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Fishing The In-coming Tide

The incoming tide (flood tide) is normally considered a tough tide to fish. This is primarily because with the waters rising it opens up many more acres of water that the fish can get into. However, I promise you bass can be caught on an incoming tide. Bass will tend to scatter more during a full tide though. Often times into water to skinny for the average angler to even think of bringing that beautiful clean boat into. Here the bass will move more frequently chasing baitfish that have also returned into this freshly flooded shallows to feed and hide. Here both the bas and bait feel pretty comfortable as long as there is shallow structure. In my opinion weeds are the best.
The high end of the tide is a good time to look for fish on the main river or main creek channels. In these funnel type areas you will find the current flow to be substantially less near the crest of the tide. One thing I have learned over the many years of fishing tidal rivers is that anywhere that the current is slower can usually be a major area for catching bass. One thing to remember about bass (especially largemouth bass) is that there are very lazy fish. Let me rephrase that, let's call them opportunistic feeders. The fish are going to hold tight to structures and wait to ambush prey that is being washed by them with the tide.
One of the first places that I look for incoming tide fish is a major creek. If the creek is large enough to have shallow water flats near the mouth than this is a creek that I would consider first. I prefer to fish these flooded grass flats when the tide is up. The fish will be holding on every clump or piece of structure in that new flooded water. Casting Cavitron or spinner bait will definitely put fish in the boat. If the creek is narrower than I look for downed trees and flooded bushes right on the bank. Here the fish will be so close to the bank (primarily do to undercuts from the current) that you will need to literally punch you bait through the brush to get to the bank. My favorite approach to this fishing is by far a flipped or pitched jig or jig and worm. So don't be like so many other tidal fishermen that you ignore the rising tide.

Jigs in Spring - Gene Ellison

It’s hard to argue with the numbers, over the past 8 years, I've caught more bass of 5 plus pounds or better with a jig-and-pig than with all other lures combined. Most of these fish have come in the Spring of the year, when the water temperature ranges from the low 40’s to the mid 50 degree range. Crayfish are the favorite meal for bass, and once they become active in early spring, bass get more aggressive. When a jig and pig combo is dangled in their area, it resembles the backward darting movement of a crawfish and gets the attention of bass.

Since many spawning bass go into very shallow water to spawn, they become easy targets for most anglers. I have found that shallower bass, that get pestered by anglers, become skittish and more difficult to catch. When this happens, I change my strategy and move to slightly deeper on the same structure in search of untouched spawners. Not all bass spawn in the very shallow depths. When bass make beds in deeper water, they are more difficult to see, and this is a benefit for me. Since other anglers overlook these fish, they are less bothered and are often more responsive to my presentations.

The biggest challenge in catching deeper spawners is spotting the fish. Typically, you'll see them best on clear days during midday, when sunlight penetrates farthest beneath the surface. Purchasing quality polarized sunglasses is critical to success. Many pros count on SolarBat sunglasses (www.solarbat.com) with amber-colored lenses to get the job done right. In additions, many anglers fail to see deep spawners because they are looking to see a whole bass. The key is to look for a slight movement of their tail ! Train yourself to look for this subtle movement and with a little practice, you be able to see beds in 6 to 8 feet, in clear water.

If you can't, try retrieving a soft-plastic swimbait, like the new 5 inch Berkley Hollow Body (www.berkleyfishing.com), near the surface in spawning areas like protected north-west coves . If a bedding bass only flashes at this lure without striking, simply mark the spot with your Lowrance GPS unit (www.lowrance.com). After a few minutes, come back to that spot and try to locate that fish and its bed.

I will often prefer a bucktail hair jig in low 40 degree water. Several years ago my fishing partner Tom Marrs shared with me how the subtle action of hair jigs along with their more compact profile, in cold water, can be the “ticket” for enticing bass to strike.
I’ll choose real pork trailers in waters below 52 degrees, because at this temperature they are livelier than plastic. However, in warmer water I will go with plastic trailers like Strike King's 3X Denny Brauer Chunk (www.strikeking.com) or Yum's new Terry Scroggins Big Show Craw (www.yumbaits.com). Both of these are awesome baits ! Denny’s 3x Chunk is a trailer, while Terry’s Big Show Craw can be used as a trailer or by itself as a flipping’ bait. These trailers come in many colors, so match them to the crawfish in the water you are fishing, and always match the color of your jig to the color or your trailer.

The presentation itself is pretty straightforward. I will often stay back off the bank or try to position my boat over the deep side of a flat’s drop off. I can then make casts up into the shallower water and slowly hop or “stroke” the jig over the flat and then down over the ledge. Remember that most strikes are going to occur when the jig is falling, so keep your eyes focused on your line, while keeping your finger in contact with the line as well. Big fish often strike very gently, so pay close attention.

Lure Placement "The Importance Of":

Lure placement is one of the most important mechanics of bass fishing that an angler needs to master. Unfortunately there is no definite in this matter. Where you need to place a lure many times depends on the type of lure you are using and what type of structure. It can also depend on what type of impoundment you are fishing as well. For instance if you are fishing a river system you need to position your cast just up-current from the strike zone you are intending to target. This will allow your bait to be presented in a more natural manner.
The true importance of lure placement is implemented through an understanding of the fishes behavior at the time. You need to remember that you are chasing a fish that lives each day in this watery environment. If you find the fish slow or not wanting to chase a bait you may need to place your lure right on top of where you think the fish is laying in wait to ambush prey. Many times this direct approach will cause the fish to strike out of reaction. Do not feel that this presentation is only to be used with a jig or worm. I have found many times that this can work well with spinnerbaits, topwaters, and even a crankbait.
You may find fish not reacting to your direct presentation or they may follow your bait or even spook away from your lure when it hits the water. If this happens you want to place your lure just past the target. This will allow you to bring your presentation into the fishes liar more naturally. Many times this will bring a violent strike from the bass. This placement can also cause a reaction strike, but most often it brings a hunger strike from the bass. The may see it or hear it coming and position themselves for the pounce. Either way you can see the importance of understanding the fishes behavior and how you must have the right lure Placement.