Our local bass 'masters' speak
In my last column, I raised the question, why are our warm-water species becoming so popular …and promised I would get some inside info from local experts.
A lot of times, anglers aren’t very willing to give up their hard-earned knowledge, but when I approached several of our local “Bass Guys,” their excitement overcame any instincts they might have to keep a secret, and they flat LOVE to talk bass fishing.
A lot of these guys, me included, grew up watching the fishing shows of the time on TV, and most of those shows centered on bass. Bill Dance, “fish kisser” Jimmy Houston, The Lindner brothers — all Saturday morning heroes. You see, we can now be those guys, and decades of study are now paying off.
I kind of knew that talking to the tournament guys, especially now during the tournament season, might be a bit bold, even though our local bass tournament organizers will help any newcomer that shows up. Instead, I went and talked to the guys at the tackle shops.
The guys who work the counters sell what works for them and can tell you not just what to use, but how to use it. Of course, they will do this for all the various local fish and techniques, but I sense a little something more when it comes to talking about bass.
All the major fishing departments in the valley have expanded their selection of tackle for bass fishing. Chancy Jeschke, Fishing Department manager at Snappy Sport Senter in Evergreen, has developed a selection of items for the local bass scene that is simply amazing. Not only that, but he also recently expanded his staff to include a couple of the top bass anglers in the valley, and they all have their own techniques and styles.
Kirk Rasmussen and Mike Vinson are multi-species guys. But bass are a passion that is obvious. Both shared ideas for bass that are coming off their spawning beds now. “Early and late in the day right now,” Rasmussen says, is top water time. “Frogs and other soft baits are awesome,”
Vinson agrees and shows me a Rapala Skitter Walk hard bait that he is currently having success with. “I’m all about mixing it up, drop-shotting Pete’s Tackle ‘Crappie Candy’ and fishing worms ‘Wacky Style’ helps me cover water until I find the fish.” Both of them are eager to share their personal choices and one would be wise to listen.
Across town, at The Sportsman & Ski Haus, there is a revamp of the fishing department underway as well, and greater variety will be the result. I stopped in to talk to the “Bass Guy” and Grady Floyd was summoned. “It’s all about soft plastics,” Floyd explained. “Yum brand Senko’s and Lizards and Zoom Super Flukes. Extra salt doesn’t hurt either.”
Well-known national brands as well as their own lines dominate the shelves at Cabelas and you will of course find a very broad range of bass tackle there, but it is hard to improve on what local tackle maker Pete Jellar of Pete’s Tackle Shop is making right here in Kalispell. Pete has been making tackle for a long time, but more importantly, has been fishing these waters all his life. He knows what colors, styles, and presentations work and everyone who fishes Petes stuff agrees — it flat works.
Bass are not new to the valley; they have been here for quite a while. Certainly not native, and at times controversial, they offer great sport, good eating and the opportunity to feel like a legend. If the urge to kiss one before releasing it occurs, well, just blame it on the TV.
Howe runs Howes Fishing/A Able Charters here in the Flathead.For more information check out their website at www.howesfishing.com or call 406-257-5214.