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John N. Felsher's Bass Fishing Adventures
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In tidal areas, sometimes anglers
just need to go with the flow
just need to go with the flow
TOP: Tommy Pellegrin
fishes near a cut in the
marshes of
southwestern
Louisiana. Bass often
wait at the mouths of
such cuts for tide,
current or wind to
move food to them.
RIGHT: Jeff Bruhl
shows off some of the
bounty of the
Louisiana marshes off
West Pearl River near
Slidell, La. In many
places, the ranges of
redfish and bass
overlap and anglers
can catch both on the
same lures.
fishes near a cut in the
marshes of
southwestern
Louisiana. Bass often
wait at the mouths of
such cuts for tide,
current or wind to
move food to them.
RIGHT: Jeff Bruhl
shows off some of the
bounty of the
Louisiana marshes off
West Pearl River near
Slidell, La. In many
places, the ranges of
redfish and bass
overlap and anglers
can catch both on the
same lures.
Among the most fertile habitats in North America, river delta marshes
can host untold numbers of creatures because fresh water mixes with salt
water to spawn a smorgasbord of life.
Heavy salt water sinks to the bottom while a freshwater layer “floats” on
top. Where different water types mix, marine and aquatic species can often
coexist in a brackish stew. Tolerant of some salt water, largemouth bass
can feed next to redfish, gorging themselves on the best forage from both
worlds. They grow fat eating crabs, shrimp, frogs, crawfish, menhaden,
minnows, mullets, shad, sunfish and other morsels.
In river deltas, tides dictate everything. During an incoming tide, bass
and aquatic species may retreat to sweeter water upstream. During an
outgoing tide, water may drain from the marshes, causing bass to drop into
the main channels. In addition, tidal currents stimulate fish activity and
reposition fish. During falling water, bass may hold on one side of an
obstruction. A few hours later, they may shift to the other side as tide rises.
“Since tide might run one way in the morning and in another direction a
few hours later, fish change positions,” said Denny Brauer, a former
Bassmaster Classic champion. “It takes a little experience to learn how to
fish in a current situation, but once one learns how to do it, it’s the easiest
fishing around. It’s very visual and obvious where fish should be.”
During a falling tide, enormous quantities of baitfish, shrimp, crabs and
other forage literally flow to predators. Marshy lagoons typically connect to
main channels through tiny streams. At these openings, bass habitually
congregate in great numbers. They face upstream to snatch whatever
washes toward them.
“When tides fall, many shallow areas drain,” said Sam Swett, a
professional bass angler. “Baitfish get in these shallow areas to hide from
predators, but when tide falls, these areas become dry. Falling water
flushes baitfish and other creatures into deeper channels. Fish and bait
coming out of shallow ponds must pass through small ditches that open into
deeper water. It’s like a fish funnel. Bass wait there to eat whatever they
can grab.”
During a falling tide, fish a soft plastic shrimp imitation, such as a DOA
or Old Bayside at the mouth of these drains. If possible, use no weight.
Simply insert the hook into the plastic and toss it upstream. Allow the bait
to flow downstream naturally. Use the reel only to take up slack, but
occasionally, pop the lure back to the surface like a natural shrimp washed
out of the lagoon.
Also throw natural-colored crankbaits, jerkbaits or spinnerbaits as far
upstream as possible and work them slowly with the current to mimic natural
forage. Bounce them along the bottom or against obstructions. When a bait
hits an obstruction, pause. Spinnerbaits “helicopter” down while crankbaits
back up and float to the surface. Where water drops into the main
channels, helicopter spinnerbaits to the bottom and slow-roll them out.
If that doesn’t work, flip Texas-rigged worms or jigs around the drop-off
edges. Many small tributaries form miniature deltas with flats on one side
and deeper channels on the other. Also work these baits where the
tributary drops into deeper water at the main channel. Look for slack spots
along the channel edge where currents form small eddies.
“On many tidal rivers, we ‘run the tides,’” Swett said. “It takes a while for
tides to reach upper sections of a big river. On a falling tide, I start fishing
in the delta. When the tide stops falling, I run 20 or so miles upriver ahead
of the tide where water is still falling. That way, I’ll fish moving water for
longer periods instead of waiting for the tide to start again.”
During rising tides, water floods into backwaters, often muddying it. In
muddy water, bass typically hold extremely tight to structure. Slow-roll big
noisy Colorado-bladed spinnerbaits or rattling crankbaits as tight to cover
as possible.
