Heppner gazette-times., September 14, 2005, Page PAGE - 3, Image 15

2005 Welcome Hunters! PA G E- 3
ON THE WATER
With Larry Nixon
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIME FOR BASS
It’s Septem ber, and the kids are already back in the classroom . But did you
know that it’s during this time o f year that bass will go back to school, too? Back
to schools o f baitfish, that is. T hat’s because there are huge clouds o f baitfish
everyw here. The baitfish that hatched earlier in the year are now the ideal size
for bass forage. And som etim es during the day, bass will tear through these
schools devouring as many as they can. W hen bass are targeting schools o f
baitfish like this, they can make easy targets for anglers.
To make this happen, you need to find the schools - and it's easier than you
think. Com bine good electronics, good instincts and a heavy focus on cover near
deep water and it’s likely you'll find a school of baitfish. Keep in mind, though,
that later in the m onth (depending on what part o f the country you are in) these
schools will be m igrating up rivers and the backs o f coves. But until then, they
will be in deep water - and the bass will be laying in cover (boat docks, standing
tim ber) nearby waiting for the right tim e to feed. So the object o f the game is
coaxing these prolific predators into biting in betw een meals.
If I see baitfish schooling or see bass engaged in a feeding frenzy it really
sim plifies things for me. I just go to the nearest cover. They m ight not be right
there at that m om ent but they are close and m ost likely they w on’t be actively
feeding. T hat’s why we have to work a little harder to get them to bite. Try
downsizing your line and slowing down your presentation if the fish seem finicky.
W hen targeting bass like this, I like a small swim bait such as a Berkley 3-inch
Pow er Pogy or a 5-inch Pow erBait Jerk Shad — but a lot o f different baits will
do fine. The m urkier the water the heavier the line you can use, but try to use as
light a line as you think you can get away with.
This can be one o f the best tim es o f the year to load up on plenty of healthy,
hungry bass. It might take a little work - and a little luck — but with a little
fishing savvy and the right baits you can get it done.
(HandaCC iE - (MarCene C. (Peterson
/
‘P eterson’s I
*
t i
J e w e lers/
Something From
The Jewelers Is Always
........
Something Special
Qoid ~ (Mimosa ÇCassivart
~
147C QoCd
177 N. Main, Heppner • 676-9200
t*t a. 'prcesttCCif.
S>ettc*t<y
Monday & Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. & 2-5:30 p.m.
Thursday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 2-7:30 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
After hour emergencies: 676-5440
2 7 4 North Main Street, Heppner • 6 7 6 - 5 4 4 0
Larry Nixon is a former Bassmaster Classic champion with more than $1.5
million in career earnings on the BASS Tour. Nixon lives with his wife and
three children in Bee Branch, Ark.
Camp Firewood?
Firewood for campfires on National
Forest lands is free. A woodcutting permit
is not necessary when
collecting wood for a camp­
fire. However, if the wood is
being gathered for home
use or if you plan to trans­
port leftover firewood home,
you will need to purchase a
woodcutting permit.
Permits and maps with
designated woodcutting
areas are available at any Forest Service office.
Campers should use only dead wood for campfires
and utilize down wood when available. And remember,
never leave a campfire unattended, even a warming fire.
It’s not only dangerous; it’s against the law.
Check to see if there are current Public-Use Restric­
tions prohibiting the use of chainsaws and campfires. To
obtain the current Public-Use Restrictions, please call:
Umatilla National Forest
1 877 958-9663
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at the corner o f Highways 74 and 207, I^xington
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