"May's Bass Magnets"

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.

(www.TheBassUniversity.com)

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

Northwood’s Sporting Journal

Office: 1.207.732.4880

www.sportingjournal.com

Column: Best Bass’n

May 2013 Issue

  

Photo: Professional Bass Angler Pete Gluszek with Largemouth Bass he caught off isolated deep cover.

Photo” Courtesy of Pete Gluszek and B.A.S.S.