“In a muddy environment, I zero in on water two to five feet deep,” said
Bill Dance, a legendary professional angler. “In muddy water, fish become
more object oriented. I use baits that shake, rattle and roll. I fish single-
bladed spinnerbaits and wobbling crankbaits. I also make repeated casts
to the same spot. The fish hears the sound and starts looking for the
source of that sound. If I throw it back to the same spot again and again,
the fish can home in on the source of the sound.”
Bass that live in tidal areas might not reach the size of their inland
cousins, but they make up for it with their aggressive nature. They usually
put up a good fight since they battle currents every day. With so much
forage available, they look like little footballs and can provide incredible
excitement on light tackle.
can host untold numbers of creatures because fresh water mixes with salt
water to spawn a smorgasbord of life.
Heavy salt water sinks to the bottom while a freshwater layer “floats” on
top. Where different water types mix, marine and aquatic species can often
coexist in a brackish stew. Tolerant of some salt water, largemouth bass
can feed next to redfish, gorging themselves on the best forage from both
worlds. They grow fat eating crabs, shrimp, frogs, crawfish, menhaden,
minnows, mullets, shad, sunfish and other morsels.
In river deltas, tides dictate everything. During an incoming tide, bass
and aquatic species may retreat to sweeter water upstream. During an
outgoing tide, water may drain from the marshes, causing bass to drop into
the main channels. In addition, tidal currents stimulate fish activity and
reposition fish. During falling water, bass may hold on one side of an
obstruction. A few hours later, they may shift to the other side as tide rises.
“Since tide might run one way in the morning and in another direction a
few hours later, fish change positions,” said Denny Brauer, a former
Bassmaster Classic champion. “It takes a little experience to learn how to
fish in a current situation, but once one learns how to do it, it’s the easiest
fishing around. It’s very visual and obvious where fish should be.”
During a falling tide, enormous quantities of baitfish, shrimp, crabs and
other forage literally flow to predators. Marshy lagoons typically connect to
main channels through tiny streams. At these openings, bass habitually
congregate in great numbers. They face upstream to snatch whatever
washes toward them.
“When tides fall, many shallow areas drain,” said Sam Swett, a
professional bass angler. “Baitfish get in these shallow areas to hide from
predators, but when tide falls, these areas become dry. Falling water
flushes baitfish and other creatures into deeper channels. Fish and bait
coming out of shallow ponds must pass through small ditches that open into
deeper water. It’s like a fish funnel. Bass wait there to eat whatever they
can grab.”
During a falling tide, fish a soft plastic shrimp imitation, such as a DOA
or Old Bayside at the mouth of these drains. If possible, use no weight.
Simply insert the hook into the plastic and toss it upstream. Allow the bait
to flow downstream naturally. Use the reel only to take up slack, but
occasionally, pop the lure back to the surface like a natural shrimp washed
out of the lagoon.
Also throw natural-colored crankbaits, jerkbaits or spinnerbaits as far
upstream as possible and work them slowly with the current to mimic natural
forage. Bounce them along the bottom or against obstructions. When a bait
hits an obstruction, pause. Spinnerbaits “helicopter” down while crankbaits
back up and float to the surface. Where water drops into the main
channels, helicopter spinnerbaits to the bottom and slow-roll them out.
If that doesn’t work, flip Texas-rigged worms or jigs around the drop-off
edges. Many small tributaries form miniature deltas with flats on one side
and deeper channels on the other. Also work these baits where the
tributary drops into deeper water at the main channel. Look for slack spots
along the channel edge where currents form small eddies.
“On many tidal rivers, we ‘run the tides,’” Swett said. “It takes a while for
tides to reach upper sections of a big river. On a falling tide, I start fishing
in the delta. When the tide stops falling, I run 20 or so miles upriver ahead
of the tide where water is still falling. That way, I’ll fish moving water for
longer periods instead of waiting for the tide to start again.”
During rising tides, water floods into backwaters, often muddying it. In
muddy water, bass typically hold extremely tight to structure. Slow-roll big
noisy Colorado-bladed spinnerbaits or rattling crankbaits as tight to cover
as possible.
“In a muddy environment, I zero in on water two to five feet deep,” said
Bill Dance, a legendary professional angler. “In muddy water, fish become
more object oriented. I use baits that shake, rattle and roll. I fish single-
bladed spinnerbaits and wobbling crankbaits. I also make repeated casts
to the same spot. The fish hears the sound and starts looking for the
source of that sound. If I throw it back to the same spot again and again,
the fish can home in on the source of the sound.”
Bass that live in tidal areas might not reach the size of their inland
cousins, but they make up for it with their aggressive nature. They usually
put up a good fight since they battle currents every day. With so much
forage available, they look like little footballs and can provide incredible
excitement on light tackle.
