School of Large Mouth Bass

[zelph]

Went on a family picnic to a local state park that had a small lake created by a dam/spillway type structure. The dam is about 60 feet wide. I was able to stand at the top edge of the dam and look down into the water and watch a large school(30+) of large mouth bass actively cruising back and forth parallel to the front of the dam structure. The bass were of LARGE size 4-5 pounders along with smaller ones. This gathering of bass along with their activity seemed unusual. They didn't seem to be feeding, just kinda cruising and socializing. I pointed out to a nearby fisherman their activity. He began throwing an assortment of nice lures and spinners into and around the school as they came into view. The bass did not respond to the lures. I was at a vantage point with my polarized sunglasses to watch the lures as they passed within easy reach of the fish.

Well my plans for this week is to get my license and go catch some of those fish. I will present to them the biggest leeches I can find.......they will not be able to resist....resistance is futile

Later I will upload a video of the dam area so you can see where I'll be catching some fish....thinking positive

[zelph]

Here is the video. At one point you will see some bass come into view from the right.

[cadyak]

Healthy looking school of fish! They might be a little more prone to striking at daybreak or late afternoon.
do you fish leeches on the bottom?

[zelph]

I wish you could have seen the school without the clouds interfering. I fish with a clear float(bobber) at a depth I know the fish are active. If I fish on the bottom I'll catch catfish if they are around. I catch a lot of small mouth bass with leeches in rocky areas created by building of dams. A leech dangling, wiggling and doing their thing is a sure attractant for bass. Big tadpoles are also great for bass.