Spring has begun here in the Deep South and the fish are starting to move faster and more aggressively. Even so, during this time of year there is often another wintry blast or two left in mother nature's repertoire.
Cool weather strikes back, and we wonder where the fish have gone. They're practically jumping in your net one day, but then the very next day it seems they've packed their bags and high-tailed it some warmer, far away waters.
Good news: the fish are still there, they're just down deeper and more sluggish. It's exactly times like this when you just might hook a personal record. So when the fish have slowed down and seem to have stopped biting, fish the water all the more thoroughly. While they may not be actively feeding, you can bet they will stand their ground in the instance of a threat, which leads us to the point of this post.
It's little known that larger bass will often strike close to home as a territorial move rather than in pursuit of a meal. They're hunkered down under that boulder or log lying deep in the pool, keeping a low profile and conserving their energy until the warmth of spring returns.
This is the time to fish most thoroughly. Work that streamer as close as you can get it to home - a place where even the oldest and wisest bass ought to be relaxed and feel safe. If you take him off guard with a large, deep-diving fly pattern, he may very well move into attack mode, seeking to crush any threat to his safe little secret spot.
In a sense, there's a line the bass has drawn around its post, and, if you cross it, you may get a powerful take - one you won't forget. Often the best fish are caught in the worst circumstances.
Thanks for reading.
Tight lines,
Daniel