. When you come back to these spots, don't try to spot the fish. Stay farther away and cast to where you think the fish are. This will increase your hookups because they can no longer see your boat.
In darker water, it becomes very tough to find fish. I have found that you can get a lot closer to the fish in darker water, but it is going to take a lot longer to see the fish. Under these conditions, you are going to need some sunlight to help you see some fish. In darker water, I will cruise along the shoreline and try to watch for the wake of a bass chasing a bluegill out of the bed. You may not see the actual fish, but you can see the wake and this gives you an idea of where the bed is located.
As far as lures go, plastic worms, jigs, salmanders, plastic snakes and even top water lures will work. There are so many options, but it is tough to beat a live nightcrawler or live leech in the spring.
To find more information, take a look at our bass fishing page.
Article provided by Kevin Sewell at Ultimate Fishing Site
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