First time fishing LOTO

[NEBASSIN]

I have a tournament coming up on May 5th. I have never fished this water before but from what I have during research is the bass will be spawning at this time. Is this correct?  Also what are the usual water conditions around this time?  Any advice on lures?  Is there a specific arm of the lake that seems to be more productive at this time?  

Thank you in advance

[MOsmallies]

47 minutes ago, NEBASSIN said:

I have a tournament coming up on May 5th. I have never fished this water before but from what I have during research is the bass will be spawning at this time. Is this correct?  Also what are the usual water conditions around this time?  Any advice on lures?  Is there a specific arm of the lake that seems to be more productive at this time?  

Thank you in advance

You will be there during the peak of the spawn. If water conditions are relatively clear, sight fishing will be a possibility. You'll be able to catch fish on just about anything. Fan-casting spawning areas with a Carolina-Rig, pitching behind docks with a Hi-Def Craw or Beaver, Topwater behind docks, skipping a senko around wood and behind docks. Lots of options! Have fun!

[Greg nicks]

Every thing mosmallie said is pretty much on the money.

[Larry Eby]

Those senkos are useless. Send all unused green pumpkin seed to me for proper disposal.

[conorsixtakc]

45 minutes ago, Larry Eby said:

Those senkos are useless. Send all unused green pumpkin seed to me for proper disposal.

GP trick worms are just as bad, I'll send you a mess of those too.

[NEBASSIN]

9 hours ago, MOsmallies said:

You will be there during the peak of the spawn. If water conditions are relatively clear, sight fishing will be a possibility. You'll be able to catch fish on just about anything. Fan-casting spawning areas with a Carolina-Rig, pitching behind docks with a Hi-Def Craw or Beaver, Topwater behind docks, skipping a senko around wood and behind docks. Lots of options! Have fun!

Thank you so much. 

[RogueAgent]

11 hours ago, NEBASSIN said:

I have a tournament coming up on May 5th. I have never fished this water before but from what I have during research is the bass will be spawning at this time. Is this correct?  Also what are the usual water conditions around this time?  Any advice on lures?  Is there a specific arm of the lake that seems to be more productive at this time?  

Thank you in advance

Look through the history of this forum for that time frame.  Also, go to bassresource.com and enter the word "ozarks" in the search box, then look at all the tournament reports for late April-May.  Some of these reports will help you get general ideas on what the fish were doing at that time of year.  There will be several large tournaments each weekend leading up to yours, watch for those reports as well.  (Big Bass Bash, FLW Central BFL, etc.) . Fish your springtime confidence baits and have fun!  Good luck!

[NEBASSIN]

4 hours ago, RogueAgent said:

Look through the history of this forum for that time frame.  Also, go to bassresource.com and enter the word "ozarks" in the search box, then look at all the tournament reports for late April-May.  Some of these reports will help you get general ideas on what the fish were doing at that time of year.  There will be several large tournaments each weekend leading up to yours, watch for those reports as well.  (Big Bass Bash, FLW Central BFL, etc.) . Fish your springtime confidence baits and have fun!  Good luck!

Thank you. Definitely will be looking up those results as well

[Old plug]

      After living on the shore of this lake for over 25 years. Whatever works for you. Good luck and hope you have a good safe boat. If you never been here you seen anything like LOZ on a nice boating weekend.                                                      

[NEBASSIN]

5 minutes ago, Old plug said:

      After living on the shore of this lake for over 25 years. Whatever works for you. Good luck and hope you have a good safe boat. If you never been here you seen anything like LOZ on a nice boating weekend.                                                      

It is definitely going to be the biggest water I’ve ever been on. I am hoping my Nitro Z19 can handle the lake. I have been told by others it’s probably a bit too small but hopefully there won’t be too many out there plowing that weekend.