April Smallmouth- The "Pink Moon" or "Fish Moon"
“The fourth river is called Patawomeke and is 6 or 7 miles in breadth. It is navigable 140 miles, and fed as the rest with many sweet rivers and springs, which fall from the bordering hills. These hills…are planted, and yield no less plenty and variety of fruit that the river exceedeth with abundance of fish.” (Capt. John Smith, 1612)
We can learn much from the past. Especially when we are talking about river systems given their were peoples targeting fish on most long before most of our ancestors arrived in North America as immigrants from around the world.
The indigenous peoples of the Algonquin, Seneca and Iroquois peoples inhabited many parts of our region and almost all of them relied upon rivers one way or another. It wasn’t really until the 1930’s that the formal “Potomac” was settled upon in truth for present day Potomac River though many called the river by many names including “Patawomach”, “Potomach”, or “Pottomeek” after the Patewomeke people that lived in present day Stafford County, Virginia. Heck even Thomas Jefferson used different names in his works as he referred to the river as “Patomac” and “Patowmac”.
This has happened of course to more rivers than just the Potomac of course but one thing is certain and that is that fishing was a vital and crucial activity for the peoples inhabiting the region and while development of course has changed the dynamics in many rivers like the Upper Potomac fishing still remains an integral part of the lives of many that live along its path.
The native peoples relied upon the river systems not just for fishing but also for trade with other tribes and we can see how so much of their culture relied upon fishing with many references to fish describing the different moons and ultimately different river conditions throughout the seasons. In the case of the Potomac no surprise George Washington used the foundational history of the native tribes and their activities when he planned for the canal and the areas he sought to utilize.
These windows I like to call them both into the past but also into the behavior of Smallmouth Bass and other species in our rivers are vital in understanding the river and ultimately catching fish. I fish the Potomac River the most and typically becomes my barometer but much of what I have learned on this river system is very translatable across the region for Smallies.
April represents today just as it did long ago the first “best opportunity” to catch a abundance of fish. We have been catching Smallies as early as February of course but the numbers dramatically increase as the Smallmouth transition to feed up. In the Northeast the tribes all the way into Canada also had a name for April calling it the “Breaking Ice” moon because the rivers and lakes would be free of the wintering ice.
If you are an avid kayak bass angler than you are well aware the back and forth that happens when early Spring fishing is discussed because in large part the Mid Atlantic and south east of course down to Georgia and than west to Texas warms up and gets going long before the Northeast does in terms of Smallmouth.
In April and early spring, bass behavior in river systems can be influenced by changing water temperatures, pre spawning activity, and shifts in prey availability. (See: Shiner Forage Post)
Understanding these factors can help you choose the best bait presentations to target bass effectively. Here are some popular bait presentations and the corresponding bass behaviors during this time period:
Crankbaits:
Behavior: As water temperatures begin to rise in early spring, bass become more active and start moving from deeper wintering areas to shallower spawning grounds. Crankbaits are effective for covering water quickly and targeting bass in various depths and habitats.
Presentation: Choose medium-diving or shallow-diving crankbaits to mimic baitfish or crayfish. Focus on casting around submerged rocks, fallen trees, and other structure where bass may be holding. Retrieve the crankbait at different speeds to find the most effective presentation for the day.
For Crankbait fishing I almost always use a 6’8” paired with P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon which 100% Pure Fluoro and completely invisible with a true fast sink rate in the water column. I prefer the 12# test but also utilize the 8#.
Jerkbaits:
Behavior: Jerkbaits are versatile lures that can imitate wounded baitfish, making them effective for triggering reaction strikes from bass, especially during the pre-spawn period when bass are feeding aggressively.
Presentation: Use a twitch-and-pause retrieve to impart a darting, erratic action to the jerkbait. Target shallow areas near spawning flats, as well as deeper pools and eddies where bass may be staging before moving to their spawning grounds.
