Of course, being spring, some lakes are going to be rising due to those big old thunderstorms that can blow up and drop a bunch of water in a hurry. Especially in spring, as the water comes up, fish rise with it. All of that newly flooded timber can make it confusing on where to fish and what to throw. My plan of attack is quite simple. I look for areas where I can get to the bank because that's where bass find their easiest meals: crawfish, baitfish, insects, whatever. I'll throw a buzzbait a lot of the time since it's a good bait to toss in and around flooded cover and the anticipation factor of a surface strike adds to the excitement of fishing.

Spring can also find many lakes in a drawdown situation, either because the water has been high and efforts are to get it back to normal levels, or the water is being needed downstream for power, irrigation or both. Whatever the case, falling water levels requires a different tactic. Now I'm targeting the outside last two or three bushes, the end of boat docks, laydowns — just about any type of outermost cover — where bass can feel comfortable yet also lie in wait for ambush of easy prey that is retreating from the dwindling shoreline. For this, I'll use soft plastic baits like tubes or a Brush Hog, and I'll flip or pitch right into the cover. It's not uncommon for fish to really stack up in in this situation and when that happens, let the fun begin.

One of the most common questions I get asked by anglers is how to decide on the rod and reel to use for each of the fishing situations I've described above. While there are certain rod actions that are tailored made for every specific technique from flipping to crankbaiting to finesse, I know that not every angler has the means or desire to get so specific. Therefore, I usually say if you’re looking for one good all around combination, I'd go with a Quantum Tour Edition or Energy PT baitcast reel in a 6.3:1 gear ratio, matched to a Quantum 7’ medium-heavy action rod.

The gear ratio allows you to easily change the retrieve speed for every style of bait and technique between slow-rolling a spinnerbait to fast-churning a buzzbait. The advanced design of the Superlite rod in medium-heavy action gives the angler plenty of backbone for flipping into cover and winching a bass out of it, yet a fast enough tip for casting small-sized crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

Whether you're a veteran springtime angler or someone just getting started, it won’t take you long to encounter the different things I've mentioned here and for you to realize exactly what I'm talking about. Spring is a great time for bass lovers, so get out there and enjoy it.

I hope to see you on the water.

G

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