Over the last few days we have seen a weather change from windy low pressure to calm, virtually no wind, high pressure. While much more pleasant for fishing, it has led to a tougher bite. The spawn has been very strange this year and has not followed a traditional cycle like I have seen the last few years. Part of that could be the low water, the lake is down around 13 ft. Some other factors could be the weather patterns, the lake has warmed very quickly, mid and upper 70s in a couple weeks from the upper 50s, and lack of grass.
On the main lake the following has been true and I would expect another push of females shallow any day so there will be some good reports of big fish caught on the main lake following this report.
There are a bunch of smaller males up shallow. These can be caught on a number of baits, but spinnerbaits and squarebilled crankbaits have been best early, with soft plastics picking up the work in the afternoon. You will find some females up here and there, but the majority seem to be staging or recovering in a bit deeper water. I have found some bigger females staging around brush in 3.5 to 9 feet of water and have caught most of them flipping soft plastics to the brush.
The river has begun to produce some really good quality the last few days. By the river, I mean above 99 bridge. Between flipping hardwoods and throwing a spinnerbait around them, I have been averaging better than 3.5 to 4 pounds per bass. Some days are producing a lot of fish while others not as many, but the quality is there.
For other species, the crappie are spawning all over the lake. There are still white bass running up the river and have begun to school on the main lake chasing shad down by the dam.
** Above 99 there are a lot of flats with super shallow water and old metal fence posts. Be aware of where you are so you don't damage your equipment.
Best of luck,
Bassin' Dave
1 comment:
Thanks Dave... Excellent info!
Mark
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