Sight fishing for bedding bass is a yearly occurrence that many bass anglers look forward to. Hunter Shryock is an up and coming Bassmaster Opens pro who has a passion for fishing for bass he can see. He has spent time perfecting the approach by having the right baits, learning the tendencies of each fish and doing everything he can to stay undetected.
Stealth is Key for Sight Fishing
Much is made of bait selection and how to get bass to bite, but according to Shryock being stealthy is one of the biggest keys to success when sight fishing. He goes through extreme measures to make sure he goes undetected as he approaches bedding bass.
“The first thing I will do is turn off my electronics. The constant ‘pinging’ will get let the bass know you are there,” he says and added that he will also lift his trolling motor and use a push pole when possible. “It is a lot of work with a pole to get positioned and move closer to the fish, but the trolling motor will often scare off fish.”
He will also stay back as far as possible and use the sun to his advantage. “I like the sun to my back so I am not looking right into the sun and getting the reflection in my eyes. It works the other way too because the bass will be looking right in the sun and it hides you better,” he believes.
SPAWNING BASS | MALE AND FEMALE
Fish Personalities
Shryock and others who sight fish often realize that each bass is different. This can be due to the species, the stage of spawn they are in as well as other factors.
“I can usually tell in around 30-seconds whether the fish is going to be catchable. Some fish won’t move, even when you are on the trolling motor and that is a fish that will be easier to catch,” he begins and adds there are other things he looks for. “You look at how far away they go from the bed when you get too close as well as how long it takes for them to get back on the bed.”
He uses these clues to decide how long he will fish for each individual fish as well as to see if they are even worth spending time on.
The question of whether or not to catch the male first when both the male and female are present is often debated. Some prefer to catch the male and hope the female will take on the role of protector. Shryock will do whatever he can to catch the female first, even if that means not hooking male with his bait in its mouth. “
You have a 50/50 chance of catching the female if you remove the male. She could leave completely or go to protect the nest," he says.
SIGHT FISHING BAITS
Straight Tail Worm on a Dropshot
The drop-shot rig works just about everywhere, including bedding fish.
“I use a short 5- to 6-inch leader and I think that is perfect for sight fishing; because, it is right at their eye level and is not intimidating. It imitates a bluegill or small fish coming onto the bed and they will do whatever they can to protect their nest,” says Shryock who also uses it when searching for beds. “You can cast and pitch it around as you are moving along looking for beds and catch them that way too.”
Shryock prefers a straight tail worm and has been using a new prototype worm from Berkley all spring.
“It has a straight tail and thicker tail. It also has the Gulp scent and I have seen that bass hold it much longer and that is crucial with bed fishing. A lot of times they just grab the tail and swim it off of the bed, but the scent has helped to get them to bite and hold it.”
4” Berkley Chigger Craw
The Chigger Craw is another go-to for Shyrock and he uses it across the country.
“It works great when you drag it across a bed and the appendages flutter around. The only change I make is adjusting the size of the weight I use,” he shares and says he alternates between 3/16- to 3/8-ounce tungsten weights with a Berkley Fusion19 straight shank flipping hook. “You want that bait to stay on the bottom so I will adjust the weight size based on the bottom composition. If I am fishing shallow pad stems and grass you can get away with a lighter weight.”
Berkley Havoc Pit Boss
The Pit Boss is similar to the Chigger Craw in how Shryock utilizes it when sight fishing.
“I fish it the same way, but think this does a better job of imitating a bluegill. I’ll also alternate between the two baits on the same rod, reel and hook to give the fish a different look,” says the Ohio pro.
Color Choices
Generally, Shryock keeps it simple when deciding what color soft-plastic to use. Green Pumpkin is his go-to and what he uses the majority of the time.
“If you are able to sight fish, the water is usually clear enough to see the bait,” he begins and says he will sometimes use white if the fish are not biting it well. “With a white Pit Boss, you can easily see if the fish has the whole bait in their mouth before you set the hook.”
Many think of sight fishing for bedding bass as an easier way to catch bass, but there is a certain skill required, especially when bass can see you as easily as you see them. Shryock’s approach is to select the right baits and spend time to get positioned and do whatever you can to go undetected, just like a hunter.
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