By Robert P.Moore

Spring is here and the fishing fever has hit everyone. Saturday fishing tournaments are in full swing and the farm pond action is incredible.

Spring in Alabama is the one time of year that anglers are unstoppable, and its the time of year that youngsters and beginners learn their first lessons about fishing. On the farm ponds and smaller lakes, the largemouth have spawned and left their beds in search of food while the bream are just beginning to make their ascent to their shallow beds.

The larger rivers and lake systems are warming and the largemouth bass are in the middle of their spawn while the spotted bass have already moved off the beds and are feeding like crazy. In recent years, the South has had particularly dry springs therefore the angler was forced to deal with clear-water conditions. If he fishes lakes like Martin, Smith, and Guntersville, for example, clear water is common and he must learn to sight fish by reading the structure under the water as well as finding where the bass are hiding and feeding.

The ability to sight-fish is very important for every angler regardless if he is after bass, trout, redfish or whatever. Knowing where the fish are is half the battle. Once the fish are located, then you can learn what they're hungry for. When the bass are on the bed, the plastic lizard is king of all lures (plastic crawfish coming in second). A Texas-rigged lizard laying and crawling across a female bass' bed is usually more than they can handle and they will nail it, and if the female doesn't get it, the male guarding the bed will. Finesse flipping a jig and crawfish on a bed is also a very exciting way to sight-fish.

Generally, when flipping a jig, the angler stays close to the bank or weedline so he can spot the bass' bed and gently flip or pitch the jig or crawfish so that it will come across the bed. Most bedding female bites on a jig are very slight so you must watch your line. The male bass will murder a jig or crawfish, so hold on because there is nothing slight about their hit. Once the spots and largemouth have moved off the beds, they are hungry and the aggressive feeding frenzy begins.
When the surface temperatures reach the mid to upper 60s consistently for a week or two, topwater action really takes off. To most fishermen, once again, the topwater bite is the most exciting and challenging. To cause a brown trout to rise on a dry fly or to entice a four-pound spot to inhale a Zara Spook is the most exciting experience that a fisherman can have.

Spring is also an excellent time to catch a huge saltwater stripe on the top - now that's a fight no one can deny. I learned how to fish for bass, crappie and bream in South Alabama on water that was normally less than clear.

The Warrior and the Alabama and the Tombigbee rivers are not known for their clarity, but the fishing has always been challenging. In recent years, however, I have branched out and started fishing lakes like Smith and Martin and have really learned some valuable lessons about spotting the fish and learning them.

One of the most important tools that I use in clear water are my polarized sunglasses. I never realized how important polarization was until I started using it to cut the glare off the water. Remember, once you can see fish you can begin trying to catch them. If you are accustomed to fishing in stained water and have the opportunity to start fishing in clearer water, many of your plastics are just as useful.

The tackle doesn't have to change that much. Clear water fish seem to prefer colors that match the water and the bottom. Crankbaits do not need to be bright in clear water. Shad colored crankbaits are usually the key to clear water bite. So grab your rods and go fishing - just keep your eyes peeled and don't spook the fish.
Tight lines.