I prefer to use a longer rod and use P-Line Topwater . Towater is a high performance copolymer and abrasion resistant, low memory with very high levels and distances of castability matched perfect for Jerkbait fishing.
Soft Plastic Baits:
Behavior: Soft plastic baits, such as creature baits, crawfish imitations, and swimbaits, can mimic various types of prey that bass feed on during the spring months. These baits are versatile and can be fished effectively in a wide range of water conditions.
Presentation: Rig soft plastic baits on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, or jigheads and target areas with cover and structure, such as submerged logs, weed beds, and rocky banks. Experiment with different retrieves, including slow dragging, hopping, and swimming, to find what triggers bites.
One of the fastest growing in terms of adoption for Smallmouth is the Damiki Rig or Hover Rigs which are simply nothing more than the utilization of the a jighead/swimbait head and soft plastic. One of the newest variations that is quickly becoming one of the most successful in the region is produced by Bent Rod Fishing.
Spinnerbaits:
Behavior: Spinnerbaits are effective lures for targeting bass in shallow water, especially during periods of low light or turbid water conditions. Bass are often more aggressive and willing to chase down fast-moving prey during the pre-spawn period.
Presentation: Choose spinnerbaits with Colorado or willowleaf blades for maximum flash and vibration. Cast spinnerbaits along the edges of weed beds, around laydowns, and across current seams. Vary your retrieve speed to determine the most effective presentation for the day.1st Gen Fishing has an awesome lineup as well as the Top Spin line for you to rig your own variation.
Spinnerbaits come in all sizes of course but I prefer smaller, more compact spinners the majority of the time to work rising water conditions but Spring presents the opportunity to go a bit bigger in profile with alot more flash because the Smallies are feeding and more willing to chase a meal down.
In addition to 1st Gen Fishing, I prefer the Spinnerbaits produced by John from Snagler Tackle Company in PA as well as Bassdope Lures Superman Finesse and Tandem style and M.E.S. Lures in Virginia which also produces some of the best Underspins as well as Chatterbaits.
Bassdope Lures found here : https://tinyurl.com/t4xjw4k2
Topwater Lures:
Behavior: Topwater lures, such as buzzbaits, poppers, and walking baits, can be effective for targeting bass during the early morning and late evening hours when bass are feeding near the surface.
Presentation: Work topwater lures along the surface of the water, creating commotion and noise to attract bass. Target areas with submerged vegetation, overhanging trees, and shallow flats where bass may be actively feeding.
When this bite is on it IS ON. Typically begins to happen as the water temps warm up above 60-65 degree range.
Typical and well known is the Whopper Plopper but to be honest the rate of conditioning to the plopper has never been higher so you will want some variation and differentation.
I have switched from the traditional River2Sea variations to the “flatside” ploppers from Lakes’s Edge Lures and prefer bone, black and bright colorations.
During April and early spring in river systems, bass behavior is often characterized by increased feeding activity as fish prepare for the spawning season. Anglers should focus on presenting baits that mimic the natural prey of bass in the area and target areas with cover, structure, and varying depths to locate actively feeding fish. Experimenting with different bait presentations and adjusting tactics based on prevailing conditions can help anglers maximize their success when targeting bass in river systems during this time period.
Spring patterns can get disturbed far more than Summer or Fall at least in my experience due to the “breaking ice” effect as well as Spring rains which we have already seen this year flip our rivers three times producing in some rivers a rise to over 15 feet of depth in days.
One of the most effective presentations in early Spring for largemouth has always been the Lipless Crankbait but in recent years the Smallmouth have grown very fond of the lipless as well seemingly within very tight windows. If you locate those with extra rattle all the better. Smallies tend to prefer the rattle over the thump or knocker than largemouth prefer at least in my experience.
Lipless crankbaits are highly effective lures for targeting bass, especially during the spring in river systems. Here's how they are designed, how they work, and why they are so effective:
Design:
Body Shape: Lipless crankbaits have a streamlined, elongated body shape with a flat top and bottom. This design helps them to sink quickly and creates a tight, vibrating action when retrieved through the water.
