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Mercury Report

Greg HackneyGreg Hackney

Greg Hackney is an independent thinker. Over two decades of professional fishing, the Mercury Pro Team member has learned to trust his gut over going with the flow — unless he’s dealing with actual flowing water.

In that case, Hackney knows that current remains one of the most predictable powers influencing where, when and how bass position. The Bassmaster Elite Series veteran recently shared his thoughts on strategies for finding and catching current-oriented bass.

1. Consider Seasonal Patterns

Current-related patterns vary by season. During most of the year, bass take advantage of the flowing water to forage, as the current helps deliver food. In spring, this holds true in the prespawn and postpsawn periods. However, in between, Hackney expects to find bass moving away from the heaviest current to spawn. Where this occurs depends on the fishery.

“With river fish that live in current, there’s no migration. They may live out on main river bars, and they literally just go to the bank to spawn,” he said. “Whereas, in southern Louisiana, the fish will run away from the current and spawn in the backs of canals where the water is warmer.”

While spring rains and snowmelt often bring heavy flows, the summer months typically see less water volume moving through river systems.

IDNR Report

Blotchy bassBlotchy bass

If you have been bass fishing more than just occasionally, it’s likely you have caught a bass that had black botches on its body.

Scientists call it “Blotchy bass syndrome (BBS),” the occurrence of black ink-like spots (hyperpigmentation) on the skin, fins, and/or mouths of freshwater bass species.

Researchers once thought that melanosis was caused by sun exposure or stress related to fishing, temperature, or pollution; however, researchers recently discovered that a family of viruses was associated with the black spots in fish that were in poor body condition.

The Division of Fish & Wildlife is partnering with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to collect samples from black bass species to test for BBS and needs your help. DNR encourages anglers to report observations of affected bass when you are fishing, so they and USGS can learn more about the effect of this family of viruses.  

How to participate:

  • Download the MyCatch app from Angler’s Atlas.
  • Register for the “Blotchy Bass Bonanza.”
  • Take photos of all the bass you’ve caught (preferably on a measuring board) while fishing and upload them to the MyCatch app.

The Blotchy Bass Bonanza runs from March 1, 2023 —Feb. 29, 2024. The Indiana DNR is not associated with the MyCatch app or the Blotchy Bass Bonanza.

Z-Man Report

Micro baitMicro bait

Ever wondered why, year after year, some your biggest bass seem to chomp the smallest lures you throw? Why those big old largemouths won’t leave you alone when all you want to do is catch crappies? And why, even when the water’s cold or the bite’s completely off, smallmouth bass continue munching those tiny little baits with aggression?

Every season, but especially in the coolwater periods of winter and spring, microbaits from 1- to 3-inches deliver consistent if not occasionally spectacular bass bites. And as you’ve probably already discovered—although you’ll catch plenty of smaller fish—some of the bass will be those 3- to 5-pound footballs.

When Bass Bite Small Stuff

Turns out, bass of all sizes feed on small stuff—invertebrates like baby crayfish, insect larvae and tiny minnows—much more often than we realize. One study1 of largemouth bass diets, for example, revealed that among a sample size of 43 adult bass, 30 of their stomachs contained invertebrates (insects and larvae), while only 19 contained fish; or 257 total invertebrates versus 118 fish. A separate study of smallmouth bass2 found that among 95 bass stomachs containing food, 58 contained small crayfish, while only 13 held fish.

Unquestionably, while bass of both species derive greater caloric value and growth from a diet of larger baitfish, invertebrates and young fish (including bass fry) can sustain bass during coolwater periods, while heartier food is scarce. Late winter through spring is one phase when bass may key on colonies of freshwater invertebrates as a means of maintenance feeding, nourishing themselves until baitfish begin to hatch. Invertebrates such as mayfly and midge larvae and aquatic worms known as oligochaetes can all figure prominently into bass feeding. As summer approaches, newly hatched clouds of baby gamefish, shad, shiners and bullheads enliven the menu.

Matching Movement Over Shape

As predatory opportunists, bass eat them all. And yet, while matching prevailing hatches with lifelike lures can appeal visually to bass—particularly in clear water and especially for smallmouth bass—angling success often stems from lively lure movements rather than body shape alone. In short, a generalist forage profile and silhouette, such as a black Micro TRD™, marabou jig or a green pumpkin Tiny TicklerZ™ will induce bites in almost any environment.

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