Spring Bass Fishing

[bigredbirdfan]

If you were me and you were going to plan a full week off of work this spring to fish TR which month and if you feel confident which week would it be? We are also going to fish Bull Shoals as well. Instead of going way north this year our guy's trip is going to stay close to home.

Thanks,

BRBF

[getfished]

Too many options!

I'd probably start with the 3rd week in April as my #1 choice. Depending on weather and water I might need to push it one way or the other a little bit. Tough question for me. I know June can be incredible with more stable weather and water. Are you wanting numbers or

size. Are you strictly focusing on Bass or including other species?

GETFISHED !!!

[Gary Lange]

I would look at the last week in May or the first week of June. You can go back and look at some of the Fishing reports for the period before and after those weeks to fine tune your choices. This web site has a wealth of information in it and I am sure you can find the exact weeks you want to take off work.

[Bill P]

If you were me and you were going to plan a full week off of work this spring to fish TR which month and if you feel confident which week would it be? We are also going to fish Bull Shoals as well. Instead of going way north this year our guy's trip is going to stay close to home.

Thanks,

BRBF

Best Month......March ,April,May? Best week....the one you're gonna fish!

My best week is never 'might be',it's always WAS,and I don't find out till Spring fishing is over. I just wish I had the experience,and enough records,to show what the best weeks WERE.

[Nitroman]

" APRIL"

Either the week of the 11TH.

&/or

The week of the 25TH.

MARCH: Better chance for bigger fish, not as many fish & weather could get YA but best chance for a " BIG UN "

April: Overall weather is more stable ( warming ) = more fish moving shallow, the smaller ones make a decision

much quicker to attack & eat & normally beat the bigger ones to your offering.

May: Can be outstanding, weather has really settled in, if so good numbers of fish ( all sizes ) are up &

active but certain areas of lake can be heavy with spawning fish which can make it tough & limit your

options on how to catch them.

Whatever you pick " GOOD LUCK " !!!!!!!

[CaptainJoe]

With the weather the way it is here, it is so hard to predict anything. The spawn usually occurs between mid-April to mid-May. So I would split the difference and say during the last few days of April and the first few days of May. Should be able to get on pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn fish. Good luck!

[motoman]

With the weather the way it is here, it is so hard to predict anything. The spawn usually occurs between mid-April to mid-May. So I would split the difference and say during the last few days of April and the first few days of May. Should be able to get on pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn fish. Good luck!

-

Yup, I vote for end of April, early May. That's always been good to us.

-

I would advise against March. We got burned last year and had sleet, freezing rain and snow to fish in. It was aweful. And it seemd to be a bit much for the fish too; they didn't cooperate either!

[zzjonze]

I'd agree with the Captain and motoman (if you are planning to catch, picture, and release) on both the Rock and Bull.

Just check the backs of coves and creeks while throwing a super fluke and if you have to catch a bedding fish please put him back. ( I don't think they mind having their Picture taken)

Good luck

ZZ

[bigredbirdfan]

I'd agree with the Captain and motoman (if you are planning to catch, picture, and release) on both the Rock and Bull.

Just check the backs of coves and creeks while throwing a super fluke and if you have to catch a bedding fish please put him back. ( I don't think they mind having their Picture taken)

Good luck

ZZ

The only bass I eat are white.

[Sam]

I'm not hardly a bass fisherman, and the only time it gets good enough for me to switch over and c/r some "hawgs" is in the last half of May. Those big post-spawn fish with their wore-down tails hang around stick-ups near gravel spawning areas then, and I take a break from crappie fishing and go after the big 'uns for a few trips.

Last spring I caught/released quite a few bass over 18", and the one I was proudest of was a 22" smallmouth. Those are some fun trips every year, then I go back to putting crappie and white bass filets in the freezer.