Filling A Limit:
February Monsters
by Bruce Callis Jr
February can be a killer month. Sometimes snow can produce some awful times getting out on the water and sometimes its just so cold. But it can also be the time of the biggest bass of the year. So what do we do? I’m going fishing!
So what do we need to think about? Water clarity and temperature are the big things. And sometimes we have muddy or stained water from the rain and snow melt. And the sun is going to warm the water in the shallows and the surface of the water. The fish should be taking advantage of this and be up shallow in the water column.
Fish will be holding tight to cover and we need to make sure we target those areas.
For me this means a couple different baits. The first is a jig. I can work in as tight as I want to the cover and really present a big offering to the bass. I’m going to go with a Missile Baits Ike Mini Flip in either Bruiser or Black Neon and depending on how much action I want either a D Bomb or Mini D Chunk in a matching color. Lots of repeated casts at different angles covering everywhere I can think they are hiding. Sometimes its all about putting it right in front of there face. Or as we say, “hit them in the head!”
The next bait I like to throw is a spinnerbait. I like a single bladed Colorado blade in either white, black, or black/blue. And I like the blade to be painted the same color to match. It gives the bass something to really hone into and then see it as they get closer. Make sure to cast as close to your targets and make repeated casts. Some like a bladed jig better and can be used in the same way.
And finally a squarebill crankbait that rattles and for me it’s the SPRO Hunter Crank 65 SB. You want it to run into the cover and make noise so the bass can hear it. Pick some dark colors like Blue Gill, Chartreuse Black Back, Chartreuse Blue or Spring Craw. Long casts around cover, rocks, and stumps.
Now for clear or slightly stained water we need a totally different set of baits. Since we are late winter and getting close to the pre-spawn time of year, the bass will still be holding off the drop offs or out in deeper water most of the time. There will always be some bass holding up in the shallows, but the big ones are usually deeper.
A suspending jerkbait is still one of my favorites right now. I can cover a lot of water, targeting where I think they will be holding the most. Just remember, the colder the water the longer the pause, the warmer the water, the shorter the pause. Counting is the only way to stay consistent on your pause and make sure to jerk it on a slack line.
For me, the lipless crankbait is still a bait I will have tied on. I can cover a ton of water and it will produce some of those big monster bass. On bright, sunny days I like one with a lot of flash or one with a more natural look to it.. Here I like some like the SPRO Aruku Shad in Chrome Blue, Chrome Black, Gold Black, Green Shiner, Nugget, Magic Shad or Nasty Shad. On cloudy days, I like either a bright color or a dark color. Something like a Western Chartreuse Black Back, Purple Rain, Pearl White, or even Spring Craw. Its all about making long casts and covering water.
Now if it the water has warmed up a little into the low 50s, there is also the fact that the bass can start to move towards the spawning areas. That doesn’t mean they are on the flats, just moving toward those areas.
A spinnerbait is also something I am going to have tied on. Here I like either a big willow blade with a small Colorado blade or a double willow blade. Making casts around any cover available and around any submerged stumps and laydowns. I like to use a trailer like a Missile Baits 3.5 Shockwave or a 3.5 Spunk Shad depending on if I want a little tail thump or not. It is a proven bass catching weapon since it was first invented.
February can be a fun time to fish. And it can be miserable with the weather. You have to be prepared for it. And be prepared for those big bass that are just waiting to be caught. Go have fun and share those catches with us!
