Casting practice

Jerkbait comparison: Bomber Long A vs. Rapala Shadow Rap.

I social distanced myself away to fish a river for smallmouth bass for the first time this year.  Surprisingly in my "secret spot," I encountered a guy walking his dog.  I've seen maybe two or three people ever here, and this one time where everybody should be hunkering down in their houses, somebody is out and about.

After almost 80 degrees on Friday, the weather had cooled off a bunch, which I was afraid might affect the bite.  Water was fairly clear and 50 degrees and skies were mostly sunny.

I started off with a Bomber Long A jerkbait (see below) and a Z-Man Finesse TRD worm and didn't have any bites or follows.  I snagged a couple worms on the bottom and switched to a Reaction Innovations Little Dipper figuring it would be easier to control it, i.e., not snagging it.  Still nothing, so I moved to another section.

After a few casts, I felt a hit on the Little Dipper, set the hook and started reeling.  The fish jumped -- a smallmouth, maybe 10 inches -- but got off a few feet before I could land it.  But an almost-fish on the first fishing expedition of the year is still better than nothing.

After awhile, I switched to a Rapala Shadow Rap.  No bites on that, but a smallmouth did follow the lure back.

I called it quits after around two hours.  It was one of those things where it felt like the fish were almost ready to cooperate before a spring smallmouth frenzy if water temps would only climb a few degrees.

I've mentioned a few times about buying a bunch of jerkbaits in ... jeez, 2018 ... and comparing the different lures.  Today I packed a Bomber Long A, and first impressions were ... I wasn't impressed.  I like jerkbaits that suspend in place on the pause, but the Bomber rose to the surface too fast.  To me the standard on jerkbaits is the Rapala Shadow Rap, and it's not just because I caught my biggest smallmouth on one.  Using the standard jerk-jerk-pause and count to five, and the Rapala barely rises up.

Maybe next weekend will require more social distancing.  Also in two weeks, Karen and I are going to fish with Jason Shay of Susquehanna Smallmouth Solutions.  Pennsylvania says hunting and fishing is "essential" during these times for providing food, so the fishing trip won't ge canceled.