The bass fishing for Nebraska is finally starting to warm and soon we'll be staking claims for those "lunker" largemouth during the spawn. You can bet, the rod builders of Cajun Custom Rods will be out there ... fishing, testing casting and spinning rods, and determining the very best custom rod components so that we can offer more "Freedom of Choice" to our customers for their custom fishing rod designs. We've been out to some of our local haunts as of late and have managed to hook up with quite a few largemouth bass and even went toe to toe with a 30-35 inch muskie in Fremont SRA Lake #20. Talk about a fantastic fight! However, in the end ... the muskie bested us for a chance at a free boat ride and picture. No worries though, we know where that muskie lives and we'll be back for more on our future fishing adventures.
Over the last few weeks, the CCR crew has taken a few outings on the weekends to try our luck on the local bass population. Weather has been back and forth between rain, sun, clouds, warm afternoons, cold mornings and nights, and wind ... yep, we've simply been running the entire gamut with old man weather over the last few weeks of May and early April 2011. However, based on what we've been throwing at the bass and how the bite has been improving I am certain that the spring spawn in Nebraska is going to light off hot and fast in the very near future ... most likely with the full moon on or about 15 May.
Water clarity has been tea/coffee-stained when the wind is blowing, but overall most of the local lakes in the vicinity of Omaha, Nebraska have been fairly clear and a few have had excellent water clarity with visibility as far as 10-25 feet. Fremont Lakes SRA (lake 20) is where we've been having the best success with 1-2.5 pound bass, but we've managed a few bass on our custom fishing rods in some of the older lakes in the Fremont Lake compound, to include a few nice 4-5 pounders in the older lakes (lakes 2 & 3).
So what are we casting to those local bass in Fremont to entice them for a free boat ride? Good thing you ask, because just like our rods at CCR ... we have no secrets and are willing to share the info with you to ensure you have the best fishing experience you can. Work the banks in tight with jerk baits (red, gold, opaque white, or rust colors) or shad raps in 2 to 8 feet of water both out from the bank or parallel/diagonal from the bank. Fish slow! I cannot stress this enough ... be patient .. the bass are there and they're getting hungrier by the day. The vast majority of our bites have felt like a tug, or as if you're pulling a wet rag through the water. When you feel that, load up and swing away ... because it will take a good hook set to ensure the bass are caught ... they're somewhat finicky and soft on the bite (most likely due to the colder water temps which are averaging from 53 degrees in late May to the now balmy 56 degrees we saw last weekend).
Additionally, we've been throwing spinner baits (small to medium sizes in the 1/4 to 3/8 ounce weights) with the key being presentation and color. We're flipping when in tight to the banks and casting soft, "no splash" drops when off the points and on clear or sandy banks. The fish are scattered right now with bass being caught in the 6-8 foot range (coming up and taking the bait) as well s coming off the banks in and around any cover, lie-downs, or timber that the environment presents. We're not quite slow rolling, but we certainly aren't burning the baits ... a nice steady retrieve on a 6:3:1 or slower reel seems to be doing the trick. below are a few picks of the guys and some of their landed fish.
So, as you can see ... the bite continues to warm with the weather. So far, we haven't seen any nests to include a lack of fish with any spawn rub or wear marks. However, the fish are moving up and beginning to stage in the shallower water. From what I know of fishing the largemouth spawn all over the U.S., I believe the "magic" combination is going to be a full may moon, stable weather in the 55-70 degree range during the days to heat up water temps to around 60 degrees and then "Booyah! The spawn is on!"
As we all hold our breath for that moment, remember, any fish caught off beds should be returned to the water ensure that the populations are continued and that we all have a few fish to catch out there ... especially for the youngsters. if you haven't practiced C.P.R. - then let me tell you how easy it is in just a few simple words: Catch. Photograph. Release. The more CPAR practiced out there the brighter our fishing is certain to be in the future. Remember, boat safe, fish hard, practice C.P.R. and whenever you can ... take a kid fishing!
Tight lines and we'll see you on the water!
Jaesen Yerger, Cajun Custom Rods
- Cajun Custom Rods - Fremont SRA Lake 2 Largemouth
Over the last few weeks, the CCR crew has taken a few outings on the weekends to try our luck on the local bass population. Weather has been back and forth between rain, sun, clouds, warm afternoons, cold mornings and nights, and wind ... yep, we've simply been running the entire gamut with old man weather over the last few weeks of May and early April 2011. However, based on what we've been throwing at the bass and how the bite has been improving I am certain that the spring spawn in Nebraska is going to light off hot and fast in the very near future ... most likely with the full moon on or about 15 May.
Water clarity has been tea/coffee-stained when the wind is blowing, but overall most of the local lakes in the vicinity of Omaha, Nebraska have been fairly clear and a few have had excellent water clarity with visibility as far as 10-25 feet. Fremont Lakes SRA (lake 20) is where we've been having the best success with 1-2.5 pound bass, but we've managed a few bass on our custom fishing rods in some of the older lakes in the Fremont Lake compound, to include a few nice 4-5 pounders in the older lakes (lakes 2 & 3).
So what are we casting to those local bass in Fremont to entice them for a free boat ride? Good thing you ask, because just like our rods at CCR ... we have no secrets and are willing to share the info with you to ensure you have the best fishing experience you can. Work the banks in tight with jerk baits (red, gold, opaque white, or rust colors) or shad raps in 2 to 8 feet of water both out from the bank or parallel/diagonal from the bank. Fish slow! I cannot stress this enough ... be patient .. the bass are there and they're getting hungrier by the day. The vast majority of our bites have felt like a tug, or as if you're pulling a wet rag through the water. When you feel that, load up and swing away ... because it will take a good hook set to ensure the bass are caught ... they're somewhat finicky and soft on the bite (most likely due to the colder water temps which are averaging from 53 degrees in late May to the now balmy 56 degrees we saw last weekend).
Additionally, we've been throwing spinner baits (small to medium sizes in the 1/4 to 3/8 ounce weights) with the key being presentation and color. We're flipping when in tight to the banks and casting soft, "no splash" drops when off the points and on clear or sandy banks. The fish are scattered right now with bass being caught in the 6-8 foot range (coming up and taking the bait) as well s coming off the banks in and around any cover, lie-downs, or timber that the environment presents. We're not quite slow rolling, but we certainly aren't burning the baits ... a nice steady retrieve on a 6:3:1 or slower reel seems to be doing the trick. below are a few picks of the guys and some of their landed fish.
- Jack's 1st Bass of 2011
- Jack and Jon - Bass Fishing 2011
- Cajun Custom Rods - Custom Fishing Rods Built to Catch Bass!
So, as you can see ... the bite continues to warm with the weather. So far, we haven't seen any nests to include a lack of fish with any spawn rub or wear marks. However, the fish are moving up and beginning to stage in the shallower water. From what I know of fishing the largemouth spawn all over the U.S., I believe the "magic" combination is going to be a full may moon, stable weather in the 55-70 degree range during the days to heat up water temps to around 60 degrees and then "Booyah! The spawn is on!"
As we all hold our breath for that moment, remember, any fish caught off beds should be returned to the water ensure that the populations are continued and that we all have a few fish to catch out there ... especially for the youngsters. if you haven't practiced C.P.R. - then let me tell you how easy it is in just a few simple words: Catch. Photograph. Release. The more CPAR practiced out there the brighter our fishing is certain to be in the future. Remember, boat safe, fish hard, practice C.P.R. and whenever you can ... take a kid fishing!
Tight lines and we'll see you on the water!
Jaesen Yerger, Cajun Custom Rods
