By Jerry Fournier

Its spring and I just motored up to one of my favorite big fish haunts. I have been waiting for this perfect full moon day. Today I am looking for GIGANTOR the monster of monsters. I reach down and look at the deck of my boat where I have four swim baits tied on to four different rods. I always like to start off throwing large and dark colored swim baits at the very first light of the morning. I like to concentrate on staying tight to the bank starting out shallow then moving out a little at a time all the time drawing the fish to the shallows. Then I go back to the shallows again trying to give the bass a different angle and or a different view. You just don’t know how the fish is sitting and by moving around and drawing your swim bait back to the same location you can draw fish to you. My thought is always big fish eat shallow and so my presentation has to be perfect. I also believe that a big bass likes to trap his prey against something like the bank or even the surface of the water. I believe that a big bass knows that his prey can’t go any where or get away, that is why they are called predators. I approach the bank by quietly and slowing moving into the bank. Most of time if I can drift with the wind I will do so. When fishing in the spring and fishing shallow, you always have to be aware of your boat sounds transmitting through the hull of you boat, down into the water and spooking the fish. You also have to keep in mind your trolling motor can give you away when stepping on and off the pedal. Remember your not making noise in shallow water will make the difference between a good day and a bad day of fishing. Think of it like hunting for a big buck, or a big bull elk. You are not going to make all kinds of noise walking loud, coughing, banging into trees, or stepping on all kinds of trash, The Deer and Elk use the sense of hearing, smelling, and eye site to keep away from their predators just as a big bass.

In the spring there are always three things going on the body of water you are fishing. Spawning fish, fish that are staging to come in to spawn and fish that are staging after they spawn. You do not know at one time how many bass are in you area and exactly when they will be there. Each year in the spring the weather changes, no two years are exactly the same as the last. You might get a real wet spring, you might not. You might get a real cold spring, you might not. You might get real cloudy windy day, you might not. You might have high water, you might not. You might have muddy water, you might not. So each fishing trip you take, fish like there are many big fish in your area and treat each cast like you are going to catch your personal best. Always be in a power position when holding your rod and reeling in your swim bait. Do not get caught holding your rod in a weak position; you will have a hard time setting your hook into the mouth of a large fish and a trophy of a life time will get away. Always pump the hook into the fish more than once. Keep the fish coming to you and play with it when it is in the boat.

As I mentioned earlier I like to throw large dark colored swim baits in shallow water at first light. If the water is calm I will be on the surface or just under. Remember I am fishing shallow water. This might mean a weed line in the delta, or a rocky point in a lake. It could mean I am fishing lay downs in the back of a creek or right up tight fishing as close as I can to a bluff. With the growth and popularity of swim baits these days, you can find the right one for your type of fishing. My bait of choice for early in the morning will be a Spro BBz1, Huddleston, AC minnow, Pro Swim Bait, Osprey, Triple trout or a Mission fish. It all depends on where and what body of water I am fishing. You can use all these manufactures lures on any body of water. Something I would like to share with you is you do not have to cast these big baits a country mile. Short pitches and or casts that land quietly are very productive. Some of us prefer a wide open place to throw swim baits and some of us are fishing tight quarters. You are not going to make a long cast into the trees, brush or tulles but you could make a pitch. Water color is important if it is clear than you should make a little longer cast. If you have stained water you don’t need to make long cast. You need the right rod and reel combination for each of these applications. As I mentioned earlier I will have at least four rods on the deck of my boats rigged with swim baits. I always have four different size swim baits rigged for any condition. I might have one that is weedless, and one that has hooks top and bottom for open water. I might have one for pitching around cover or docks.

As soon as I feel that my early morning bite is over I start down sizing. I also like to change the colors and start working towards the lighter colors. Again look at the water conditions if the water is super dirty a large profile might be what you have to throw all day. The most important thing to remember is that the water is cold in the early part of the spring. Bass will be moving slow conserving energy so do not reel your swim baits fast. Creep them on the bottom or move them slow on or just under the surface. Slow and life like. I always share with those I am fishing with that no matter what swim bait you are fishing does your lure look real? Does it look natural as you reel it back to you? Think about it always don’t get in a hurry to fish swim baits in cold water. As the spring starts to move towards the early summer you can move your bait a little faster because the water will be getting warmer and the color of the water will or should be getting clearer.

All your tackle shops are now stocking up on swim baits from all the manufactures. If you live in the bay area Coyote Bait and Tackle in South San Jose has them all asked their great staff to help you find what you need. If you are fishing near the delta stop by the Hook line and sinker. If you live near San Francisco stop by Hi’s Tackle. All these tackle stores can help you. If you are looking for a good rod or two for your new approach to swim baits make sure you fit the rod to the size and weight of the bait. Take a look at the Dobyns line of rods the next time you are in one of these stores. Ask if you can read the Dobyns rod catalog or check out their web site and pick out the rod that is best for you. When it comes to fishing line I like PLine their CXX for the big baits in fifteen or twenty pound test works best for me. For the mid size to smaller sinking baits I like PLines Halo. This year in one tournament on swim baits I caught over thirty bass weighing three to five pounds on Halo twelve pound test. PLine is strong and holds up longer than some of the other brands.

When I am fishing tournaments I like to cover water and make as many casts as I can. I can fish the bait slow with short casts. With long cast I don’t get as good of hook set as I do with a short cast. If you are new to fishing swim baits tie on a paddle tale Pro swim bait with a weighted hook, and fish it just like spinner bait. Slow down and slow roll the swim bait along the bottom or just over the weeds. Try this out this spring and see what works for you.

I hope to see you on the water.

If you would like more information, you can visit my website www.jerryfournier.com.

Jerry Fournier started tournament fishing in 1969. He is one of the original founders of the Santa Clara Bass Busters, He has worked the Honor Bound Tournament for over ten years, was on the board of directors for Christian Bass Angler Fellowship, Promotional director for The Toys for the Troops kids bass tournament. Jerry is a regular writer for the Bass Anglers Guide magazine. He participates in Pro Am and team events all over Northern California. Jerry is a Life member of B.A.S.S. and a California Licensed fishing guide.

Jerry Fournier is a pro staff member for Dobyns Rods, P-Line, Spro, Pro Swim Baits, Rod Strainer, Promar, Costal Del Mar, Prop Cover and Coyote Bait and Tackle.

I am now passing this on for you to watch. Its not enjoyable, it is riveting! When you are done pass it on too, I think its important…don’t you? If you are a vet, I say thank you, for everything.

http://www.nragive.com/ringoffreedom/index.html

Take the time for this one, you won’t be disappointed…
The very end is a kicker!

To all my friends: please help me share this video with all of our bass fishing friends all over the country. Be an American and do something to help our troops. Please join me and all the CBAF guys and make a difference to those who are giving their lives to make difference for you, your family, and generations to come.

Please Join us and participate in the Toys for the Troops Kids Bass Tournament coming in NOVEMBER.
For tournament and Toy drive information please log on to www.thecbaf.com. Or contact me at bassin@jerryfournier.com

Thank you,
Jerry Fournier