The amount of foliage growth from early May into June is remarkable. The aroma of flowering trees, and sights and sounds along the river bring back memories from my youth as if it was yesterday. As a kid, I couldn’t wait for the month of June to roll around. Maybe it was due to summer break, the bass opener or that the cover on every fishing magazine fed the bass fever I have yet to shake.
I grew up in an area where farm ponds, lakes, creeks and rivers were just a few minutes’ ride on my bike. I fished so much that my father fabricated a steel rack for my tackle box and welded makeshift rod holders to my bicycle. That Montgomery Wards three-speed high riser never looked so good. Armed with a Mann’s Jelly Worm and Mr. Twister Curly Tail, those bass did not stand a chance.
Looking ahead nearly 50 years, I still find myself still chasing those bass with the same youthful vigor. While I would much rather spend June throwing topwater plugs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits, I understand all too well that there will be days this month when the post spawn bite will require a far more subtle approach. If you have chased bass long enough, you have experienced a post spawn shutdown. The question is, what lures and tactics work best to snap them out of it?
This post spawn shutdown is a situation that has stumped all of us a time or two. It may last just a few hours or go on for days. When it happens, it is as if a switch has been turned off. Believe me, they can be snapped out of it. The focus today is on the two best ways I have found to turn them back on.
Ned Profiles
The idea of doing as little as possible strikes most of us power anglers as a bit odd. Yet, throwing a variety of Ned profile baits and letting them sit with minimum action is exactly what they want during these post spawn shut-downs. I have seen where bass will flee or completely ignore offerings with too much action and seem more interested in baits that just sit there doing hardly anything at all. Ned rigs are very popular, but they can really shine in situations like this.
I have a number of profiles I throw on Ned/Gopher head jigs and I encourage anglers to give several profiles a try when the bite is off. The TRD and Hula StickX profiles from Z-Man are quite popular, but their TicklerZ and BugZ profiles can be game changers when the bite is off. The 3.25” Javelin from Third Eye has been a great addition to my collection of Ned profiles. I am not sure what it resembles, but that tapered tail seems to have enough subtle movement to drive them crazy.
Flat tail Ned profiles also offer modest movement with little angler movement. The FITT Lures Chillee Willee or the Ned Bomb from Missile Baits are two of my favorites. The Ned/Gopher jig really allows that tail “up” presentation to get enough attention to get strikes from wary bass.
Perhaps my most favorite Ned presentations for finicky bass is modifying creature baits into smaller profiles. The Bamboo Bomber from Zee Baits has quite the interesting profile. I start by removing two to three of the body segments and remove a little off the two tentacles. This cut-down version of the Bamboo Bomber offers gentle movement with little to no action required from the angler. Give it a try and see for yourself.
Jerk, Jerk Pause
The second way I have found to turn on inactive post spawn bass is by fishing a soft jerkbait. I have a few favorites here. The FITT Lures Nottafluke and Jointed Jerk from Barry’s Custom OG Baits. Both cast a country mile so anglers can get them out there. I recommend a few sharp twitches and then letting the lure fall on a slack line. Let the bait slowly fall all the way to the bottom of the river or lake if that is what it takes.
I often suggest that anglers make a high cast with these jerks and let them “slap” the water making as much initial noise and commotion possible. Two small twitches and then simply let the lure fall, fighting the urge to swim or add any additional movement to the lure. The sound and water displacement from the soft jerk hitting the water will allow bass to key in on the lure. A quick twitch and letting the lure fall will make bass think this is an easy meal, something they do not have to chase and simply cannot refuse.
I prefer to use braided line with a six- to eight-foot fluorocarbon leader. Remember, fish it on a slack line; the braided line will float on the surface and the fluorocarbon leader will allow the lure to fall. Anglers need to rely on more than just feeling the strike fishing the lure this way. Watch the line on the surface, if the slack line is being drawn tight or moving in a direction that seems off, SET THE HOOK. If anglers are not familiar with these 4.75-5” soft jerks or not using this method of letting it sit still and die, they need to take a look. Some of my best post-spawn days come from these presentations.
Give these lures and presentations a try and see if you can turn the bite back on using as little effort as possible.