Weighting: Lipless crankbaits are typically weighted to achieve specific sinking rates and depths. They may contain internal weights or have a metal chamber that produces a loud rattling sound as the lure is retrieved, which can attract bass from a distance.
Hooks and Hardware: Lipless crankbaits are equipped with sharp treble hooks and durable hardware to withstand the aggressive strikes and fighting power of bass. The hooks are usually positioned at the front and rear of the lure to increase hook-up rates.
Color and Finish: These lures come in a wide range of colors and finishes to mimic the natural prey of bass in different water conditions. Popular color patterns include shad, crawfish, perch, and bluegill imitations.
I prefer my Lipless Cranks to have a solid color backbone and prefer black. This creates contrast in the water column between the bait, light and the coloration your lipless has been painted. I almost always upgrade an big box aisle store brand lipless cranks hooks as well often using a different size from front to back. This can also change the action somewhat for a little more action.
How They Work:
Vibrating Action: When retrieved, lipless crankbaits produce a strong, pulsating vibration that can be felt through the fishing rod. This vibration is created by the lure's flat-sided body and the movement of its internal rattles. The intense vibration helps to attract bass and trigger their predatory instincts.
Sinking and Fluttering: Lipless crankbaits sink rapidly when cast into the water, allowing anglers to target bass at various depths. As they sink, the lures often flutter and wobble erratically, mimicking the erratic movements of injured baitfish or fleeing prey.
Versatile Retrieval: Lipless crankbaits can be retrieved at different speeds and depths to imitate the behavior of different types of prey. Anglers can vary their retrieve speed, pause the lure occasionally, or impart subtle twitches and jerks to mimic wounded or struggling prey.
There area few very unique Lipless options on the market. I was first introduced to Nomad Designs at Susquehanna Tackle event in Columbia, Pa by Pro Angler Greg DiPalma who fishes the Bassmaster Elite Series. I have since acquired over a dozen in differing sizes and patterns.
The Swimtrex and Vertrex are two options from Nomad Designs. The Vertrex is of the soft variety.
I also really like the smaller, thinner stream lined Lipless from Duo Realis. Not very many anglers throw these so it is likely something your Smallies have not seen much of which is something I like in a bait.
The G-Fix and Apex Vibe are two worth checking out for sure as well.
Effectiveness for Spring Bass in River Systems:
Bass Feeding Behavior: During the spring, bass become more active as water temperatures rise and they prepare for the spawning season. Lipless crankbaits excel at imitating the baitfish and other prey that bass feed on during this time, making them highly effective lures for targeting hungry spring bass.
Search Bait: Lipless crankbaits are excellent search baits for covering large areas of water quickly, which is particularly useful in river systems where bass may be scattered across a wide area. Anglers can cast lipless crankbaits upstream and retrieve them downstream, effectively covering a variety of habitats and depths to locate actively feeding bass.
Reaction Strikes: The loud rattling noise and erratic action of lipless crankbaits can trigger aggressive reaction strikes from bass, especially in river systems where bass are accustomed to feeding opportunistically on fast-moving prey in turbulent water conditions.
Versatility: Lipless crankbaits are versatile lures that can be effectively fished in a variety of river environments, including riffles, pools, eddies, and current breaks. Anglers can adjust their presentation and retrieve technique to match the specific habitat and behavior of bass in different river conditions.
Overall, the combination of their lifelike appearance, vibrating action, and versatility makes Lipless Crankbaits highly effective lures for targeting spring bass in river systems. Anglers can use them to cover water quickly, locate actively feeding fish, and trigger aggressive strikes from bass in a variety of river environments.
Timing your implementation and strategy in Spring to match the behavior as Smallies come out of their wintering holes and transition to and during pre spawn they will be roaming and feeding and more willing ti chance than any other time thus far since the beginning of the year.
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