Targeting Bass Near Cattails

Bass are predators.  That's one reason they hang out near cattails.  That's where the bait fish are.  The other reason is that the cattails provide protection for the bass from their own predators.

Here's the reed line of the creek I fished tonight.  The lure I used is in the foreground.

You can see that the creek isn't very wide.  Crank baits are heavy, and they tend to sail when you cast them.  Fishing the cattail edge requires a very gentle, finessed cast.  Ideally, you want to land right at the edge of the reed line and reel the crank back toward you.

By the way ... you'll still over-cast from time to time.  You'll probably even loose a couple lures.  Just accept that now.  The more you do it, the better you'll get.

I hooked this guy on the far side of the creek at the reeds' edge.  He put up a fight about twice his size, and he tried to run back into those reeds.  Be prepared for that.

As usual, the bass was released.  Tight lines!

Choosing the Right Bass Crank Bait

In my opinion, the best way to pick a crank bait is to go to the lake first.  Observe the bait fish.  If it's legal in your area, you might even toss in a cast net and see what types of bait fish you pull out.

In my case, what clued me in was a thunderstorm that stranded baitfish in the grass when the water receded.  I saw lots of dead gizzard shad.  So I went to the store and got a lure that looked like a gizzard shad.

As you can see, I've had luck with it.

Here's a better look at the fish.

Not big, but fun all the same.  Below is a snapper I saw sitting on the side of the road.

I released the bass, and I left that snapper where he was!!

Tight lines!