Article
Date: 2/19/06
Pre
Spawn Tips with BassCat Pro Vince Hurtado
The
blossoms are out and so are the bees, this can only mean one thing,
spring is definitely on the horizon. This month in February we
will be experiencing many fluctuating weights on the California
Delta. A typical type of tournament will have usually two to three
teams in or around the high twenties to low thirties mark and
the rest will drop in weight pretty fast.
This
time of the year where the water temps have not quite reached
the 52 degree magic number is when the Delta can be the most unpredictable,
yet the most rewarding. I like to begin targeting those areas
in the delta once again that have little current and are roadways
to where those big bass will be looking to spawn. I like to call
this time the pre-pre spawn month. My past experience has always
brought me back to the west and middle delta where the water seems
to warm up the quickest. Areas near the main channel but still
out of the current, such as Sherman Island, Big Break, and Franks
will put out some big pigs.
Lure
choices should be limited to simple baits such as tubes,
creatures,
jigs, spinner
baits, crank
baits, and yes even the senko.
There will still be the occasional top-water fish caught, but
you should be playing the percentages to give yourself a shot
at catching a good bag. I like to keep my focus on what is beneath
the water rather than what is around the water. Understanding
the areas that you are fishing will enable you to target the fish
that most fisherman aren’t touching.
PLAY
THE PERCENTAGES
We
know that fish will come shallower to spawn. We know that they
will be moving in from deeper or moving water. We also know that
these fish will continue to replenish through the spawning cycle,
therefore to increase your odds of catching larger sacks, focus
on the roadways where these fish will be coming from. For the
most part, these types of areas will have deeper water near or
around the area. (REMEMBER!!! DEEP IS RELATIVE TO WHERE YOU ARE
FISHING) Keep your boat far enough from the spot(s) that you will
be 
targeting
and remember that these fish right now won’t be as aggressive
like they will later in the month. Fish slow, methodical and repeated
casts can often lead to great rewards. If you can locate these
fish early, chances are you will be able to stay with them through
the full spawning cycle. Good luck and safe fishing.
Vince
Courtesy
of Vince Hurtado
www.vincehurtado.com
Pennies
on the dollar for fishing rods, reels, baits, lures, and more?
You be the judge!
