Sight fishing is one of the most exciting ways to catch bass. The definition of sight fishing varies from angler to angler. One misconception is that this method is used only in the spring for bedding fish. Not true! Spring may be the ideal time for this, but some bass will always be shallow, able to be seen and be catchable. We have found this highly rewarding technique can be employed year-round. Here are a few tips that should help you put more bass in the boat.
Generally, sight fishing is done in calm areas, out of the wind, in water depth of eight feet or less. Sunny or cloudy, it doesn’t seem to matter much for us, just as long as the sun isn’t peeking out every once in a while. That type of weather makes it hard for eyes to adjust to the changing light conditions. Of course, water clarity is a huge part of finding bass. With murky water and visibility of a foot or less, this technique becomes much more difficult. Areas to concentrate on would be clean, sandy bottoms with cover nearby. A distinctive inside weedline is ideal but rocks, wood, docks and lily pads are also good. Another misconception is that these areas have to be near the shoreline. Again, not true! We have seen, on several occasions, bass spawning and cruising in eight feet or more on main lake humps and flats.
When sight fishing, stealth and patience is a must. Keep your trolling motor (we prefer Minn Kota Maxxum 74 or 101) on a low, constant speed. Wear drab clothing, avoiding colors like red or yellow. Turn off your electronics and pumps, avoid sudden, abrupt movements and don’t bang anything around.
To aid in the actual sighting of fish, wear a pair of quality, polarized sunglasses. Don’t skimp here. We both wear Ocean Waves with amber lenses to cover the majority of varying light conditions. Now scan in front of the boat, looking out as far as possible for any movements in the water. When you spot a fish, make a long, quiet feather cast. A skip cast also works great. If you are fairly certain the fish hasn’t seen you, sometimes backing off and making a long cast works too. If the bass has seen you and it starts to swim off, try to determine where it’s headed and lead the fish with a long cast.
When trying to coax a bedding fish into biting, you can try to put an object between you and the fish to help prevent the fish from seeing you. Crouching down low also works. We both like Shimano spinning reels with the lightest pound test we can get away with. Remember stealth and patience. We often wonder how long is too long to try and catch a bedding fish. The answer is a tricky one. You really have to rely on experience and try to read the mood of the fish. If it isn’t even looking at your bait, it’s probably best to move on or come back later. If it does show an interest, it may take two minutes or it may take two hours. There really is no secret formula.
For the most effective baits, keep in mind that you are not targeting schooling fish, but quality, individual bass. Therefore, keep on your trolling motor and cover lots of water while watching for roaming fish. Horizontal presentations cover the most water and will put some fish in the boat; however, once you’ve located a specific fish, vertical presentations will probably be more productive. The most productive lures that we’ve found are All-Terrain _ ounce jigs, All-Terrain tubes and All-Terrain stickbaits. We prefer natural colors. Use colors you have confidence in and that you will be able to see. White, hot pink and chartreuse are always good choices.
To summarize, sight fishing is like hunting. It involves stealth, patience and targeting individual fish that will make a difference at the weigh-in. It is an effective technique anytime of year, not just in the spring. To us, there is nothing more exciting than watching a four-pound plus bass take your bait in its mouth. Sight fishing has paid off for us by an average of one quality fish per tournament. Keep this method in mind as a key pattern, even if it’s not the main pattern of the day. We’re confident that if you keep your eyes open and stay alert, you can use some of these tips to put more fish in your boat.
