Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 61

photo-Jerry Bush

Angler's Notebook
by Jerry Bush

Bass anglers should concentrate on fishing structure such
as submerged timber, boulders, rock beds and ledges.
Bass dwell in dense structure to nest and ambush prey.
However, do not only fish the structure itself. Larger adult
bass may patrol water up to 20 yards from the structure.
Some experts speculate that protective adult bass
purposely become visible to predators, serving notice that
adult bass are prepared to defend offspring. Therefore,
anglers should fish a bit farther offshore in an attempt to
catch larger, adult bass.

coax gamefish to become closelipped until the water calms
down again.
It is frustrating to lose an anchor that is snagged on a
submerged structure. Boaters can minimize the occurrences of
snagged anchors by scrutinizing the anchor size and style used
for various situations. Special configurations are created for use
in shallow lakes, deep lakes and rivers. Anchor design not only
reduces occurrences of entanglements but allows easier release
when unexpected structure is encountered. Keep at least one
extra anchor and one extra rope on board for emergencies.

Weighted jigs are the most productive lures known for
catching popular gamefish species. Weighted jigs accept
the addition of almost any natural bait and present it to
fish in an attractive manner. Weighted jigs come in many
shapes and sizes and may be tipped with worms, waxworms,
mealworms, caterpillars and crickets.

Bass hide in thickets of weeds and patches of lily pads,
waiting to ambush baitfish. Casting to hungry gamefish
often results in time spent untangling lines from snags
with vegetation. A 12- to 18-foot fishing rod manufactured
primarily for crappies can be an asset. The long rod can be used
to "pick the pocket," which is a tactic of dropping tipped jigs
and bouncing jigs vertically within openings in the vegetation.
The strength of bass and the ability to tangle line on vegetation
makes it necessary to rig a reel with monofilament line a bit
heavier than commonly selected for other panfish.

Gamefish are most actively feeding early in the morning.
By noon, fish will see many baits and lures. Anglers also have
an advantage when the sun is low, making it more difficult
for fish to see them. Many Pennsylvania inland lakes are
churned-up during daylight hours by motorboats, which

Fishin' from the Kitchen

Grilled Bass with Cilantro Pesto
by Wayne Phillips
Serve

The ideal meal during the heat of summer is grilled bass
topped with cilantro pesto.
Ingredients for four servings:
* 11/2 cups cilantro leaves *
* 1 clove garlic,
*
coarsely chopped
* ¼ cup almonds
*
* 1/2 cup olive oil
*
* Juice of 1/2 lemon

Procedure

¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
4 6- to 8-ounce pieces of
boneless, skinless bass fillets
2 Tbsp. canola oil
Salt and black pepper
to taste

Add cilantro leaves, garlic and almonds to a food
processor and pulse. Add olive oil, lemon juice and cheese
while the food processor is running. When smooth, season
with salt and black pepper. Rub the pieces of bass with
canola oil and grill. After grilling, season the fish with salt
and black pepper.
www.fishandboat.com

Spoon cilantro
pesto over the
grilled fish. Serve
with steamed rice and
tomato wedges.

Tips

ps
illi
Ph
yne
a
-W
photo

If your family does not enjoy cilantro, use Italian flatleafed parsley instead. Perk up the steamed rice by stirring
in some pesto.
For many people, pesto means basil pesto. There are
many kinds of pestos including sun-dried tomato pesto that
is ideal for stronger fish, arugula pesto for more delicately
flavored fish or mint pesto to add a cooling taste to fish.
Including lemon, lime or orange juice and/or zest in the
pesto adds a refreshing element. Nuts such as almonds,
walnuts or pine nuts bring richness to pestos.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * July/August 2019

http://www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August