Do you know any freshwater bass fisherfolk? Yes? Then they need your understanding and help right now.
You may be wondering why you aren’t seeing much of them lately. When you do see them, you may be wondering why they can’t seem to follow your train of thought or carry on a meaningful conversation.
Trust me, they are usually capable of cognitive communication, but their topic options are severely limited just now. You see, this is the prime season for freshwater bass fishing, and it is difficult for them to think of anything else.
Just a bit of biology is helpful. During late winter, freshwater bass move (well, they swim, really, but we always say they move) into shallow water. They need to tie on the feed bag and prepare for the annual spawning party. Bass don’t get many opportunities to party socially, and they like to be fat and feisty before the party starts. That is exactly what bass fisherfolk wait for.
Highly specialized fishing equipment comes out of hiding about now, and is carefully maintained, cleaned, lubricated, sharpened, and then practiced with until the confidence comes back.
Then there are the bass boats. I once wrote an article to ask our local leaders to help find a way to bring the muscle cars out of our garages and onto legal drag strips. Many of our garages also house another muscle machine — bass boats.
These are fascinating and highly specialized vessels. The most noticeable feature of a bass boat is what appears to be a gross mismatch between boat and engine. Remember seeing drag strip-muscle cars with engines so big that hoods had to be removed, and holes cut in the fenders? Bass boats look like the water-borne equivalent of a dragster.
There is one extremely important reason for a small boat with little water resistance, to require something like a 300 HP 4-stroke engine, with aftermarket propellors designed for extreme speed. That reason? Isn’t it obvious? That bass angler wants to be the first one across a lake to get to a fish.
Is it necessary to cross the lake? Not at all. There are bass on both sides of the lake. In fact, there are bass within casting distance of the launching ramp, and under the docks of the marinas, but those don’t count, because a muscle-bound bass boat is on a mission to scream across a lake and look good doing it. Get it?
This part is addressed to the bass fisherfolk: Remember that family and friends still love and need you. Obviously, they don’t understand and appreciate your passion, but they probably try. Please attempt to include them in your plans.
One thought is for them to drive up to Lake Cachuma or Casitas to meet you with a picnic lunch. They probably do not want to wait in line with you an hour before the lake opens, and wait until the lake closes to come home. But you might consider taking a break from fishing at mid-day, to join the family for a picnic.
Fair?
— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
