Well the results are in. We had our first tournament of the year this past Saturday on pool 9. The fishing was rather good considering the water temps and series of cold fronts that have swept through in the past few days.
The overall results had people bringing in 5 fish at around 12lbs. The fish were relating to wood in the backwaters but not fully committed to the classic prespawn patterns of years past. The biters were tight to cover and not willing to chase mush of anything. Presentations keeping the bait high in the water column while still fishing slow was attracting the bigger fish for most anglers. Jigs with large chunks of pork keeping the fall slow. Weightless tubes and soft jerkbaits not really being jerked also accounted for many fish. The classic slow rolled spinnerbait presentation was helping no boaters put a limit of fish in the boat behind the pitchers and the flippers. All in all the day was fulfilling for all. As for my personal results I did what I always do… Something different.
My fish were relating to bluegills and larger shad (2inchers) on the current breaks and riprap. I was fortunate enough to boat 5 keeper largemouth in about 30 minutes and then proceed to cull all but one fishing for smallies. The raising water was just starting to adversely effect the baitfish pulling them off of shallow cover and placing them in the mouths of active fish. I managed to boat…. 5 fish 3.12 , 4.2 , 2.12, 2.10, and a 2.8
I was just a couple ounces short of 16lbs in 5 fish. Around 10:00 am I was confident that I had put a check in my pocket so I spent much of the day prefishing for an upcoming tournament. I took first with smallies and second was a heavy 13lbs with all greenfish.
I hope warmer weather returns as the largemouth will be up in heavy numbers shortly.
Good Luck on the water,
Jc
April 21, 2003 at 1:30 pm
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