Little Things Mean a Lot

Admittedly, it's big fish that win bass tournaments, but that fact in no way diminishes the value of the little things that you pick up along the way, which help make you a winner. A tune published in 1953 spells it out for us in simple terms: "Little Things Mean a Lot." All of these little things combine to turn good anglers into great ones.

Let's face it. We've all had a day when the fishing was great. A few days later, though, we go back for more of the same but find something vastly different. The fish are thumbing their nose at us. "So what's wrong?" we wonder. The conditions are the same, we're using the same bait, and we're fishing the same spots.

The truth of the matter is that sometimes we get so boresighted on our fishing that we become oblivious to things going on around us. Oh, we'll notice something obvious like bass busting baitfish, but we tend to overlook smaller stuff.

For example, we may miss those little popping noises coming from shallow water in the late-spring months. Those noises indicate bluegill are feeding near the surface--a good sign for bass anglers. When small panfish are in an area, big bass often are nearby. We need to be looking for nearby cover, such as docks, grass lines, and/or stumps. Then it's a matter of breaking out some bluegill-colored squarebills and jigs, and going to work.

On the other hand, if we hear slurping sounds emanating from shallow vegetation, it's time to move to a new area. Too often, folks mistake those slurping sounds for bass feeding on the surface, when they're actually carp. (I used to hear a lot of those slurping sounds back in those days when I fished the Shenandoah River for smallmouths.) And when carp infiltrate a grass bed, any nearby bass usually scatter and find new places to hide. If we're smart, we'll check out other nearby vegetation.

Small, quiet slaps on the surface also are a good sign for bass anglers, especially during the post-spawn period. These disturbances often mean crappie are nearby. Some surprises may be in store if we fish a light Texas rig or jig in these areas. Drag 'em along the bottom to find out if there are some hidden brush piles around. They're a great hangout for big bass, so be sure to mark the location, even if you don't find any fish on the first visit.

We also need to stay alert for small baitfish flickering on the water's surface throughout the day. Baitfish are largely nomadic, and bass are likely to move with them. Bear in mind, however, that where baitfish were found yesterday doesn't mean they'll be in the same area today. Many anglers will pass up casting into pods of flickering baitfish unless something appears to be spooking them. That can be a mistake, however, because bass often will cruise underneath the schools. Getting a lure below the bait can yield some really nice bites.

Learning to read bird behavior can lead to great bass fishing. Diving seagulls are a telltale sign of heavy feeding activity. Bait balls will get pushed to the surface as game fish feed from below, which is a virtual dinner bell for seagulls. Herons are experts at finding shallow baitfish, so when these tall birds are present in an area, we know the location of bait without even making a cast. Crows, on the other hand, love a good meal of mayflies in the late spring and early summer, so keep an eye peeled for these ugly black birds running around near overhanging bushes and limbs. Bluegill come up to feast on the fallen mayflies, creating a five-star buffet for big bass. This is the time to take out our dark green topwater frogs, bluegill-colored wakebaits, and stick worms...and hang on.

Learning to use the wind to your advantage is yet another very useful "little" tool. When the wind speed increases, change to fast-moving, reaction lures, such as crankbaits and jerkbaits. They shine in windy conditions because the disturbance breaks up their profiles and makes them more realistic to bass. If the wind stops blowing, a slowdown in approach is called for. A good bet is a Texas or Carolina rig dragged slowly over the same areas that were productive in the windy conditions. Remember, too, that calm waters call for natural, slow presentations, so before changing locations, try altering your technique.

Making adjustments to fishing spots based on shade lines is another important factor. Targeting shady areas (e.g. east banks) in the morning is a great idea. Big expanses of shade, though, tend to scatter bass, making them harder to catch, so look for shorelines with 4-to-6-foot-wide strips of shade. And, in the late afternoons and evenings, start targeting west banks.

For what it's worth, learn to focus on this reality: Something as simple as a shad flicker can spell the difference between coming up with a big fat zero and a banner day you'll be talking about for a long time to come.

Tight Lines! to one and all.