COLUMBUS, Miss. — All eyes are on the spawn by the time late spring rolls around. It just depends which one.
For the May 3 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Mississippi Division event on the Columbus Pool of the Mississippi River, anglers can forget about spawning green fish. It’s the small silver ones making babies that will be key.
This year, BFL anglers benefit from an expanded slate of Regionals, which minimizes travel costs and provides more opportunities to qualify for the $120,000 BFL All-American while fishing familiar, closer-to-home waters. Click here to find out more.
What to expect
Sometimes, things just line up perfectly for a solid event, and this one seems headed that way.
With the bass spawn pretty much done, the next wave of spawning – the shad spawn – should be in full effect come Saturday. According to Columbus native Mitch Crane, that’s going to make for some fun fishing and solid weights.
“Oh, this tournament is going to be won around some sort of visual grass,” the former Bass Pro Tour pro said. “It will either be targeting the shad spawn or fry guarders, but green grass will be key, 100 percent.”
That visual part might’ve been a problem a few days ago, as the river was a few feet high, but Crane said the water has been dropping hard. Thus, by the time the event rolls around, it should be normal water levels and favorable clarity.
Baits to bring
There are loads of 10-12 inch fish swimming around the Columbus Pool and no shortage of ways to catch them. But for anglers vying for the win, you’ll only need four baits.
“A swim jig, vibrating jig, frog and a buzzbait,” said Crane. “It’s going to get won on one of those baits, or a combination of them. A pro may not catch many fish, but they’ll be the right ones.”
What will it take?
A tournament this past weekend took 15 pounds to win, but Crane is optimistic it could take 16-17 pounds to win this derby. Why? Many of those bass should be fattened up a little more after gorging on the shad spawn.
Sign up to Fish 4 Free!
Every Phoenix Bass Fishing League angler fishing the fourth event in each division this season will receive an Abu Garcia gift pack valued at $230 for boaters and $180 for co-anglers – a value that exceeds the entry fee. It’s like Fishing 4 FREE! Plus, participants will receive a code for 25% off an order at AbuGarcia.com. Click here to sign up for the Abu Garcia Fishing 4 Free promotion, or call 270-252-1000 to take advantage of this offer. Anglers will receive their gift pack at the event.