Avoiding bass???

[voxborealis]

OK, that is a weird thread title!

 

As I have mentioned in a couple of threads last year, I have returned to fishing after a l-o-n-g time away from the sport. I mostly fist from the shore, targeting bass but really whatever bites. Pretty simple techniques: sometimes live bait (nightcrawler) but mostly inlines spinners and assorted lures. Last season, I landed some nice bass but also some really nice northern pike on spoons. I also landed a lot of blue gill and perch.

 

So my question. In my jurisdiction, bass season does not start until late June, but I certainly want to throw some lines in the water before then, once the ice melts. My worry is that from short I will accidentally target spawning bass, which is entirely not my intention. What are some strategies to avoid bass in the early season, if fishing from shore? The walleye fishing is supposed to be good here, but I have never had luck. Really, I think my main "problem" is that I have never learned how to target different species effectively. 

 

Maybe this is a bizarre question. Any advice for this returning newbie is welcome.

 

 

[Boomstick]

Well first and foremost, I wouldn't worry too much about catching a spawning bass for several reasons. First because if there is a bass bed in front of you then you'll likely see it. And second if you do catch a bass and are worried it might be a spawner, release it as quickly as possible and as you are not too far from where you caught it, it should return right to its bed.

 

I hardly fish for Walleye, but for the most part walleye fishing and smallmouth fishing are very similar. They will hit most bass lures. And likewise you can be fishing for trout, but time to time you'll get some bass too. And I've caught perch when bass fishing as well.

[jbsoonerfan]

Interesting question, some days it seems like I am intentionally avoiding them as well.  

[Bird]

I've actually asked the same question to an game and inland fishery representative in lakes that were stocked with trout.

I was targeting Bass only and the reply that I got was to simply throw the trout back, surprised. 

VA and WV may be a little more lenient though. 

[12poundbass]

If you’re throwing lures not meant for bass and catch a bass you’ll be fine. If you’re throwing bass lures you’ll have a hard time convincing a CO you’re not bass fishing. 

[gim]

We have a similar situation every spring here in MN. Most inland water game fish seasons close in February and don’t re open until May to primarily protect spawning season. But panfish season never closes so you can legally target them. If you accidentally catch a bass, pike, walleye, etc you simply unhook it and release it. Just don’t be throwing game fish lures for panfish because that won’t fly.

[S Hovanec]

I couldn't imagine living somewhere that you weren't allowed to target bass during the closed season. In Pennsylvania, you can fish through the closed season but It is immediate catch and release.

[soflabasser]

It is hard to avoid catching bass since they are very aggressive fish that will hit almost any lure you use. For example there are times I am fishing for peacock bass and catch largemouth bass as bycatch. In Northern waters I caught largemouth bass as bycatch while fishing for smallmouth bass and other species of fish. 

[J Francho]

We had the same limitation in NY until they opened the catch and release season.  Unless you are  pitching to fish on beds that you can see, I think you'll be fine to fish for other species.  We often fished for other species like crappie using small jigs and UL gear.  On the other end, we casted spoons, spinners, and stick baits for trout and salmon, using heavier tackle.  You can always ask a local game enforcement official, too.

[voxborealis]

23 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Interesting question, some days it seems like I am intentionally avoiding them as well.  

That'a funny...so true.

Thanks for the advice. It can be pretty strict up here. Fortunately for me, I probably don't catch enough even on a good day to get in trouble! More seriously, I'll just swap up the bait and try tl be careful where I am casting.

[spokey9]

I don't think bass can be avoided if they're around. I usually get one or two a day when I'm fishing cut bait on the bottom for catfish.

[Further North]

I'm fishing for pike.  If a bass eats my fly, I can't help it.  They all go back in the water anyway...

[Vilas15]

On 2/22/2021 at 1:22 PM, S Hovanec said:

I couldn't imagine living somewhere that you weren't allowed to target bass during the closed season. In Pennsylvania, you can fish through the closed season but It is immediate catch and release.

Ignoring any arguments for/against catch and release during the spawn, it makes sense in the north where bass arent even the most popular fish. When the top target species are all typically eaten (walleye, crappie, perch) it makes sense to protect the spawn so that they cant be picked off easily when as soon as the season opens every legal fish will be kept. Having an open bass season during that time only complicates enforcement allowing people looking to take walleye illegally to say theyre bass fishing. When panfish is the only open season it is much easier to tell based on their gear whether theyre truly going for panfish or trying to catch walleye/pike.

All that said, wisconsin just went to year round bass season with only a portion open to harvest and im excited about it since i fish for everything including bass. The data shows bass are usually the 3rd to 5th most targeted species on the lakes in my area based on angler hours per year.