Follow-Up Bait Key to Early Spring Trout or Bass
Fishing in Utah always brings me back to trout. But, because my first love is bass fishing I continue to experiment with bass lures to catch trout. Over the years, I have developed several “plans” that help me catch a lot of trout. Last weekend one of those plans came together and turned a slow morning into a very great time on the water. Let’s take a look at this method.
Two baits that are considered “bass lures” make up much of my tackle on every trout fishing trip, Gitzits and jerkbaits. I generally use them throughout the late spring, summer, and fall. But now, I can add early spring to the timeline. For many who read my articles frequently know that Rapala and Luckycraft jerkbaits make up much of my arsenal along with Gitzits from Canyon Plastics in colors ranging from white to green or even black.
One technique that works well even when fish are reluctant to bite is called a “follow up” technique. to fish a “follow up” there are two rods on the deck of my boat. One is a jerkbait rod and the second, a Gitizit rod. After locating fish on my electronics, and armed with polarized (Cocoon) sunglasses to cut glare, I cast the jerkbait and watch it intently, pausing from time to time to let it suspend in the water column. I am looking for curious trout to come around my lure. With very few exceptions, even if I don’t get a bite, trout will eventually show themselves and approach the lure as it comes back to the boat.
While at our cabin near Flaming Gorge last weekend, I spent a few hours on the water and experienced some pretty slow fishing. I watched several curious rainbows follow and even circle my jerkbait but for some reason they would not bite. Every once in a while a trout would “tick” the lure but did it in a way that made it impossible to set the hook. After several casts, I realized that something about the size, shape, or color of my presentation wasn’t “selling” the fish on the lure.
I decided to use the “follow-up” technique to catch those lure-shy fish. A tiny, green Gitzit was tied on my second rod and kept at-the-ready to cast into any area in which there were visible fish that wouldn’t hit the jerkbait. Within a few seconds of making my first “follow up” cast with the Gitzit, an 18-inch rainbow casually swam over and inhaled the small bait. I spent the rest of the morning locating schools of fish (suspended in 10 to 15 feet of water) on my fish finder and then attracting the trout using the jerkbait, and catching them with the Gitzit.
On Lake Powell, Lake Mead, or even Lake Havasu, the follow up technique works extremely well right up to and sometimes including the spawn. Many times, a spawning bass will “hit” the jerkbait but not “smash” the lure. When I feel the tick I immediately throw out the Gitzit and allow it to settle down right underneath where the jerkbait passed. At times, the Gitzit settles right on top of the bed and the bass attacks the Gitzit.
Deer Creek, Jordanelle, or any other reservoir that is free of ice offers similar opportunities to catch early-spring trout, and even possibly some early spring bass. But, there are a couple of additional things to remember. You must first locate fish and then must be able to carefully watch each cast. Also, after seeing the fish near the jerkbait you must quickly reel in and cast the Gitzit beyond where you spotted the trout, allowing the Gitzit to slowly sink towards the curious fish.
Target south-facing points and bays. The water in these exposed areas warm quicker than others, so (especially in the spring) remember that not all shorelines or bays are created equal. Also, try to fish near deeper banks with steeper slopes entering the water. Each bay should be fished from the outside point all the way to the back. Trout or bass can be anywhere from the outer most point to the center of the back, as long as the bay is deep.
I caught an average of 5 fish an hour using the follow-up technique, and without the Gitzit I may not have caught a single fish. Please consider this proven “plan” on your next fishing adventure.
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