A bass's activity level is often determined by water temperatures. Strong feeding,
for example, begins at 50 degrees. As fish move to more shallow, quickly warming
waters, they begin to eat everything that moves. As water warms, a bass's
metabolic rate increases substantially. Quite simply, fish become more active,
expend more energy, feed more often and also digest quickly, optimum conditions
for the anxious angler. The use of any thermometer will enhance one's
understanding of fish movements and moods. The best results for topwater
fishing, especially for trophy sized bass, requires one of two retrieve styles,
regardless of the lure. Either a painfully slow retrieve or a high speed return will
trigger the most strikes. Keep in mind, this rule applies to trophy fish. A big bass is
wary, and more likely it has seen many lures (it may even have been caught by
one). The slow retrieve imitates a frightened or crippled shad; the slower it moves,
the more it appears to e helpless. A slow moving bait, combined with a lifelike
presentation, makes the lure irresistible to fish. The rapidly moving lure appears to
be a potential meal attempting to escape. Many times, even the more cautious,
bigger bass react by attacking the swift moving bait. Perhaps the bass is thinking,
I'd better grab it now before it passes by." So when one extreme doesn't work, try
the other. Patience and repeated casts to the same area are sometimes
necessary to provoke a strike from big bass. When choosing from the wide
assortment of topwater lures available, take a minute to consider: What natural
bass food is found in the water you're fishing? Whether it's minnows, shad, frogs,
snakes or mice, all have been recreated in an artificial form. Remember, too, the
shape and color of the lure's underside is what fish see.
Temperature Technology
and Tips: