01-27-2003, 01:50 PM
[cool][font "Times New Roman"][size 3] Well, February is nigh upon us. That means the largemouth will be getting into prespawn mode in many of our favorite bass ponds. It also means that crappies will be moving shallow and finding structure for their annual "spring fling". There should also be an upswing in activity amongst the white bass, yellow bass and stripers...all of which spawn in the spring. For the next couple of months, it is going to be tough to decide where to go, whenever you carve out some time to hit the water.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]I didn't have a real good February last year. I got a late start in the month and still hadn't worked out the best patterns by the time a buddy came down from Utah for a couple of days of tubing. We hit the Agua Fria arm of Lake Pleasant one day...for a solitary 18" largemouth and a couple of white bass. The next day we hit Butcher Jones, at Saguaro, and I let him try out my tricked out Kennebec. Fish were snobbish that morning and we zipped. [/size][/font][font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The first week of March, however, someone rang the dinner bell and I had great action wherever I floated my craft for most of the rest of the year.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]For those with boats, who know how to find the warm pockets on the south facing banks...on the north sides of the lakes...this is the time of year to hunt up some big old mamas full of roe. If you want a shot at a state record, February is the month to get it done.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Traditionally, big bass in February have been taken on big baits...jig and pig, spinner baits, big worms, etc. So rig accordingly. Both Saguaro and Canyon have become favorites of the big bass fans, and produce more than a few ten plus fish each year.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Too early to tell how Roosevelt is going to be...either for bass or crappies. That water level just keeps dropping. The spring structure we fished last year is high and dry. The structure we fished three years ago is a half day's hike from water's edge. Kinda scary. But, if you have good sonar and know anything at all about crappies, you should be able to stretch your string on some good fish. [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]And, it's crazy, but every year there are some huge largemouths taken on tiny crappie jigs fished for bass. The same for flatheads. I once caught a 27 pound flathead, out of my tube, while casting a jig for crappies near shore on 6# line. Got a good long ride out of that one.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Anybody got any ideas on where the early hot spots might be...and a good game plan for lots of action?[/size][/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]I didn't have a real good February last year. I got a late start in the month and still hadn't worked out the best patterns by the time a buddy came down from Utah for a couple of days of tubing. We hit the Agua Fria arm of Lake Pleasant one day...for a solitary 18" largemouth and a couple of white bass. The next day we hit Butcher Jones, at Saguaro, and I let him try out my tricked out Kennebec. Fish were snobbish that morning and we zipped. [/size][/font][font "Times New Roman"][size 3]The first week of March, however, someone rang the dinner bell and I had great action wherever I floated my craft for most of the rest of the year.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]For those with boats, who know how to find the warm pockets on the south facing banks...on the north sides of the lakes...this is the time of year to hunt up some big old mamas full of roe. If you want a shot at a state record, February is the month to get it done.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Traditionally, big bass in February have been taken on big baits...jig and pig, spinner baits, big worms, etc. So rig accordingly. Both Saguaro and Canyon have become favorites of the big bass fans, and produce more than a few ten plus fish each year.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Too early to tell how Roosevelt is going to be...either for bass or crappies. That water level just keeps dropping. The spring structure we fished last year is high and dry. The structure we fished three years ago is a half day's hike from water's edge. Kinda scary. But, if you have good sonar and know anything at all about crappies, you should be able to stretch your string on some good fish. [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]And, it's crazy, but every year there are some huge largemouths taken on tiny crappie jigs fished for bass. The same for flatheads. I once caught a 27 pound flathead, out of my tube, while casting a jig for crappies near shore on 6# line. Got a good long ride out of that one.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Anybody got any ideas on where the early hot spots might be...and a good game plan for lots of action?[/size][/font]
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