Good Reading…. Author unknown

For largemouth bass, spring is not a season that begins on the vernal equinox (March 20), but rather when the water temperature rises to about 55 degrees. In the diverse latitudes of the United States, this can be from late January to February in the South, to late June or even July in places like Montana and Alaska. Rising water temperatures bring bass out of their winter torpor and lead them toward a time of feast and sex. This greedy behavior makes them more susceptible to being caught on a well-presented fly.
Spring in our mid-Atlantic region usually arrives in late March or April. The warming water signals the beginning of prespawn activity, which includes migration from deeper winter quarters to the shallows (water six feet deep or less). As the shallows warm, much of the aquatic food chain congregates here to take nourishment.
As the water continues to warm, the early stages of the spawning cycle join food gathering as a primary activity until the water temps hit the mid to high 60 degree range then the need to reproduce becomes the imperative, replacing foraging. Then, bass on the spawning grounds will strike flies more out of irritation and to protect their beds, than from hunger. I do not sight-fish for bass on the spawning beds, but will target areas around the spawning grounds or near staging areas where bass move to prepare for or recover from the spawning process. During these vulnerable stages in the life cycle of gamefishes, it is important to immediately release caught fish. I keep a camera ready and, after landing a fish, can unhook, admire and photograph it all within 30 seconds or less. I recommend not keeping bass in live wells during the spawning season for any reason. Fish thus treated will, in my opinion, not spawn that year, and have a higher chance of becoming diseased and dying before their time.
Once spawning is over, bass will hang around the spawning grounds or move to the nearest breakline, such as a dropoff or deeper line of vegetation, and sulk a while before beginning a feeding binge to regain strength lost in the rigors of reproduction.
By this time, it is usually late May or June in the southern parts of the region, and well into June in more northern reaches. Postspawn behavior begins when water temps reach about 70°, and does not decrease during the night or when cold fronts move through. Spring, regardless of what the calendar says, is now over.
Terrain and Wind Dictate Equipment
Many of our regional lakes and reservoirs can be effectively fished with a 6- or 7-weight rod. Creeks, streams, and coves on lakes and impoundments provide good spawning grounds for the bass and shelter from the spring winds.
Large tidal rivers, however, such as the James, Rappahannock, Potomac, and the Chesapeake Bay’s Eastern Shore rivers, are better fished with heavier rods in the 8- to 9-weight class. Almost constant winds, the fast-moving water during tide changes and the structure-laden terrain of the traditional spawning areas dictate heavier gear.
Teeny Mini Tips, other sink-tip lines and intermediate lines are best for prespawn, spawn and postspawn fishing. Bass are not active on the surface until the baitfish are drawn upward to feed on the plankton and aquatic insects stimulated by rising temperatures. Once the water temperature hits the mid to high 60 degree range, I will try poppers and floater-diver flies on a floating line. More consistent catches, however, will occur deeper in the water column, down to five or six feet. As the submerged vegetation grows, the fish will nestle into it for cover, hang around it to feed, and suspend just above it to warm themselves in the sun while remaining close enough for retreat in case of trouble.
Since most spring largemouth fishing is sub-surface, leaders can be as simple as a three- to five-foot length of 15- to 20-pound mono. I still prefer tapered leaders and use a 7-foot knotless leader that tapers to at least an 8-pound tippet for my 6-weight rig, and at least 10-pounds for my 8- and 9-weights. Where the structure is particularly thick, leaders of 12- to 20-pound test are not too much.
I like to keep the spring fly selection simple. A collection of weighted and unweighted streamers in various sizes and colors, supplemented by some bottom-bouncing flies, are all that is needed. My most consistent producers include Clouser deep minnows (in white-and-chartreuse, sizes 2 to 6); beadhead or epoxy-head Lefty’s deceivers (in green-and-white and blue-and-white); and flies that imitate the ever-successful plastic worm, such as Whitlock’s hare worm and grub, and Hank Roberts’ Leadeye Leech in black and purple. Throw in some woolly buggers in black, olive and chartreuse and the kit is complete.
Killer Springtime Tactics
Presentations during prespawn and spawn should be very slow. Once the fly hits the water, take up slack and let it sink. I find I catch more fish on the initial fall of the fly in the spring than at any other time of the year. If bottom structure allows, slowly bump and bounce the streamer or worm (worm fly, that is) along the bottom. A stout mono or wire weedguard helps. If fish are present, but the fly keeps snagging, speed up the retrieve, keeping the fly just above the weeds, rocks or brush.
On tidal rivers, bass stack-up on flats at the mouth of tributary creeks, in the creeks on stretches where spatterdock grows, and on the main river flats protected by points. Fishing success is best when the tide is ebbing, particularly during the last two hours. The first several hours of the incoming tide is second best.
In moving water, cast up and across current keeping as tight a line as possible by mending, and fish the cast until the line straightens. Make a few strip retrieves, then pick up and cast again. Long casts are usually not necessary, particularly when the water is stained. Fortunately, bass are not usually turned off by dragging flies. On stillwaters, presentations should be to structure on or near spawning flats on the main lake, and in shallow coves that have deeper water nearby. Aquatic vegetation is a bass magnet, and the flats where it grows are often spawning sites. Shallow stump fields and areas near beaver lodges should also be targeted in the spring.
Conventional fishermen have success in the spring with jerk- or stick-baits, such as the Rapala and its many clones. A Dahlberg diver is its fly-fishing equivalent and, particularly in later spring, I like to present a small version (size 4 or 6) on a sink-tip line. The heavier line pulls the floater-diver down and, once the fly soaks up water, it will dive even deeper. As with all flies, keep the hooks barbless and sharp, and set the hook at any interruption in the retrieve.
Spring is a great time to catch lots of quality largemouth black bass. But tread lightly, and be gentle with hooked fish. Immediate release is critical. If we’re careful we can sometimes have our cake and eat it too!