DATE: Thursday, April 24, 1997              TAG: 9704240562

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C8   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON

                                            LENGTH:   29 lines

FISHING FORECAST

Only a confirmed pessimist couldn't find at least a sliver of silver lining in a dark cloud.

Take this year's exceptionally cold, blustery spring. While the weather has fouled up a lot of fishing trips, there has been one plus: The cool weather has prolonged the spawning season for largemouth bass. Instead of peaking over a couple of weeks in early April, it has been extended considerably.

While some bass have completed this annual ritual on some waters, it's pretty evident from recent catches that other fish on other waters have yet to get things started.

Most fishery biologists agree that two factors precipitate bass spawning: length of days and water temperature. However, there is some disagreement over exactly what is the ideal spawning temperature.

Regardless, the bottom line is that big bass should continue to make a good showing on many Hampton Roads impoundments, including the water-supply lakes around Norfolk and Suffolk.

And don't overlook local farm ponds, neighborhood borrow pits and major canals and ditches. They can harbor some huge largemouths at this season.

Regardless of where you fish, look for bass in shallow coves, some only a couple of feet deep, which get a lot of sunshine (remember what it looks like?) and yet are protected from cool northerly winds.

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