Early May Bass fishing

[dnj21]

Never been to  MT in spite of living only an hour south of it, going to head up there a couple days the first week of May with my brother and little one.  How hard is it to get in to some Bass fishing at that time of the year?  No experience with the lake at all, outside driving by.  Only friends I have that fish it offer Crappie advice

Any suggestions appreciated as far as where to launch and start looking, techniques, baits, etc.  Running a 17ft aluminum boat, with 25hp motor, so I don’t want to be running from one end to the other looking for spots or trying to stay out of peoples way.  Will definitely be a mid-week trip.

Thank you!

[WeekendWarrior]

It has been awhile since I have fish MT but in May the fish will be spawning so I would look to spawning pockets and protected areas. And those fish get shallow, I mean real shallow. I used to throw my a big tube up on bank and drag it in as to not spook the fish. Good luck!

[bkbying89]

I haven't been there since I sold my boat. I usually did well on the regulars, Jig & salt craw, Spinner baits cast to the banks and crankbaits on points. If the weather is good, on the weekends the boat ramps will be backed up. Especially if there are tournaments and it seems like there are always tournament. During the week it's not nearly as bad and you can have the run of the lake. I didn't use the Ray Behrens ramp after a while. it is the closest to the St.Louis area fisherman and therefore the busiest. I did like the lake but I don't go there anymore. I fish the rivers now.

 

 

[dnj21]

Thank you, I appreciate the info!  It seems odd, there is a tourney going on regularly, but you don't really read much about the Bass fishing here.  

Since we will be out there mid week hoping we can just poke around the coves looking for catchable fish.  I like throwing a T-rig Lizard at that time of the year, never tried Tubes.  May have to give it a whirl.  I am more confortable beating the banks in unfamiliar water, may set up well for that time of the year.

If anyone else has a thought pls feel free to share.  Will be coming up from Mexico, so ramps on that side will probably be the easiest for us (Mark Twain State Park maybe?)      

[nomolites]

I would just add water is usually stained to muddy; have done well on bright crankbaits/spinnerbaits and darker plastics.  

Mike

[dnj21]

Anyone fish the tourney this weekend?  Just trying to get soem traction on where and how to get started.  

Fished around Columbia & Jeff City this weekend in smaller lakes, VERY slow.......

 

[rps]

Don't know Mark Twain, but the area lakes all are giving up fish to:

Shaky head lizards, Neds, and flukes. A fourth bait would be a Keitech swim grub. You might want to have a top water handy on the fifth rad.

Good luck!