Light Tackle Fishing for Winter Bass
Some anglers live by the old adage, “It takes a big lure to catch a big fish.” This isn’t always accurate, especially during the cold winter months. Sure, you might lose a few fish that might have been landed on heavier tackle, but experience has shown that one can often catch 10 times more fish by using light tackle, and you can land any size fish if you take your time. Light tackle means different things to different people. Here is my take on the how to and benefits of light tackle fishing, the biggest of which is catching more bass! During winter and hot summer months, many lakes and ponds tend to become gin-clear, making it easier for fish to spot heavy lines. The four and six-pound lines, in most cases, are nearly invisible to fish, even in very clear water. When employing light line, you must have the proper rod and reel combination. The reel must have a drag system that works well and does not freeze up. This is essential because a big fish can easily break the light line if the drag doesn’t work properly. Your rod needs a good soft tip, while yet having a strong backbone for the hookset. My light tackle/line lures include Rapala Shad Raps, Rapala DT-6 crankbaits, Missile Baby D-Bombs, Twin Turbo Tail, Fuse 4.4 and Yamamoto-Kut Tail 5 inch worms rigged on a Spot Remover 1/8 ounce head.
To me, it means a 6’6” to 7-foot rod that weighs very little with a soft tip, such as the Duckett Micro Magic or Ghost Series, medium or medium heavy spinning rods. The reel is a Lew’s LS300 which is designed for four to eight-pound test line. I hardly ever use the eight-pound line. I prefer six-pound test Pro-Elite Fluorocarbon from Vicious Fishing. With this set up, I can easily cast lures weighing as little as 1/16 to 1/8 ounce jigs and also small crankbaits. If you have never tried light line fishing, you are in for a treat, not to mention that you will get more strikes. Light tackle and methods may be used anytime, however, there are a few special situations where light tackle is the most practical and productive fishing method available. Here are some situations when I change over to light tackle: > Where fishing pressure is heavy: Heavily pressured fish get spooky, and they become less likely to bite large, fast moving baits. However, they are much more prone to eat lures that are inconspicuous in terms of size and action. > Extremely clear water: Crystal clear water is another condition that makes fish spooky. Thin line is less visible, and smaller baits are more visible. Smaller baits are also less threatening, hence more appealing, than larger lures with abrasive actions.
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by Capt. Jake Davis
> Post-cold front conditions: Another perfect example is when during or after a cold front blows through, the skies clear and the barometer rises. Most anglers say bass get lockjaw, as bass get uncomfortable, much like we do after eating Christmas dinner. But we still snack on small stuff. > When natural forage is small: Match the food source! When minnows or insects are small, predator fish refuse to bite larger baits, but smaller lures the size of the natural food will still work. Next time you go to hit the water, especially if conditions are tough and the fish have shut down, remember to downsize and break out the light-line tactics to catch bass. Capt Jake Davis is a USCG Licensed professional fishing guide on Lake Guntersville, Tim’s Ford Lake and Nickajack Lake; to reserve your “Day on the Lake” visit www.midsouthbassguide.com or call/ email 615-613-2382, msbassguide@comcast.net
DECEMBER 2016
SOUTHWEST GA EAST AL 3