Post spawn

[jtram]

I have historically struggled bass fishing lakes post spawn through summer. I know bass generally go deeper, but how do you look for, fish for bass as the easy bite ends and they transition into summer patterns? I have been and likely always will be a river guy, but plan to make a real effort to become a solid stick year round on the lake. ANY info would be much appreciated. Thanks

[Champ188]

Jtram, try to mentally trace the route the fish made into their spawning areas in reverse.

Topwaters are an excellent choice in low-light hours; otherwise, hard to beat the Ned or shaky head.

When all else fails, start running main-lake points and bluff ends --- especially those outside of spawning areas.

Hope this helps.

[Kcdangler]

10 feet down 10feet from shore giver or take a few.

[jtram]

Good tips, think a lot of my problem is that I use too many accesses, which is good for variety, but not for learning new patterns (for me) I think I will start with above suggestions and stick to big m on the rock, elk river on grand and expand from there. Is dock fishing solid post spawn?

[dtrs5kprs]

Good tips, think a lot of my problem is that I use too many accesses, which is good for variety, but not for learning new patterns (for me) I think I will start with above suggestions and stick to big m on the rock, elk river on grand and expand from there. Is dock fishing solid post spawn?

For me, docks are better once it gets a little warmer, into mid June. Deep docks with a spoon.

The fish that spawn in the dips and pockets move the most. The creek fish will often linger near spawn places well into June, and can be caught in a lot of the same ways. Good to add a grub or swimbait into the mix on gravel and points if they show signs of suspending.

[jtram]

For me, docks are better once it gets a little warmer, into mid June. Deep docks with a spoon.

The fish that spawn in the dips and pockets move the most. The creek fish will often linger near spawn places well into June, and can be caught in a lot of the same ways. Good to add a grub or swimbait into the mix on gravel and points if they show signs of suspending.

Probably an ignorant question, but something I have bever understood, "creek" when speaking of lake fishing would be small creek arms such as rock creek near Big M correct?

[dtrs5kprs]

Probably an ignorant question, but something I have bever understood, "creek" when speaking of lake fishing would be small creek arms such as rock creek near Big M correct?

Yep. Running creeks like the Mills, Indians, Fisher, Aunts, etc., as opposed to little pockets off the river (up north folks might call those "bays"). Creeks seem to have a resident population of fish, and often fish like little lakes all to their own. Big Creek is a prime example of that.

The little dips, guts, pockets will fill up with fish, but can empty just as fast. Kind of think that is due to their proximity to the main channel, and the transient nature of the fish that move into it.

After 18 years of fishing it, I think the fish (maybe not including the K's) in TR do not move around nearly as much as folks like to think. It isn't KY Lake or Guntersville, lacks the flow of those kinds of lakes.

[jtram]

Thanks dtrs5kprs, a lot of questions answered there.