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Keys for Transition Bassin'

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Keys for Transition Bassin'

Nick Ruiz points out which baits fishermen should use when bass are neither shallow nor deep.

Keys for Transition Bassin'

Chances are that if you check the average bass angler's tackle box, they will have an arsenal of baits they use when bass are holding in deep water, and conversely, a similar-sized arsenal for when bass are up in the shallows.

This, however, leaves a small gap. What baits do they use when bass are neither shallow nor deep? In fact, if you ask an angler what baits they use when they fish for bass during the "transition" period, you will get in return a lot of blank stares.

However, the fact of the matter is, with the water warming up and bass preparing to move from their deep-water habitats of winter to their springtime spawning flats, this transition stage will be something you'll have to deal with very soon.

I can honestly say from firsthand experience — as well as from the moans and groans of other anglers — that fishing during the transition stage can be one of the most frustrating times on the water. However, before we can even begin to think how we're going to catch these elusive transition bass, we must first define what exactly the transition is, just what it is that bass do during this period, and how they relate to transition structures.

Transition

Transition is basically the time from when bass hold in their deep-water winter homes to when we find them cruising the shallows in their prespawn mode. Contrary to popular belief, bass do not go directly from deep water to flats overnight. There is a given time period, depending on weather and water conditions, where bass will actually hold in place.

“ Suspending jerkbaits, as well as countdown-style sinking crankbaits … will prove to be very useful when you are probing the depths for suspended bass. ” — BASS pro Charles Stuart It is during this time that bass will school up in a variety of areas, and wait for those variables that we mentioned earlier to be just right.

Only then will we see them up on the flats, actively cruising and preparing to create beds. On a related note, you will often times hear tournament anglers saying, "The bass are starting to move up."

This, in a nutshell, is what they are referring to — the fact that because water conditions are right bass are coming up from their transition spots onto the flats and are beginning to go active. Of course, this all sounds very difficult and right about now you may be wondering just where the transition spots are on your home lake.

Rest assured, however, there is good news — regardless of whether your home water is Lake Ontario, Okeechobee or Ohmygodtheresabigone, they all have several things in common. What I have done here is listed some of the critical features that all of these spots must have in order to hold transition bass during the upcoming weeks in spring. Transition spots all have, summed up in a single phrase, "shallow-water access." That phrase alone basically describes the very principle of the transition. Bass will want to be able to hold in deeper water, but also have quality spawning areas close at hand for when the water warms and the time comes to begin spawning.

Earlier we mentioned the "they're starting to move up" phrase. Of course, many times bass will begin to move up onto their spawning grounds only to have a cold front move through, which will send them back down to their staging areas.

This upward-and-downward movement can occur several times before the bass will move up to and stay on the flats. This is where keeping an eye on the weather will prove worth its weight in bass. With that in mind, the first thing that will clue you into where you may find transition bass will be shallow-water access.

Look for areas that have deep enough water where bass can suspend, but also are directly adjacent to spawning areas, such as a gravel flat or sandbar. If you happen to know the lake you are fishing well, then chances are you will know where bass spawn. This will give you a tremendous advantage in locating such spots. However, if the water you are fishing is new, here are some more factors that will help you in locating transition areas.

Bass will often relate to cover very closely when stacking up in staging areas. This is another factor you can use to your advantage. By locating areas that not only have shallow-water access, but a decent supply of cover such as stumps as well, you can then fine tune your search even more. Stump fields, large weedbeds or even boulders will provide bass with ample cover in which they can relate to while preparing to move up or down. This illustrates why having a quality topographical map of the lake you are fishing will prove very, very valuable. Often times you can locate these spots simply by looking over the map.

Another element required for a transition spot is sunlight. Though possibly the least critical factor, sunlight translates into warming water, and areas where the water warms the most will make for good spawning areas. Therefore, they will have such transition spots nearby. Since as we all know, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the northwestern shoreline of any lake will be the first to get the sun. This means that it will also warm the fastest. Don't believe me? If you happen to have a boat with a water temperature sensor in the electronics package, check it out for yourself. There is many times as much as a 3-degree difference between shorelines. This seemingly insignificant difference can determine where the bass will be at any given time.

So with that in mind, we now have three variables that we can use in finding bass during the transition stage: immediate shallow-water access, ample cover and warm water temperature. Let's now discuss some typical areas that we might find bass stacked up on preparing for the spawn, as well as how we might go about catching them. Fishing creek and river bottoms. Since many of the lakes we fish, particularly in the northeast and upper Midwest, were once river systems before they were flooded by manmade dams, they contain an intricate network of creek and feeder creek ditches. These channels are still eroded into what now is the bottom of the lake. They also are one of the prime spots to locate bass during the transition. Because they are often times flanked by shallow water on either side, the creek ditch itself offers bass a handy place to sit in wait for the correct spawning conditions.

