It’s unmistakable — that distinctive “pop” of a champagne cork; typically the tone of celebration, followed by an outpouring of fun times.
Another allusion: Families crowding street side parade routes, eagerly awaiting that first drum beat, that first glimpse of a float or balloon.
However you view it, the bass spawn is the year’s grand event and it appears the James River is about to pop. A lot of anglers probably came into the event focused on prespawners, but Day 1 heard several, including pro leader Alex Wetherell recount their success in catching what they believed to be spawners.
We say “believe” because water clarity on tidal rivers typically precludes the traditional sight fishing technique. You can look for them, but you won’t often look at them.
A few did mention sight fishing when low tide pulled back the curtain enough for sufficient visibility, but the more common strategy seemed to be one of fishing near likely spawning areas — hard bottom stuff like gravel, rock and cypress tree roots — in hopes of running into spawners.
Wetherell said he actually figured out that he was on spawning fish by the way they were biting. Bass guarding their spawning area typically bite only to carry intrusive baits away from their beds. When repetitive casts to the same spot yield such noncommittal responses, you know you’re near a bed — even if you can’t see it.
Bassmaster Elite Greg DiPalma, who shared 12th place yesterday with Michale Duarte, said he had two in his bag with bloody tails — a clear sign of bedding, as the fish use their tails to fan out a clear spot. This vigorous home making usually leaves the tail fins worn and red. (Don’t worry, they grow back like fingernails.)
Noting his anticipation for a major spawning movement — possibly today — DiPalma points to Saturday’s Pink Full Moon. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name refers to its coincidence with the seasonal blooming of a pink wildflower known as creeping phlox, or moss phlox.
This lunar phase is also called the Pascal Moon, as its timing dictates the date of Easter celebration — always the Sunday following this full moon.
Most relevant here, April brings the first full moon of spring and that puts the giddy-up on spawn-ready bass. DiPalma reports encouraging Day-1 observations and pairs that with favorable conditions for an optimistic outlook.
“It seemed like in the morning (on Day 1), nothing was going on, then the water got high and they all pulled up,” DiPalma said. “I’m hoping they lock on and, as we’re getting close to the full moon, it doesn’t pull too much water out (on the falling tide).
“I had three fish at noon and then I went back to my primary areas after I’d hit them three times and I probably caught 25 fish. My whole practice was geared toward the spawn, so that’s what I’m going for.”
After a windy opening round, anglers will fish in mostly calm conditions today. As DiPalma said, this will open up more fishable water and improve running efficiency.
Also, despite a mild cold front that brought showers Thursday evening and shaved about 10 degrees off the daytime high (73 versus yesterday’s 83), spring’s warmup is well underway.
Key point here: A cold front in April is very different from a cold front in February or even March. By now, nature has set the stage for these Virginia fish to get after the baby making and, while the cooler morning hours may find them a little hesitant, the day’s sunny conditions will quickly overcome the initial chill.
“This weather should set these fish up,” DiPalma set. “It’s (stocked) Florida-strain bass, a full moon and warm weather. If they were up there (yesterday), they’re not going anywhere.
“Generally, when they get up there and get set up, they don’t leave. We’ve seen this several times on the Elite Series; it got super cold and the fish were still there.”
Bottom line, it’s spring, we have that big Paschal Moon tomorrow and these fish are ready to go. Tides always demand respect and anglers simply must hit the right spots at the right time, but the potential’s there for a day as big or bigger than Day 1’s impressive showing.
DiPalma’s closing thought: “If they pop, it could get really crazy this weekend.”
