ANGLING TIPS Jack Wollitz

Six area bass anglers seeking to jumpstart their spring fishing ventured south before Easter to Buggs Island Reservoir with visions of big bass dancing on their lines.
Journeying to the 60,000-acre impoundment on the Virginia-North Carolina border were Bob Bowman, Jim Hamilton, Jim Guzman, Ron Voitus, Steve Zarbaugh and myself. Unfortunately, a cold weather system also went along for the ride.
So with strong winds under a piercing bluebird sky, we set out to solve the age-old riddle: how to catch bass in harsh cold front conditions. Here's what we learned:
Southern bass react more negatively to cold fronts compared to their Ohio cousins. Water temperatures ranged into the upper 50s during the front - not terribly uncomfortable - but the fish hunkered down and were reluctant to bite. The bass pulled back from the flats, relating instead to areas where they could retreat with a few fin strokes to deeper water.
Under the exceedingly bright sky, the fish were lurking in murky water and places where wind piled waves into wood and brush.
When the weather stabilized (last day of our trip, of course), the bass immediately returned to behavior more normal for spring. After the front passed, shallow coves and pockets quickly zoomed up into the low to mid-60s and we saw lots of fish cruising.
The best places to catch them were areas where the wind blew into them, creating current to wash the food chain toward the bass and waves to break up the mid-day sunlight.
And to prove that spring had finally sprung, "Buzzin'" Bob Bowman hooked up with several bass on his favorite buzzbait.
Not bad - but certainly not great - considering the conditions. Now it's time to get them here in Ohio.
jwwollitz@aol.com