Smallmouth bass feeding on shiners in the shallows. Shiner minnows inhabit the shallow gravel bars and offer one of the most exciting forms of fly fishing a serious angler can find.
In low light situations such as at dawn, dusk and in slightly discolored water the bass move onto the one to three foot deep gravel bars to feed on the schools of shiner minnows which are always there. However, even in the low light levels the bass apparently are not comfortable in this shallow water for extended time periods. Consequently they feed on the shiner minnows in a hit and run manner. That is, they rush onto the gravel bars and grab as many minnows as they can in 5 to 10 seconds.
This feeding spree is manifested to us in what I call a CHASE. We seldom see the bass as they feed on the shiners but we clearly see the schools of dozens of them as they splash across the shallows to evade the bass. Experience has shown me that it is important to be very cautious when fishing the chase. Here is a tactic which works well for me. When you spot the shiners splashing away from the bass I instantly cast a shiner fly such as a Silver Outcast three feet out in front of the fleeing minnows and strip it rapidly through the minnows. My hope is that the bass will see my fly broadside as an easy target and will take it quickly. Since the chase only last a few seconds I’ve found that I can make two more searching casts in the area of the chase with a good chance of catching him. However, if I continue to make many casts there I scare the bass and he leaves the shallows. A better ploy is to hold my casts, for in many cases he will take up another chase in about five minutes. This time I’m ready for him and I can shoot my cast out in front of minnows with a good chance of taking him.
Not only is fishing the CHASE a great amount of fun but usually these are some of the largest bass.
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