Early Season Smallmouth Fishing
Late June: the first bass fishing weekend of the year. It's already on my mind. Not only am I clamouring for the warm weather and cold beer, but the early season, at least in my area, consistently produces some of the biggest smallmouth I've ever seen. It's also a great time to learn new techniques, since the bass are aggressive and, when the time is right, they'll hit just about anything.
Let's rewind 9 months. I'm driving up to Lake Simcoe with my buds, Marco and Taras. The weather is absolutely perfect: the sun is shining, and my neck is aching to get red as it can. We have the Brad Paisley turned up loud, and I'm dying to get on the canoe to try out a technique I've heard a lot about, but haven't actually tried -- the wacky rig. I know it's not exactly the right presentation to use in this situation, but I've made a decision this year to try new techniques rather than relying only on the tried and tested ones.
I spool my reel with 10lb braid and at the end tie on a 12-18" long 8lb fluorocarbon leader (some anglers recommend slightly heavier fluorocarbon so that the line diameters are closer to being equal). I connect the lines using a double uni knot. On my hook sits what would eventually become one of my most productive baits of the season: a green pumpkin coloured Gary Yamamoto 4" Senko. When I cast, rather than depending on my rod, I watch my line to detect strikes -- any unique movement, and I'm ready to set the hook.
I'm too slow on the first few hook sets, and my pliers are working overtime. I'm not catching any giants, but my confidence is growing fish after fish. Eventually, I'm hooking them right at the top of their mouths. Nothing better than being on the still lake, chilling out, fishing from a canoe in five feet or water or less, and hooking smallies. But the biggest catch of the weekend isn't caught from the canoe -- it's caught very close to shore.
After a quick trip to Trombly's Tackle Box in Orillia, Taras ties on a perch coloured square-billed crankbait. Before we even have a chance to get in the canoe, he throws a few casts from the dock. I'm in the boat house, looking for the paddles, and I hear a giant splash. I think a dog's jumped into the water somewhere, but when I look out, I see Taras' rod heavily bent. He's got a fish on, and it's an absolute HOG. Patiently, he brings the fish close to the dock, where Marco nets it. Taras is grinning from ear to ear...
Reminiscing on a cold March day, June's elusiveness teases me...
Let's rewind 9 months. I'm driving up to Lake Simcoe with my buds, Marco and Taras. The weather is absolutely perfect: the sun is shining, and my neck is aching to get red as it can. We have the Brad Paisley turned up loud, and I'm dying to get on the canoe to try out a technique I've heard a lot about, but haven't actually tried -- the wacky rig. I know it's not exactly the right presentation to use in this situation, but I've made a decision this year to try new techniques rather than relying only on the tried and tested ones.
I spool my reel with 10lb braid and at the end tie on a 12-18" long 8lb fluorocarbon leader (some anglers recommend slightly heavier fluorocarbon so that the line diameters are closer to being equal). I connect the lines using a double uni knot. On my hook sits what would eventually become one of my most productive baits of the season: a green pumpkin coloured Gary Yamamoto 4" Senko. When I cast, rather than depending on my rod, I watch my line to detect strikes -- any unique movement, and I'm ready to set the hook.
I'm too slow on the first few hook sets, and my pliers are working overtime. I'm not catching any giants, but my confidence is growing fish after fish. Eventually, I'm hooking them right at the top of their mouths. Nothing better than being on the still lake, chilling out, fishing from a canoe in five feet or water or less, and hooking smallies. But the biggest catch of the weekend isn't caught from the canoe -- it's caught very close to shore.
After a quick trip to Trombly's Tackle Box in Orillia, Taras ties on a perch coloured square-billed crankbait. Before we even have a chance to get in the canoe, he throws a few casts from the dock. I'm in the boat house, looking for the paddles, and I hear a giant splash. I think a dog's jumped into the water somewhere, but when I look out, I see Taras' rod heavily bent. He's got a fish on, and it's an absolute HOG. Patiently, he brings the fish close to the dock, where Marco nets it. Taras is grinning from ear to ear...
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