Uncatchable BASS

[Chris Stevens]

I am having trouble catching sizable, available bass. I found a far end of a lake which is very shallow, 2-3 feet. I ran up on it and saw all kinds of good size bass, 3-5 ibs. I figured they wouldn't bite because they could see my boat, so I came back the next day and fished the area from a distance. I used spinnerbaits, crankbaits, kinami senkos, minnows, worms, top baits, everything. I assumed the bass must have moved but when I floated back on to the spot they were all still there. Especially this huge one that kept circling my boat. I'm not sure how to catch these lunkers, it's June 7 so I would think they are feeding...or are they still in protecting their beds, thanks for your help.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Chris, theese bass are either still guarding nests or there to feed, either way you should be able to catch them. Here's what I would try. I would take a large Rat-L-Trap and make longs casts to the area, I'm not using the bait to try to catch fish, simply to excite the fish. Fish the trap very fast, really stirring up the bait fish and bass. Wait a short while then go back and fan cast the area with unweighted eight inch-non- intrusive plastic worms-stright worms in purple or other blaise color. Fish the bait slowly across the surface, should work.
Another trick that might work is dragging a worm wqith the sinker turned around backward. The cup of the sinker will dig into the bottom stirring up mid, silt, gravel-whatever-and gives the worm a real herky-jerky action, often this will turn the bass on. Good luck, Johnnie