“Fall is one of the best times to fish plastics on Strike as the bass are really eating heavily on the lake’s ample forage base,” says Shores. “In September through November, these fish are fat like footballs as they are stocking up on groceries for the winter. I think this is a really good indicator of how healthy the fishery here at C.J. Strike is.” “During the fall, I concentrate most of my efforts in about 10-20 feet of water with tubes being one of my favorite baits. Again, crawfish patterns do well. Hopping Jigs or Texas rigged grubs or creature bait style plastics also drive the smallmouth crazy.” “If the weather gets iffy and holding boat position becomes a problem, swimming jigs like chatterbaits will give you the best of both worlds.”
At about 2,500 feet above sea level and being situated in the high desert, winter and corresponding winds pretty much shut down the lake around the beginning of November to all but the heartiest of anglers. The power trollers chasing the lake’s large trout take over and many a bass fisherman opts to lay down their rods in favor of long guns with the pursuit of fur and feather in mind.
For those who do choose to chase bass under these winter conditions, low and slow is the motto with drop shotting small plastics being the number one producer. Vertical jigging will also catch fish, but you tend to end up with a mixed bag as almost everything, trout included, will eat spoons this time of year. BWU
Summer 2013
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