A cold water pattern for largemouth BURNING in orange Rat-L-Traps proved successful once again for me and client Bobby Burnett on Apple Canyon Lake. Some back bays of this N. Illinois lake TOO WARM AT 49-51 degrees. The KEY is 43-48 degree water, which we found at the back of bays with E. exposure
There is something magic about 43-48 degree water in the spring. Any colder and bass won’t chase lures…any warmer and a suspending stickbait works much better.
I postulate that lower brain functions tell largemouth to EAT from 43-48…at 48 it’s like their metabolism kicks in and says BE CAUTIOUS.
Anyway, this pattern has worked for me for years in lakes where the season is open…with ORANGE by far the most productive color
We boated eight keeper size bass and two pike twitching glass pattern husky jerk Raps in bays with northern and western exposures where temps were already 49-52. When we found a back bay with 44 degree water and burned those ‘Traps in we landed 13 more in about an hour—four over 20 inches, the biggest just under 23…and of course, the BIG ONE got away with a head shake at boatside because the reel wouldn’t work.
I’m not making this up! ecnook has been emailed the fotos to post. I still don’t know how to do this…but I DO know that an orange Rat-L-Trap will kick bass butt in the spring when water temps first warm to 43-48 degrees!
Great post Ted, can’t wait until we get out on the 17th.
Ted,
How is the water clarity? Do you think this affects the color? Would you be using the same in the chocolate colored bays on the miss?
Thanks for the info and great report.
ps how fast was fast retrieve? do you stop and start alot or keep it steady?
some nice fish
..
water color doesn’t seem to matter. Orange crawded ‘Trap seems to work best in anything from clear to turbid water…just casting and making a steady retrieve. Once temps hit 48 the bite is DONE and you have to start twitching a suspending stick or throwing plastic…but 43-48 first thing in the spring is beyond deadly for this tactic!