DecoteauMay2013
Column; Best Bassin
“May’s
Bass Magnets”
As
the water temperatures start to settle into the 55-65 degree range everything
within the underwater aquatic world seems to be working towards their annual
migration habits. “One factor most bass anglers do not consider into their
springtime bass equation is the migration of one of a bass’s favorite food
choices……..crawfish,” advises 3-Time Bassmaster Classic Contender Pete Gluszek.
(www.PeteGluszek.com)
According
to Gluszek, “In the northeast sections of the United States, especially within
the glacier lakes where there is an abundance of gravel and rock formations,
crawfish will start to migrate towards the shallows at just about the same time
as the bass do.” The Bass University Co-Founder claims, gravel and rocky
bottoms leading into shallower water become underwater highways for these
crustaceans. The average size of crawfish this time of year is within the 3”
range, while shades of green and brown are prominent in most cases.
Although
it has been documented, ‘Springtime Bass’n’
most likely is prime time to land the ‘Bass of a Lifetime’; it can also be
one of the most frustrating and unproductive seasonal transitional periods for
bass anglers as well, especially during cold fronts!
New
Jersey BASS Northern Open Pro Angler Greg DiPalma is quick to agree, “One day
you think you have the bass patterned on either a crankbait or jerkbait
technique, as they move shallower towards spawning flats, and the next day they
seem to disappear all together?”
Gluszek
and DiPalma believe the bass are in different migration depth-zones, since all
bass do not spawn at the same time. “In one scenario we have stable
temperatures within the water column registering water temperature ranges of
55-60 degrees with a high in extreme shallow back bays reaching a possible 65
degrees on warm sunny days! But, add in a cold front to this scenario and that
65 degree temperature drops instantly to within the 55-60 degree range!”
Obviously
the five-degree temperature difference is a major blow to those bass we
patterned earlier in the warmer shallows…………so where do they go? According to B.A.S.S.
Anglers Pete Gluszek and Greg DiPalma once the crawfish begin their slow
crawling migration to the shallows, the bass are close by.
Bass
Cat Pro Pete Gluszek is a smallmouth expert who spends an enormous amount of
time on pristine smallmouth and largemouth waters within the northeast. “I
believe smallmouth bass will move towards the shallows before the largemouth
do, and to me a key temperature is 56 degrees.” When the reaction bite from
faster moving baits seem to disappear, Gluszek and DiPalma monitor their electronics
looking for steep rocky banks close to the spawning areas.
Pete
Gluszek has a change-up deliver of his own for these tough conditions. “This is
the time I will turn to lighter weight casting jigs with Yamamoto Hula Grubs
and work them along deeper tapering banks covering areas between vertical banks
and 45 degree banks up to the spawning flats. The bass are most likely spread
out since they have not committed themselves to the spawning flats, so it’s
important to cover lots of water, while concentrating specifically on rocky
bottoms!” (www.Baits.com)
Gluszek’s
arsenal consist of his lighter weight offerings tied to 10-15 lb. Gamma Edge
Fluorocarbon line spooled on a Shimano baitcaster and saddled to a Denali 7’
heavy action rod. (www.DenaliRods.com) Monitoring his
electronics Gluszek is constantly looking for isolated cover. “Isolated cover
in the form of rock piles, wood and brush piles or possibly deeper grass
patches are bass magnets for Big Bass!” “I’ll utilize the same Denali Rosewood
7’ heavy action rod with 12-15 lb. Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon tied to either a 3/8
or 1/2oz. black or brown jig (www.blackknightindustries.com) and dissect
the isolated cover from every angle until I entice the bass to eat.” If the
water is clear, this Evinrude Pro Staffer turns to a green pumpkin jig, while
all of his jigs are paired with matching trailers. DiPalma prefers small black
jigs with Power Team Lures 3.5” Craw D’oeuvre as his choice of trailer. (www.PowerTeamLures.com)
The
next times you’re pounding the shallows and your bass have disappeared, try
pointing your bass rig in the opposite direction, down size your presentation
and start searching for isolated cover known as “May’s Bass Magnets”!
God Bless and Best Bass’n
Billy “Hawkeye” Decoteau is
an outdoor journalist with a strong passion for pursuing the Black Bass. His
activities include; covering and photographing professional BASS and FLW bass
trails, emceeing The Bass University weekend educational seminar programs with
Professional BASS Anglers Mike Iaconelli and Pete Gluszek, as well as emceeing
benefit tournaments such as Maine’s Annual May Special Olympics Team Benefit
tournament on ‘Lake Cobbie’
The products mentioned above can be found online on the NEW Pete Gluszek store at:
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/bassuniversity/?from=bassuni
The products mentioned above can be found online on the NEW Pete Gluszek store at:
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/bassuniversity/?from=bassuni
Northwood’s Sporting Journal
Office:
1.207.732.4880
Column:
Best Bass’n
May 2013
Issue
Photo:
Professional Bass Angler Pete Gluszek with Largemouth Bass he caught off
isolated deep cover.
