Spring is officially here on Alabama's biggest man made impoundment, Guntersville Lake! The months of April and May now show another form of enticing bass lures, besides those lipless lures,Topwater lures!
Sure, some anglers have already enticed a few bass on lures like buzz baits and zara spooks in March.
But when the water warms into the 70's its once again time to include lures like frogs & rats, buzz baits, poppers, prop-baits, soft plastic shad imitations, and floating worms and lizards, allfished in and around the many types of aquatic weeds like millfoil, hydrilla and lilly pads.
Using the right equipment is important to. Leave the light tackle outfits at home, unless you are prepared to tell about the one that got away! I suggest the use of more heavier monofilament line and floroucarbon line in the 14-20 pound test catagory.
Braided line may be good for ripping lures free of weeds, like when claimend by those lipless lure chunkers. Even frogs may be fished with braided line.
But with some lures, I want to see a little stretch in my line as when the bass hits topwaters like Sammies, Zara Spooks, Baby Torpedoes and popping type topwater lures, fished on monofilament line.
You may jerk the lure away from the exploding bass, or rip its mouth when hook setting with braided line. Something has to give when there is no stretch involved! Usually resulting in lost bass...
Long rods of 6 1/2 feet to 7 feet long, get better hook sets and they show longer casts with heavier line of 14-20 pound test with bigger, more guady-type topwater lures showing lots of line stretch with lighter line of 10-12 pound test.
Experiment , see what you prefer! Rig several rods with monofilament line, floroucarbon line, and braided line and compare the results with the use of many different types of topwater lures, various lure weights and line pound test.
Sharp hooks, a good net and a good net man, is all thats needed to complete this, "big bass recipe", while fishing with lures on top this April and May!
Thanks and Good Fishin'
Reed Montgomery Owner of Reeds Guide Service Birmingham, Alabama (205) 663-1504 "Guntersville Lake's Oldest, Professional"Bass Fishing Only" Guide Service for Over 40 Years" Website www.fishingalabama.com