Winter has quickly shutdown my bass fishing this year. I know it's not officially winter, but when I look out back at the thermometer and it's reading 5 degrees, I don't even start to consider hitching my boat up.
To beat the winter blues, I always make a trip south and sample the bass fishing in Florida. I enjoy slowly working the rivers, canals, and ponds down there, but the technique to catching fish is quite different than what we use here on the Potomac. Finesse is the secret to fishing these ultra-clear waters. It's almost like trout fishing -- you have to carefully stalk your bass, delicately present your lure and then have the patience to wait for a delicate tap on the line or an explosive surface hit.
My favorite lures for the spring-fed waters of Florida are a 6 inch black worm rigged Texas style with an 1/8 oz sinker and a small floating Rapala (I prefer red or chartruese since it makes it easier for me to watch the plug). The plug I work in the mornings and evenings when the light isn't too bright or it it is overcast. Worms work well all the time but especially if the temperature is down in the 70's and below. (it does happen).
When I fish small Rapalas I like to use a short ( 5 1/2 ' IM6 spinning rod). You need a light action that can flick a little lure with accuracy and still has enough backbone to set the hooks into the jaw of a bass. For the longest time when I first returned east to bass fishing (after years of trout fishing) I kept losing fish because the ultra-light trout rod I was using wasn't stiff enough to set the hook. For line I use 6 to 10 lb clear Trilene XL, it's my favorite monofilament. For reels I've been happy with Abu Garcia Gold Max #3 and small Shimanos with the long spool. The trick to fishing a Rapala is to cast it to where you're pretty sure the fish are and then do nothing. It seems that the least action is the best action. Bluegills will come up and pop your plug (you'll hook a few for sure), but you'll really know the difference when Mr. Largemouth decides to visit. Typically your plug will seemingly explode in the water. The rest is up to you.
For the worming I use a 6 1/2 ft Daiwa Procast Worming Special with a Abu Garcia Black Max reel loaded with 14 lb Fenwick Iron Thread. Attach a 3 - 5' leader of hard 10 lb. monofilament (the best I ever found was Fenwicks leader material, but I understand the entire line of iron thread is discontinued) using a double uni-knot. Once again the best tactic seems to be to cast the worm to where the fish should be and then wait. Bass can be very slow about taking a worm. When they do it is usually a very slight tap on the line (always keep your fingers in contact with the line to help detect the hit). When you feel the hit, drop the tip of your rod, take in the slack and hook the fish with a sharp upward sweep of the rod. Note the new braided lines do not stretch like mono so if your using one use your wrists to make the hit not your whole body. Using your whole body with braid is liable to break a rod tip or have you end up with a fish flying into your mouth!
I know that the gear I'm describing doesn't sound like the bone-crushing equipment we on the murkier waters up north, but the fish down in Florida tend to be very particular about biting anything. In short they are very line shy. I truely believe in worrying about how to land a big one after I get him to bite. I have yet to hook into anything down there that is bigger than 7 lbs. But I am sure that they exist. I also believe in catch and release so it doesn't bother me to lose a fish or two.
You will find the bass typically associating with structure. This can be a weed bed, a tree or bush in the water, a dock, an irregular wall, or a curve or turn in the channel. Typically you will spook a lot of fish until you get a good idea of where they are laying. If you want to get onto fish fast, get a guide. They know where the most and biggest fish are and how to catch them. This can be very important. Most of these rivers and canals only have bass in certain areas and it is easy to waste a week or two trying to find them.
Gerry Lebing