What would you throw?

[nhornback]

Going to float Saturday and take advantage of the record highs,  but I've never floated the river any earlier than mid/late April.  Unsure of where to start when it comes to lure selection.  Can anyone offer any thoughts on productive presentations this time of year?

Thanks,

Nick

[snagged in outlet 3]

I'm assuming smallmouth.

Ned and Hi Def Craw

[Smalls21]

+1 on the ned rig

[rps]

slow roll a small black twin spin?

 

[nhornback]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Had planned to throw Ned and a zlcritter craw Texas rigged. Might throw a jerk bait or spinner bait around too.  

 

[crappie_adams83]

What part are ya floating

[nhornback]

HL Kerr to galena

[Al Agnew]

Jerkbaits should work...water temps are probably going to be climbing into the mid-40s at least, but water will probably be very clear if it's like it is around here.  Spinnerbaits will work in those water temps, but I find them less effective in very clear, cool water.  I'm not a Ned rig guy, but the Hi Def Craw will definitely work under those conditions.

Location, location, location.  I've only floated that section of the James a couple of times, but assuming it's typical of Ozark streams that size, you may only have a half dozen pools in a ten mile stretch that hold catchable bass this time of year.  Slow current (not completely dead slack but SLOW) with log or rock cover that the fish can get under if they wish, with deep water very close by.  Don't even bother fishing anything else, just paddle through the shallower, faster water that you might ordinarily fish in the summer as quickly as you can to get to possible wintering pools.  Once you catch a fish, slow down and fish that pool thoroughly, including anywhere in it that has some depth, even out in the middle of it and on the side opposite the typical rocky bank.  Figure on spending a good hour at least in a pool that has proven itself to hold fish.

[nhornback]

Thanks for the detailed advice.  Figured when I find one in a hole there have to be several near by.   That stretch has several deeper almost slack water pockets, so I am planning to fish those very thoroughly with everything I have tied on.  

 Regardless of the amount of success we have I still can't wait to float it.  Get little-kid-like excitement over the river every time we go! 

Thanks again for all the tips guys, I'll report back with how things went either this evening or tomorrow when I get a chance...

Nick