RICE, Va. (WFXR) — The shoreline at Sandy River Reservoir looked like bass heaven, strewn with submerged timber and weeds. Instead of pounding the shoreline, we were working mid-lake humps because in the middle of the day with temperatures reaching into the high 90s, that’s where schools of bass had congregated.
It is that kind of knowledge that can make the difference between catching or not catching fish. And, in the case of professional anglers like Casey Reed, cashing or not cashing a tournament check.
Reed fishes on the Bassmaster Kayak Circuit. On this day at Sandy River Reservoir, just east of Farmville, Virginia, he was putting science, his knowledge and experience, and his electronics to work to find fish.
“I have Humminbird MEGA Live and I know there’s a school of fish over here,” said Reed as he gestured toward one of the humps about ten feet below the water’s surface. “I’m going to try to set up on them; position in the wind; Spot-Lock on them and see if we can’t catch some.”
Season, water temperature, forage, and time of day all play into the decision of where to fish and what to use. We were primarily using soft plastics; six-inch worms on a shaky head to work those humps. It did not take long to hook up.
“Got this one on my go-to, the old shaky head and green pumpkin,” said Reed as he hoisted a bass out of the water. “This thing will catch fish anywhere you go.”
Seconds later he was gently releasing the fish over the side of Old Town Sportsman fishing kayak.
Reed says the best way to improve your bass fishing is by gaining knowledge, and the best way to do that is by logging hours on the water. Kayaks can help you do that in a cost-efficient way. They cost a fraction of what boats do, but they give you access to lakes and streams so you can pick up the experience you need to improve your skills and knowledge.
“You can spend just a couple hundred dollars and get into a kayak,” said Reed.