I see palm trees in that picture. That’s cheating.
I had a real nice one on last night. Then I woke up 
SR
I see palm trees in that picture. That’s cheating.
It probably is but still fun. It’s pre-spawn here and I brought a limited selection of baits. I sure could have used a couple Tom Sawvell custom lizards in the shallows near the beds!!
Nice! Are you seeing beds? I’ve never actually seen any beds in the ponds by me in the 2 years I’ve been here, but I know they reproduce even in the retaining pond. That pond in the picture looks jut like the retention pond here, no emergent vegetation.
This cold snap I think is going to turn them on. Hopefully you can get out again on a warm day later in the week. From here on out until June the bass and panfish should move into the shallows more. It’s weird that half the year I don’t see any panfish in the shallows.
Arrived about a week ago in the 30 mph winds and cold front… so it’s been slow. The bigger lake is approx 300 acres and 40-50 feet deep in spots. So the temp in the big lake is still a bit too cold and is pre-spawn.
There are several ponds in the area and quite a bit shallower and warmer. The last couple days have been warm and sunny, and have seen several bedding fish (2 to 3 pounds) along the perimeter of the ponds. I guess I’ve only seen a few of the traditional bed circles but a few have appeared now.
I’m sure the big lake is a week or two away from the same activity… too bad I have to go home – there are bigger fish there.
…next time!!
How big were the beds? You sure they weren’t tilapia? Those things will get going here soon and they make huge beds and will be on them for a month at least, which I find odd, since apparently they are mouth brooders. I’ve never seen a bedding bass, but I see tilapia beds all over the shoreline.
I wish I could catch one. I bet they are fun on an ultralight. I heard that you can try peas and corn, so I should give it a shot one day.
The beds I saw, or think I saw, seemed a little smaller than what I typically see up North but I honestly don’t know what Tilapia beds look like either. I had polarized lenses on and the fish looked pretty dark and general prrofile of a largemouth. The tilapia I’ve seen seem to have some orange coloring on the tips and underside. But it really could have been tilapia and I may not have known either.
Thinking of coming back to the same place next year, but am contemplating coming a month later to see if the larger fish are more active. Would be great to find some kind of a smaller boat for rent, one with a trolling motor (and 360 Imaging 
Who knows. All the tilapia beds I see are very shallow and many times right up to or as close to the bank as possible. I haven’t seen any tilapia beds up here yet, but that should be happening soon and the ponds are starting to clear up a little. With a little reading I see they prefer 80+ degrees to spawn, although I believe they start building beds before that. So I guess bass probably bed before tilapia. So you probably were seeing bass?
I assume your hand is feeling better!? I’m glad you’re getting out fishing Chris!
Thanks for asking Joe… I’m just under 2 months from surgery and I think long term I need to use a baitcaster that I hold with my left hand and let my gimpy right wrist do the cranking instead of supporting the weight of the rod – and an occasional fish 
I only had a spinning rod on this trip so I made due. Like my dad used to say you have to learn how to adapt!
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
