Finally, some rain. Charlie and I managed to get out and do some fishing just before our first big storm of the year. Because of the last few small storms, the water is already starting to dirty up. Our first stop was Packwood Cove. The bass are just starting their transition from winter to their pre-spawn mode. We caught a few two pounders fishing 10-15 feet just out from the spawning flat in the back of the cove. Small rock piles and wood were both holding fish. Towards the afternoon we worked our way up north. At each spot we would pick up a fish or two using tubes and jigs. Because the overcast conditions, brown/purple was definitely getting the most bites. The reaction bite still seems nonexistent. Just to check, when arriving to each new spot, we would pick up a swimbait, spinnerbait, or ripbait. After making a few dozen or so casts without getting bit, we would go back over the same piece of structure with either a tube or jig and catch a couple. Before heading in we spent the last hour fishing by the bridge at the south end of the lake. While most of the fish throughout the day seemed to be sucked tight to the bottom, below the bridge I saw some larger bass suspended at 20 feet. With the rain starting to come down hard, I positioned the boat beneath the bridge while tying on a weightless 5" Senko on a light spinning rod for Charlie. We were sitting in 30 feet, of water and it took that Senko forever to hit the bottom. As the Senko fell slow through the suspended fish it finally hit bottom, right as that happened a healthy five pounder was there to pick it up. After a couple nice photos we let her go. That was one of the healthiest bass I have seen, fat, full of eggs, and not a blemish on her.
Today, the key was to slow way down. The water temp on Saturday was still 54 degrees, but with this big cold storm coming through the water will surly be colder by next Saturday.
