It's summertime, and the bassin’ is here

Go fish while the fishing is good

By Guy Carl
Outdoors

Summer is officially here! For the bass fisherman, this is the season when some of the most exciting fishing can be found.

My favorite method is topwater. Nothing beats the thrill of seeing (and hearing) a big bass suddenly attack your lure floating on the surface — and then feeling the familiar weight pulling on the end of your line.

Early morning is the best time, even before the sun hits the water. On mornings when the marine layer visits lakes in the coastal range, the topwater bite can last even longer. The end of the day can also have a good surface bite if you can find some calm water.

Experimenting with different topwater lures can be fun. Sometimes the subtle approach works best, such as a Zara Spook or similar lure that gently waggles across the surface.

Other times it takes a little noise to get their attention, like a buzzbait that chops at the water as it’s pulled along.

The versatile and ever-reliable popper is hard to beat, as it can be gently pulled along or made to make noise. With a sharp twitch of the rod, the lure will make an irresistible “pop” on the surface.

In heavy weed beds, try a floating, weedless frog or mouse. Jump it along through the weeds, pausing in pockets of open water. Make sure you are using heavy enough gear to pull that big bass out of the weed patch.

When the sun comes out, the fishing conditions quickly change — and so should your approach. Try a jerkbait or crankbait that runs a little deeper.

Explore different depths and retrieve speeds until you find how the fish are biting that particular day.

Swim baits have become very popular in recent years as a method for catching bigger bass. You normally don’t catch as many fish with swim baits, but the ones you do catch are usually bigger.

The cost of these lures varies greatly, from just a couple of bucks for the basic variety up to over $40 for the fanciest types. The level of resemblance to the actual baitfish generally goes up with the price, as does the sturdiness of the lure.

Soft plastics can often be the answer when nothing else is working. Bass pros use water clarity to help decide what type to use.

The rule of thumb is that the clearer the water, the more conservative lure you should tie on.

In the clearest waters, try a smaller worm-type lure with only one or two mild colors. In muddier water, go for a creature bait or bulky jig with multiple bright colors.

Always keep an eye out for what kind of feed is in the lake you’re fishing.

When there are big schools of shad in the water, try a white or silvery lure.

If you spot crawfish darting along the bottom, tie on a bait that is brown or dark red. Most frogs in this area are naturally white or light green, so be ready to match those colors if you hear those guys chirping along the shorelines.

However you choose to fish, make sure it’s a method you enjoy and have fun with it.

And when you catch that big one, take a picture and send it in to us for the “Bragging Rights” feature.

Mail your photo to Bragging Rights, c/o Napa Valley Register, 1615 Second Street, Napa, CA 94558.

Or you can e-mail your digital photo (in JPG form) to sports editor Randy Johnson at rjohnson@napanews.com.

Please include your name, what kind of fish you caught, the size of the fish and where you caught it.

This Saturday — Rivers of a Lost Coast

Come to the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville this Saturday, June 27, to see the movie screening of “Rivers of a Lost Coast.”

This documentary reflects on the history of fly fishing in the rivers of Northern California over the last century, and the plight of their salmon and steelhead runs.

There is a reception at 7:30 p.m. where you can meet the film’s director, and the show begins at 8:30.

Tickets are $7 each and can be purchased at Sweeney’s Sports, or by calling 252-4188, ext. 120. Proceeds benefit the Napa County Resource Conservation District and the Napa Valley Museum.

Guy Carl is a CPA and partner with BDCo Accountants and Advisors in St. Helena (www.bdcocpa.com). Contact Guy at GC.outdoors@sbcglobal.net.

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