Spring Bass on the Fly. Here's where to start.

Very often bass are relating to structure in a body of water because it gives them cover and usually holds a variety of food sources. In many cases, bass are not particular about what they eat. If a prey species is available to a bass, it will pounce. Focus your efforts on aquatic and terrestrial structure (trees, rocks, docks, vegetation) and begin by sticking close to the shoreline early in the year. When the water warms up, bass species are typically moving close to shore for spawning activity and to gorge on hapless fry searching for safety.

When you find a spot worth fishing, bring a stout leader to the fight. Bass are not leader shy. Even in clear water, they will attack a fly tied on to heavy shock tippet or leader material. Try 12-20 lb fluorocarbon tippet and adjust (or bring multiple rods) to accommodate different sized flies. I always carry at least three rods equipped with a topwater, subsurface, and deep-diving presentation mix. Estaz buggers, spring craw, perfect poppers, gurglers, clouser minnows, murdich minnow, angel minnow, leech patterns, cactus bass fly…it might be easier to name flies in your box that wouldn’t catch bass. I guarantee most of them will. Especially with smallmouth bass. Feeding studies on the Missouri River have show smallmouth to be one of the most opportunistic feeders, rarely keying in on any one particular food item unless overly abundant. They eat what is around them.

If you have the ability, get in the boat when chasing bass. This could be your buddies 20 ft Alaskan, or your individual kayak/pontoon boat. Being out away from the shoreline makes stealth more of a priority and allows you free range to more shoreline structure than if you were on foot. Of course, being on foot/wading also has its many benefits. It’s just always fun being out in the boat when catching some fish.

When out on the water, watch/listen for fish signals. They can cause quite a racket when they are chasing prey species, especially up near the surface. Birds and other predators can also give away the position of your quarry. Find feeding critters, find bait, find bass. Early mornings on the Missouri River can offer road hunting opportunities by driving around looking for feeding gulls. These gulls follow schools of white bass as they bust shad fry near the surface. There are signals all over if you pay attention.

Finally, early morning and late evening can be great times to catch bass. Some of my best days of bass fishing began before the sun came up as fish were gorging in the predawn darkness. Mid-day fishing can also be very good given certain conditions, so do whatever is best on your home waters. The only other thing would be to pack some gear for other species, as you are likely to run into other predators, carp, panfish that will enhance your day on the water. Hope this helps you out.

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