need help catching jumping bass

[Kenny Yi]

the water is a reservoir in northern VA, the water temp is around 55-60, the main forage is bluegill but I wouldn't be surprised to see tiny minnows

 

the bass (Largemouth) tend to jump on dead to mild calm winded days, going 5 ft in the air, with 1-2 minute intervals in-between, there is no surface breaking from any schools of anything, so I'm always surprised when they jump, this activity continues throughout the day

 

so here's what I've tried: ... EVERYTHING... When I first saw the jumping, I immediately thought "topwater day, it is" but after throwing topwater (spooks, wake baits, buzzbaits) for about an hour with absolutely no response from the bass, I switched to subsurface, thinking "maybe they're chasing the bait around" so I threw spinnerbaits and chatters and cranks and glidebaits and so much more.  Even tried as much finesse as I know; wacky rigs, dropshots, Neko rigs, flukes.  Finally I started throwing bottom baits, thinking "well, they must be on the bottom, looking up at the bluegill, and attacking so fast that it launches them out of the water".  Out came the jig (cuz you know I'll always have one on) and Texas rig, nothing. 

 

So here's what I have successfully caught at this reservoir: I had a single day where the wacky rig was the right choice, about 7 hookups, but only two landed fish because I suck  (I'm really bad at logging weather conditions but I'll say it was blue sky with no wind).  I've had a different type of day (maybe cloudy?), where I caught a single bass on a jerkbait.  there is one other bait that I have successfully hooked up on... I was so fed up with seeing these flying bass for over 6 hours, one day, that I pulled out the ultralight and pursued the bluegill.  A 3 pound bass smashed my two inch panfish grub and fought for a minute before shaking the hook free on a jump...

 

so now I ask: was it a bait-size, technique, or bait type issue?  or, are these fish simply not worth chasing?

[ajschn06]

They know what you are doing and are just messing with you.... seriously...

[T-Billy]

If you ever figure this out be sure to let us know. I've never been able to catch them. Not one. When they're torpedoing bait at the surface they're catchable, but when they're just launching themselves out of the water, ajschn06 is 100% correct. Seriously.

[LrgmouthShad]

7 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

but when they're just launching themselves out of the water, ajschn06 is 100% correct. Seriously

Wait for real? Huh.

 

But he did figure it out! He figured out a way to catch them, you have to start fishing for bluegill! They will take the hint that you are no longer fishing for them and will bite your bait just to confuse you all over again. 

 

This is wild though. Hope someone has worked through this apparently tough time to catch them and shares.

[PressuredFishing]

Its like cruising bass in the pre spawn, very hard to catch because they are not thinking about eating, they are doing something else, what that is, I have no idea because I cannot ask them.

[T-Billy]

2 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

Its like cruising bass in the pre spawn, very hard to catch because they are not thinking about eating, they are doing something else, what that is, I have no idea because I cannot ask them.

A TRD Bug will catch a fair percentage of those. I pitch it far enough in front of them not to spook 'em, then when they get within sight of it I drag it a foot or so. Alot of them swim over and pick it up. I rig it on a 1/8 football head #2 hook, 6# mono. Best bed bait I've ever used too.

[J Francho]

Are you 100% positive they're bass?

[GreenPig]

I've personally never caught any bass that jumps 5' out of the water without making a 97 yard cast.? Sounds alot like our carp and I've never found a bass lure they'll hit. 

[gunsinger]

Perhaps an air rifle is in order?  Sit and wait for one to come up out of the water and blast him.  Of course, be very aware of what's down range.

[PressuredFishing]

58 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

A TRD Bug will catch a fair percentage of those. I pitch it far enough in front of them not to spook 'em, then when they get within sight of it I drag it a foot or so. Alot of them swim over and pick it up. I rig it on a 1/8 football head #2 hook, 6# mono. Best bed bait I've ever used too.

wow thats actually really interesting, I have never had any luck with catching these fish, perhaps I will give this a try next pre spawn season. I am embarressed to say I have never used a ned rig or TRD to bed fish, I think it would in theory work great because you prevent short strikes, I get a lot of nippers.

56 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Are you 100% positive they're bass?

You make a good point, I have seen carp doing this a lot.

[J Francho]

Walleye do it this time of year up here. 

[Jaderose]

I have never...not once...seen a bass jump 5 feet out of the water for any reason

[813basstard]

A net.

[LrgmouthShad]

18 minutes ago, Jaderose said:

I have never...not once...seen a bass jump 5 feet out of the water for any reason

not even to attack one of your frogs?

[T-Billy]

51 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

I am embarressed to say I have never used a ned rig or TRD to bed fish, I think it would in theory work great because you prevent short strikes, I get a lot of nippers

I've used it to bed fish the last two years. The bite is super subtle. I rarely feel it and sometimes don't even see it. I'll just go to move it a couple inches and they'll have it. Unlike with bigger baits, they often pick it up and just sit there with it. They'll usually hold it a long time. My turd bug rod never leaves the deck. I've caught everything from bluegill to musky on it, and it catches them from ice out until ice over.

[Tennessee Boy]

1 hour ago, Jaderose said:

I have never...not once...seen a bass jump 5 feet out of the water for any reason

That's what I was thinking.  A smallmouth that is a world class jumper and highly motivated might get to 5 feet.   I've seen some gars jump pretty high and then there's the beloved silver carp that is probably the king of fresh water jumpers. 

 

These people have an interesting approach to going after jumping silver carp.   I think a net would be more effective.

 

 

[ironbjorn]

I've never seen a bass get anywhere close to 5' of air

[Kenny Yi]

lol, my bad, 5ft was an exaggeration based on how frustrated I am, 1/2 to 1 foot is more accurate (a similar phenomena occurs whenever I measure the weight of any catch)

 

yes, the green back is unmistakably a largmouth bass

[Jaderose]

On 10/26/2021 at 2:32 PM, LrgmouthShad said:

not even to attack one of your frogs?

I saw a Walleye get some pretty good air trying to hit a frog one time and I've had bass knock the frog 5 ft in the air before (always makes me laugh) but nope.

 

[scaleface]

This has been a recurring topic in the years I have been here . Bass jumping completely out of the water and not being able to catch them .If they are bass evidently they are not catchable . Personally , I have never seen  bass exhibit this behavior .

[LrgmouthShad]

Rip your lure out of the water to let it soar in the air for a bit. Maybe they’ll jump up and grab it

[J Francho]

If a bass is jumping like that for no apparent reason, it's probably a fight or flight situation. All fish will jump if threatened or if water quality os off. 

[BayouSlide]

I'll always remember the day I watched a bass of about 2 pounds make a leap of about three feet among the cypress trees of a local lake. In less than 10 minutes, I saw a a bald eagle fly out of the same area carrying a bass of about 2 pounds.

 

Coincidence or destiny? ?

[OldManLure]

I’m betting the bass were fleeing a real threat.  Does your reservoir have tiger muskie?  They can be vicious.

 

[Smells like fish]

I am not familiar with jumping bass either but trout, carp and mermaids- I see that often.