Quick Change Artists!

[jeb]

It's just amazing how quickly the fish went from being all about stick baits to migrating to the back of the coves sitting on beds. I started off with the stick today, but couldn't buy a bite with it. But I kind of expected that given my spotty experience with it Monday, and given the waters quick warmup. So I didn't burn a lot of time trying to force and went to flipping and casting Zoom critter baits in the shallows. Now we're talkin'! Lots of fish, and quality. I caught well over a dozen legal LM's, several in the 3 pound plus range. Lots of dinks and spots, too. And missed a ton of hits. I assume it was just fish moving it quickly off a nest. Saw some BIG bass up in 2' of water, but they saw me first.

Water temps were in the low to mid 60's.

[nwaoutdoorsman]

It's just amazing how quickly the fish went from being all about stick baits to migrating to the back of the coves sitting on beds. I started off with the stick today, but couldn't buy a bite with it. But I kind of expected that given my spotty experience with it Monday, and given the waters quick warmup. So I didn't burn a lot of time trying to force and went to flipping and casting Zoom critter baits in the shallows. Now we're talkin'! Lots of fish, and quality. I caught well over a dozen legal LM's, several in the 3 pound plus range. Lots of dinks and spots, too. And missed a ton of hits. I assume it was just fish moving it quickly off a nest. Saw some BIG bass up in 2' of water, but they saw me first.

Water temps were in the low to mid 60's.

Sweet! Sounds like things are starting to happen. I'm gonna try to get out there tomorrow. I had my tooth fixed today which is what kept me from going yesterday. I had an absessed tooth and they did a root canal at 8 this morning. I dont reccommend starting off the day that way. I have to go back and get a crown in a couple weeks. But thats off the subject. Sorry! I'm pumped up about getting out there. I stink at bed fishing but I can usually catch a few pitching a senko where I think I bed might be. I'm looking forward to getting out there! Thanks for the report!

[Quillback]

Wow, that was a fast change! Glad to hear you got into them!

[jeb]

Speaking of Senko/Wacky Rigs, I caught my first fish with one yesterday. I'm determined to try it more this year as it seems like a great finesse technique, and I tend to finesse fish a lot. It was my only deep water fish, off the corner of a dock in about 25'. Non-legal spot, but it's a start!

[jmabe0455]

Great report JEB!!! It is amazing how fast these fish can change. I fished Mid Lake Last weekend and they were killing the stick bait.

What area of the lake were you in, when you found all the shallow fish. I was thinking about running down lake to the dam, but could easily stay around mid lake if the good fish are still there.

[jeb]

Mid-lake. Horseshoe bend area up through the Ventris area. It could be they're at different stages of spawn in different parts of the lake, too.

[jmabe0455]

Mid-lake. Horseshoe bend area up through the Ventris area. It could be they're at different stages of spawn in different parts of the lake, too.

Thanks for the update. YOu may be right about the different stages. I fished Hickory Creek yesterday evening for about 4 hours and I didn't see any bedding fish. I did catch alot of short fish up in the bushes though. It is getting close all over the lake.

Maybe I will see you out this weekend. I am in a white skeeter with a 250 HPDI on it. Stop by and say high if you see me.

[jeb]

I retired recently (I'm 52), so am trying to avoid fishing on the weekends now. But who knows? With the fish biting good, I might just have to brave the crowds this weekend.

The Skeeter in my sig is gold flake and tan. I'll look for you if I'm out.