Working this irregular shoreline outside the mouth of Putah Creek, it definitely had that fishy look. The surrounding water was quiet and relatively clear and instead of a brushy edge or aquatic vegetation this stretch was composed of a hard floor plan with smooth rocks spread out here and there. From the shoreline out the bottom dropped to a deeper contour as indicated by a clear lighter zone touching a darker shade of water.
I suspected that if there were any predatory types hanging around they would be lurking on this hazy edge. It didn’t take long to find out. Using a Carolina Rig and a 4-1/2 inch water melon colored lizard, I cast out putting my bait right on that dark transition edge. Using a hop and pause technique I could feel my oval sinker distinctly ticking an occasional rock.
My bait probably covered about 10 feet of real estate and just as I was letting it pause I felt a sharp rap and then my line began moving. Tension immediately developed on my rod tip and as it happened I struck hard. My spinning rod doubled over and the pulsating rush of a good fish got my adrenaline going.
It was about a two lb smallmouth bass and as I expected, it put up a spirited fight by jumping twice and then lunging off on short hard runs. This fish had company because as I prepared to lip it for a release, my two brothers Julius and Angelo promptly hooked up. Their bass also proved to be smallies of nearly identical size.
Using the electric motor to hold our position we’d get quick action, and then move on and methodically cover another spot. There were few dull moments, and our hook and release score continued to rise. Fishing the spring bite is something I always look forward to it doesn’t require much specialized equipment, the fish are hungry and aggressive and it’s such a great way to start the new season.
As we tried other locations particularly rocky coves and points the smallmouth bass proved to be the predominant species, and it’s just as well. I love catching these hard fighting demons, and for whatever reason they seem to be increasing in this lake in ever greater numbers.
Even though we encountered sizable numbers of fish, as we found on this trip and later trips, if you wanted to stay in the red zone, the Carolina Rig and lizard combo was the way to go. The water was beginning to warm, and these pre-spawn fish were stationing along any rocky structure and keying on smaller prey. Today, instead of aggressively chasing prey to the surface, most of their hunting area was relegated to the bottom and it was more a mode of stalking and then pecking before gulping the bait in.
The key was patiently working the bait right on the bottom, and it had to be with a lizard. The latter definitely triggers an attack, perhaps because it resembles a salamander or newt blundering into their territory, but interestingly enough we had more action when we stayed with the smaller lizard.
Gearing Up
A good quality spin or bait-casting outfit is fine. Since smallies tend to hang out in more open, but hard terrain you can spool up with 8 to 10 lb test monofilament. When rigging up the Carolina Rig I like to use a ¼ to ½ ounce oval sinker, and below that about two feet of 8 to 12 lb test Vanish fluorocarbon for leader. At their respective ends a small barrel swivel and a # 1 straight shank Owner worm hook are placed. Between the oval sinker and the barrel swivel I’ll add a plastic bead. The latter prevents your main line knot from jamming into the hole of the oval sinker. Regarding lizards, the Zoom 4-1/2 inch bait in watermelon, pumpkin, and June bug color proved to be very productive.
Smallmouth Territory
Smallmouth bass prefer hard furniture, which can be a mix of an irregular shoreline broken by rocks and boulders with an occasional fallen tree entering into the water, or it can be a rocky point or cove or a combination of the two. Generally, the places mentioned may feature a slightly steeper bank, or shelf that drops to deeper water. Fortunately much of Lake Berryessa is structured this way. Other areas to try also include shallow rocky shoals in open water, and such locations can appear as a dark shadow below the surface.
Smallmouth bass like to lurk in that transition zone where the bottom begins to drop a bit more sharply and that can be indicated where the water shade begins to darken or where you begin to lose sight of the bottom.
Covering The Water
When working from a boat set up about a cast away from the shoreline and target that zone where the bottom begins to drop more sharply. Be patient and methodical in your approach. Cast out and allow the sinker to hit bottom. Pick up you’re slack and hop the sinker forward a short distance. This causes the lizard to flutter and dance up in an enticing manner.
Watch Your Line During The Pause
After you hop the sinker, allow for a brief pause. Continue to work across the bottom in this manner using the hop and pause tempo all the way to the boats edge. If you do get a strike, in most cases this happens during the pause, and is often indicated by feeling a sharp tap or you’ll see the belly in the line twitch. Sometimes you may see your line begin to move off. In any of the scenarios, the moment it takes place and line tension develops on the rod tip strike quickly and hard.
If you connect your rod will load up with the pulsating pull of a fighting fish. Hang on and have fun, and be ready when that smallmouth bass jumps. It might end up in your lap. (End)
If you need help in selecting a bass outfit along with how to properly rig up a Carolina Rig with a lizard stop by Hi’s Tackle Box. Many of their staff are expert bass fisherman and are more than willing to show you how to do it right.
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