Well, the cool in the air this week was awesome. Just walking out side at 5 in the morning the air is crisp and has a smell of freshness. I really enjoy this time of year. You need a lite jacket and a pair of wind pants on the first run and then the sun gets out and starts to warm the air. The fish react to these changes as well. The morning can be started with a top water, spinner bait, Texas or Carolina rig, and a weightless bait. There has been some schooling action off and on all day. Keep a lipless crank bait ready at all times to get to the fish when they come up. A tail spinner is another good bait to keep handy for schooling fish. The Lake Fork Tackle Zig Zag and Twitch Worm fished weightless or wacky style around grass and main lake points. These baits are good on schooling fish as they sink very slowly staying the strike zone longer.
I have done well this week on spinner baits fished off points in the now present brush that is sticking up. This water is shallow to 8 foot deep. I am slow rolling ½ ounce double willow leaf spinner baits, chartreuse and white. I have fished them all day a few days and done well. As I said, this time of year you can throw your favorite bait all day and have a good day.
I would start the day working shallow and after noon move out to the humps and roadbeds and use your electronics to locate the bait and fish. Carolina rigs, spoons, tail spinners, and swim baits will be the best baits to catch these fish.
The crappie are running a little small with a few keepers mixed in but this will change soon. There will be plenty of keeper moving up soon as the water starts to cool off. The water temp is running form 80 to 85 degrees. Twenty five foot of water from 12 to 18 feet down has been the depth. The usual baits have been working small jigs and minnows. The fishing is only going to get better from now on and this is a good time to get to the lake as many fisherman are hunters and they are heading out dove hunting leaving the lake open for the fisherman.
The Mc Donald tournament is fast approaching and I have seen many fishermen who are putting their patterns together. I have some open dates if you want to book something to get a heads up for the tournament.
Call me and we can set a date.
Jim Reaneau
1-888-918-5088