Byron Velvick: Mastering Late Spring and Early Summer Bass Fishing with Lipless Crankbaits
The late spring to early summer transition is a prime time for bass anglers. Bass are active, but targeting trophy-class fish requires precision and strategy. One of the most effective techniques during this period is fishing the shad spawn and leveraging lipless crankbaits, such as those from Livingston Lures, to capitalize on bass feeding frenzies. Here’s a comprehensive guide to mastering this dynamic season.
Understanding the Shad Spawn
The shad spawn is a key event during late spring and early summer, typically occurring in the early morning hours. Shad, a primary forage for bass, spawn around hard structures and vertical cover, creating a feeding opportunity for bass. Identifying these areas is critical:
Marinas and Boat Docks: Look for corners of docks, floating docks, or areas with algae and foam. These are hotspots for shad activity.
Natural Structures: Stumps, big trees, rock walls, bluff walls, and bridge pylons attract spawning shad.
Man-Made Structures: Dam intakes or any hard objects like poles or posts in the water are ideal.
Timing: The shad spawn peaks at dawn and typically slows by 9–10 a.m. when the sun rises. If you spot shad during the day, return the next morning to catch the spawn in full swing.
When you find a shad spawn, it’s unmistakable—ripples on the water’s surface resemble rain as shad aggressively spawn. Bass capitalize on this, making it a prime time to fish.
Why Lipless Crankbaits?
Lipless crankbaits, like Livingston’s Pro Ripper, excel during the shad spawn and beyond due to their versatility and unique features. Livingston’s baits incorporate electronic baitfish sound technology, mimicking distressed prey as the lure falls, triggering more strikes than standard lipless baits. Here’s how to use them effectively:
Match the Hatch: Select a bait size and color that mimics the local forage. For shad, choose smaller or larger baits based on the size of the baitfish. Bluegill patterns work well around grass beds or flats during bluegill spawning.
Retrieve Technique: Cast over shad spawn areas, holding the rod high to keep the bait in the strike zone. Use a “burn and pause” retrieve—reel quickly, then pause to let the bait flutter down, emitting distress sounds. This mimics a struggling baitfish, enticing bass to strike.
Cover Water: For bluegill beds or large flats, saturation cast to cover more ground. For shad spawns, use precise casts targeting specific structures like dock corners or trees.
Key Areas to Target
Beyond shad spawns, bass transition from spawning to feeding heavily before summer. Focus on:
Vertical Cover and Hard Objects: Docks, pylons, stumps, and rock formations remain productive as bass ambush baitfish.
Grass Beds and Flats: As bass move from spring spawning to summer patterns, they feed on bluegill and shad in grassy areas or open flats.
Transitional Zones: Target areas where bass move from shallow spawning grounds to deeper summer habitats.
Equipment Setup
To maximize success with lipless crankbaits, use the right gear:
Rod: A 6’8” to 7’3” medium-action rod (ideally 7’) with a soft tip absorbs shock from aggressive strikes. Shorter rods offer better control for precise casts.
Reel: A high-speed reel (7.1:1 to 8.1:1 gear ratio) allows for fast retrieves while still enabling pauses.
Line:
Fluorocarbon (12–15 lb test): Ideal for most situations, offering sensitivity and sinking properties to keep the bait in the strike zone.
Braid (15–17 lb test): Use in heavy grass to cut through vegetation.
Bait Selection: Livingston’s Pro Ripper or flat-sided lipless baits in shad or bluegill patterns are excellent choices.
Color and Pattern Selection
Choosing the right color depends on water clarity and forage:
Clear Water:
Natural shad colors (transparent or Ginren).
Bluegill patterns for grass beds or flats.
Stained/Dirty Water:
Darker colors like reds (crawfish patterns, e.g., Gunnersville Craw) or blacks.
High-visibility colors like sexy shad, Alabama shad, clowns, or bone for better visibility.
Forage-Based Choices:
If bass are targeting crawfish, opt for red hues.
For shad or bluegill, match the local baitfish color and size.
Tactical Approaches
Shad Spawn: Use precise casting to target specific structures like dock corners or trees where shad are active. Park your boat at a distance and make multiple casts to the same spot, waiting for bass to strike.
Bluegill Beds or Flats: Employ saturation casting to cover large areas, especially in grassy or open water where bass hunt.
Transitional Fishing: As bass move to deeper water post-spawn, focus on flats or grass beds where they feed to regain strength before summer.
Tournament-Winning Potential
The shad spawn can be a game-changer in tournaments. Anglers who locate a strong shad spawn can catch 15–20 pounds of bass in the first hour, often securing the win before the sun fully rises. The key is finding the right spot and using a lipless crankbait to capitalize on the feeding frenzy.
Conclusion
Late spring and early summer offer some of the best bass fishing opportunities, especially during the shad spawn. By targeting vertical cover, using Livingston’s lipless crankbaits with sound technology, and matching your bait to the forage, you can unlock explosive bites. Pair this with the right equipment and tactical casting, and you’ll be well-equipped to land trophy bass during this dynamic season.
Byron Velvick