Another bonus is that they are fairly easy to spot on any good topographical map. A good place to start looking for them is in the arm and coves of many of the lakes we fish. You will see a noticeable depth line, or series of depth lines that will show the contours of the old creek channel that is now submerged. If you take a look at the inset map photo, you will see the highlighted creek channel. Because of its rapid depth change, bass will be able to move up to the flats, and back down into the deeper water of the creek ditch fairly easily. You will also notice some "X" shapes: these indicate the presence of stumps both in and around the creek.

We now have two variables that we discussed earlier. You will also notice that the creek here is western facing, which means added sunlight and warmth. All three! This looks to be a prime transition spot. Now that we know where they are, let's talk about targeting the bass:

When I recently asked BASS touring pro Charles Stuart about his favorite baits for targeting transition bass in a situation like this, his response was clear and concise: "You've got to know what depth they are holding at first." Depth will play a huge part in the baits you will select to target bass that are in transition. "Suspending jerkbaits, as well as countdown-style sinking crankbaits, such as those made by Ugly Duckling, will prove to be very useful when you are probing the depths for suspended bass," he added. Of course, keeping in mind that much like fishing for bass just after ice-out, you will want a bait that you can essentially hang in the strike zone for an extended period of time.

"The longer you can keep the bait in their face, the longer they will have a chance to take a swing at it," Stuart added.

"As an example, the Ugly Duckling 5S model sinking crankbait will not only give you the chance of catching fish on the fall, but will also allow you to fine tune the depth it runs at."

It will certainly take some effort to get the depth of the bait just right; however, rest assured there is some good news. Chances are when you happen upon a spot that holds bass in transition, there usually isn't just one. There are often times literally hundreds of bass stacked up in one area.

"Be sure to pay attention to what depth the fish strike your bait at, as they will tell you where they want it," concluded Stuart.

Another important point that I've noticed is that many times the angle in which the bait is presented will make a huge difference. Try both running the bait parallel to the creek channel, as well as directly across it.

Coves and bay entrances.
Coves and bay entrances are more classic examples of spots where bass will stack up. We all know that when the weather warms, we always seem to find bass sitting on beds in shallow bays and coves. Well, then logic dictates that their staging spots must be somewhat nearby. The mouths of shallow bays and coves provide great access to prime spawning grounds, but also contain water deep enough for the bass to suspend in. Depending on the size of the bay or cove, there may be specific spots in and around that entrance where the fish will concentrate.

Back to the depth map we go, looking for things that might make bass hold to one area.

Cover such as stumps and boulders are dead giveaways; however, if they are not present, look for where the topographical lines come close together. Those lines illustrate a rapid change of depth. Oftentimes just a ledge or drop-off will be enough to give bass something to relate to. Also, if the creek entrance is flanked by a submerged point, such as one covered with stumps or rocks, then you have a second place to continue your search for transition bass.

Both the highlighted drop-off, as well as the point are two places that you could run your baits to check for suspending bass. Once again, having experience on the lake will help, as you will know which coves and bays contain spawning fish, however, these two features would be enough for me to check this spot out.

"Don't hesitate to Carolina rig a bait that is extremely buoyant," says Stuart.

"Either a floating crankbait, or floating french fry-style bait will both prove to be very effective.

"You will be able to cover a lot of water fairly quickly, as well as vary the depth that your bait runs at, at any given time."

"Just like when fishing the creek channels, depth will prove to be a very important factor in getting the bass to strike a bait."

"A lot of people don't own them, but a floating Rat-L-Trap will prove to be a very effective choice of lures in this situation."

Because bass are all stacked up in one general area, they will also hold at about the same depth. Once you find the depth the bass are striking at, make a mental note of it and continue to run your bait at that depth. Chances are you have hit upon the magic depth and will continue to catch bass there.

Given all these factors and variables, there is certainly no denying the fact that bass can be difficult to find and catch during the transition period. However, with the given set of variables above, it should help narrow your search quite a bit.

Once again, there is no perfect lure for fishing transition; however, lures that function on the principles such as the ones that we discussed will be far more effective.

In short, the best thing you can do is to get yourself a copy of contour map of the lake you are fishing, and begin your search there.

Eventually you will see patterns within patterns develop, and, as a result, you will be better able to target transition bass.

Even so, with the basics in mind, you will often times wind up boating bass when your buddies are burning the bank, trying to catch bass that simply aren't there yet.

Now when you get back to the dock, simply inform them that the bass are in "transition" and watch the quizzical expressions you get as you walk away the pro of the day!

Nick Ruiz