willyfish

Got down Monday and its been tough for us. One here one there but nothing to put a pattern together. Menace grub, shaky head and spook is mostly what I've been throwing. Did catch a couple on a white swimming minnow I got from Lilley's store. My buddy was swimming a grub and I wanted something a little smaller I rigged it on my crappie pole, love the action on those and they catch anything that swims. We did get into a school of whites at the mouth of wolfpen. That was a lot of fun . We had a triple , 2 on a spook and my other buddy had one on a crankbait. With one net that was a little tricky with those baits and 3 pound whites coming to the boat at once. I feel like the water color has a lot to do with what's going on . Lake has dropped a foot water temps 67-70 everywhere I've been. We leave Saturday.

How deep Mr. Bill?

Cops for kids Tuesday too. I would think the shad spawn has started . Did you catch anything on top?

Thanks for the report, haven't seen any recently. Ill be down Monday to give it a go. With all the fishing pressure the lakes had and the tournaments coming up I was going to start in that 10-20 foot zone and see what happens. Who knows though its called fishing for a reason. Lake is on the rise again, up and down up and down. Ill holler if I find any that wanna bite.

Do you know what the term beating a dead horse means? Of course I just now didn't come to this conclusion because of Randy's comments. I just wish the spawn would be given certain considerations..

I watched Randy Blaukat's practice report for this weekend. Then I counted 9 regatta permits for this Saturday the 26th. It really is sad what goes on during the spring. In my opinion they shouldn't have tournaments in April and May around this region. What does winning a tournament even prove anymore? It's just so sad and frustrating. If your so desperate to fish a tournament just take a picture weigh it and throw it back at least.

I can see the pros and cons to both sides, but I agree with Dan. I don’t think some people know the difference and could start keeping 12 inch largemouth . That obviously does the lake no good.

I saw Table Rock came up about 3 feet in the last day. I would guess the trout will start munching.

Good report, nice to hear from guys fishing Bull.

Hit it at daylight this morning. Saw rain in the forecast but not a drop, these weather forecasters need a new job. Fished around point 9 and really struggled . Spook, keitech and grub, jig and Ned. Nada nothing Could hear the water coming in to the creeks last night and the lake is up over 918. Fished shallow out to 25

Fished down by Baxter and caught a couple on a swim jig and a grub. Moved up to wolf pen and had a few on a magnum GP purple trick worm. Lost one at the boat that might of went 5 , she jumped smiled and waved goodbye. Finished up in little aunts couple on a 5/16 jig with a menace trailer and my buddy caught a nice largemouth on a spook. Same conditions as Dutch said. We might run up the James later.

The lake jumped up to 918 and with all the water they are running at the dam it looks like it's dropped a foot. A little stability would help things but I'm seeing rain chances through Wednesday.

I didn’t mean to discredit Bablers reporting but he is all about pickle ball now from what I hear . 😂

Wenners has a good report on water conditions dated May 1. I don’t know anyone anywhere that gives as good a report as Pete Wenners. With the weather going on now you just gotta get out there and fish . I’ll be down Monday and I’m gonna go right one day and left the next and see what happens. Good luck

If you get back to that area over the weekend could you let me know what you see as far as water clarity and debris or floaters. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I like 917 , it puts just enough bushes in the water without it turning into a jungle. I’ll be heading down next Monday, with or without the curse of Vernon !

I forgot about Vernon. 😂 917 is perfect but this has the makings of a lot higher than that, I hope I'm wrong

I really hope the lake doesn't flood.

Wenners said the same thing. What do you think is causing the water color? Is it runoff or turnover? Rain in the forecast over the next couple weeks. I'll be down on the 6th and a spinnerbait sounds like it could be the deal.

My gosh that is a big Crappie! They say this lake isn't good for Crappie and that may well be true but you can't deny there are some big ones in it for sure.

Did anyone fish yesterday before during or after the eclipse? We all hear about how the moon phases affect fishing and nature. Was there a noticeable difference on the water or on shore?

Looks like this guy is staring at the screen to me. Maybe his graphs aren't set for scoping but that isn't the picture I would show for a non scope event. LOL

If that's the case I would agree with Shell Knob or even Eagle Rock. I'd go to Bull to be honest. It's that special time of year, have fun and good luck.

JImmy Houston is live scoping muskies. He lost a big one. That thing shot up like a freight train to grab his bait which looked like a giant tube with trebles. Pretty funny to be honest

It's definitely more enjoyable watching these techniques compared to a FFS tournament. Seeing dock cables and guys like Cherry throwing a jig behind a dock or cranking shallow rocks is better TV.