Big M area, April 15

[Quillback]

Got to fish with M&M (Mike) today, we launched before 7 AM and headed up the lake.

I got to the ramp early, got stuff ready and had a few minutes to kill, so I threw a Surge Shad around.  Saw a bass swirl on something right off the rip rap at the edge of the parking lot, so ran that Surge down the bank and he took a swipe at it, first top water fish for me of the year and as I always do, I forgot to wait until I felt the fish on before setting the hook, so I jerked it away from him.  Threw down the bank again thinking I for sure had spooked him, but danged if he didn't grab it again and this time I caught him - turned out to be the best bass I'd catch all day.

I really like that Surge Shad, throws a lot further and easier than a Red Fin and wakes well right out of the box.

We caught around 30 bass between the 2 of us today, something like 5 or 6 were keepers.  Mix of spots, Largemouth and a couple of smallies.  Number one bait was the 2.8 Keitech, couple swimming a Trick Worm on a Slider head, one Ned fish, and I think I remember Mike getting one on a jig.

The fish were shallow and some were deep in 20 FOW.  Some were in coves and some out on the main channel, we'd have some action for a while and then have stretches of 15-30 minutes where we would not get any bites.  Just had to keep poking around to find fish.

Quite a few bass boats out today, saw a wrapped truck in the Big M lot, so I checked the Regatta listings and there is an MLF/FLW Phoenix division tourney this weekend, 200 boats in the permit.

WT was 56 first thing in the AM.

 

[jeb]

Sounds like a great day! I got one on a top water the other day, too. Love it when they start biting on top. 

[Dutch]

The Big M master at it again.  Congrats on a good trip.  On our end of the lake we couldn’t find any cove fish.  Almost all of our fish were point related with gravel being best.

[Quillback]

50 minutes ago, Dutch said:

The Big M master at it again.  Congrats on a good trip.  On our end of the lake we couldn’t find any cove fish.  Almost all of our fish were point related with gravel being best.

We started on a couple of gravel points and didn't do well on them, but we were throwing top water to begin so maybe that had something to do with it.  

[Dutch]

We started on transition banks hoping for some cheesemaster jerk bait fish.  Then moved to ledge rock banks cranking but the fish had moved.  We were 2 hours in and little happening.  The gravel was basically a go for broke idea as nothing else was paying off.  We had a lot of fish bite the worm but not take it.  They wouldn’t bite the Ned at all.  I doubt that I could catch a fish on a swim bait if it were in a bucket.

[m&m]

Quillback certainly is the master out of Big M. I enjoyed the day watching him catch most of the fish. His chartreuse jig head was certainly the deal. I’ll have some next time for sure. It was a great time fishing and getting to know a bit more about him. Thanks a bunch. 
 

Mike

[Royal Blue]

3 hours ago, Dutch said:

We started on transition banks hoping for some cheesemaster jerk bait fish.  Then moved to ledge rock banks cranking but the fish had moved.  We were 2 hours in and little happening.  The gravel was basically a go for broke idea as nothing else was paying off.  We had a lot of fish bite the worm but not take it.  They wouldn’t bite the Ned at all.  I doubt that I could catch a fish on a swim bait if it were in a bucket.

The crankbait fish I was catching were on chunky rock with gravel around.  All of them in the 1st or 2nd cut of a creek.

[crazy4fishin]

I would have loved to have that action last week....good report...now I am going to have to buy one or seven of those shad thingy's just to keep up with the Quillbacks!! 😊

Actually I think the action was more in your apparel! The way that you hat is turned up may be the new backwards hat rage ☺️

C4F

[merc1997 Bo]

i got out yesterday afternoon.  fished a bit further down than you.  we caught them pretty good.  did not put in until after 2 and was lucky to land on some right off.  caught them on pea gravel on the ol' holy rogue.  we caught several too on a 1/2 GrassJig naked with a 2.8 kietech.  some were on the bottom 20 to 25 ft. and some suspended.  my buddy also did pretty good on a popper.  had quite a few keeps and all were k's with several magnums.  caught a few short brownies, and also had three walters.  one short and two of them 24 to 25 inches.  the eyes are just now spawing.  k's are eating up and you will see a few of the usual early bedders.  time will tell, but from what i am observing about bait and fish positioning i feel it will be a very lat spawn.

i know last year many were saying that the spawn was all done, but i caught a lot of big brownies even in june that were not near spawning yet.

areas where bass are really ganged up are still not numerous.  even using 2d sonar and knowing what you are looking at will help you unlock some clues.  you don't always need the live imaging to catch them.  you are supposed to use your brain some, not just have everything handed to you on a plate.

 

bo

 

 

[dtrs5kprs]

15 hours ago, merc1997 Bo said:

i got out yesterday afternoon.  fished a bit further down than you.  we caught them pretty good.  did not put in until after 2 and was lucky to land on some right off.  caught them on pea gravel on the ol' holy rogue.  we caught several too on a 1/2 GrassJig naked with a 2.8 kietech.  some were on the bottom 20 to 25 ft. and some suspended.  my buddy also did pretty good on a popper.  had quite a few keeps and all were k's with several magnums.  caught a few short brownies, and also had three walters.  one short and two of them 24 to 25 inches.  the eyes are just now spawing.  k's are eating up and you will see a few of the usual early bedders.  time will tell, but from what i am observing about bait and fish positioning i feel it will be a very lat spawn.

i know last year many were saying that the spawn was all done, but i caught a lot of big brownies even in june that were not near spawning yet.

areas where bass are really ganged up are still not numerous.  even using 2d sonar and knowing what you are looking at will help you unlock some clues.  you don't always need the live imaging to catch them.  you are supposed to use your brain some, not just have everything handed to you on a plate.

 

bo

 

 

Excellent observation about the spawn. It's a big old puddle, not all of them pop at the same time, or are in tune with the waves that move in.