Ronnie Garrison
Well-known member
Went to West Point to try to find some fish for a club tournament Sunday. Got there about 9 and headed to a point near the dam that was loaded with fish two years ago this time - hooked one 6 inch bass on a crankbait on it.
Eased into the pocket behind it and looked for bedding fish. Lake is 5 feet low and very clear right now. Saw lots of carp but no bass. Threw a Trick Worm to every stump I saw and caught a 16 inch largemouth by one. Only bite I got in that creek in two arms of it.
Ran out and hit a hump and a rocky main lake point with a Carolian rig - no bites. Idled around an old roadbed but saw no fish or baitfish.
Went into another creek and started riding the bank. Started seeing bass hovering and cruising around dark patches - the fish would not stay in one spot but moved constantly. Would look at my bait then run off. Tried the Trick worm, a white lizard on jig head and a jig and pig. Caught a 13 inch largemouth I didn't see that hit a Trick worm twice - threw to a dark patch and line took off, missed on the hook set. Threw right back and landed the fish.
Near the back of the cove saw a 3 pound fish cruising a patch of grass - dark patch on the bottom. I guess they are spawning on the dark bottom because it holds heat a little better. I have a theory that early spawners spawn in more shallow water because they need more sunlight due to cooler water than later spawners need, so later ones spawn deeper.I think the fish I am seeing are males looking at beds sites but not fanning yet. Maybe the females will move in by Sunday but it will be cloudy then.
Caught a couple of 11 inch spots on stumps on the Trick Worm.
Went to the next creek and same pattern - caught a couple of short spots and one 15 inch largemouth. Water was a little more stained and saw no spawners.
Next creek caught a couple more spots casting the Trick worm to stumps and letting it sink. Also got a 15 inch largemouth - that made three keepers for the day - not too great.
Water ranged from 69 on the lake to 77 in one backout . Saw big schools of shad in every cove. Left at about 5:00 - a couple I talked with at the ramp that morning called me the next morning to say they saw me leave and were catching fish like crazy when I left, fish turned on just before 5 for them.
Eased into the pocket behind it and looked for bedding fish. Lake is 5 feet low and very clear right now. Saw lots of carp but no bass. Threw a Trick Worm to every stump I saw and caught a 16 inch largemouth by one. Only bite I got in that creek in two arms of it.
Ran out and hit a hump and a rocky main lake point with a Carolian rig - no bites. Idled around an old roadbed but saw no fish or baitfish.
Went into another creek and started riding the bank. Started seeing bass hovering and cruising around dark patches - the fish would not stay in one spot but moved constantly. Would look at my bait then run off. Tried the Trick worm, a white lizard on jig head and a jig and pig. Caught a 13 inch largemouth I didn't see that hit a Trick worm twice - threw to a dark patch and line took off, missed on the hook set. Threw right back and landed the fish.
Near the back of the cove saw a 3 pound fish cruising a patch of grass - dark patch on the bottom. I guess they are spawning on the dark bottom because it holds heat a little better. I have a theory that early spawners spawn in more shallow water because they need more sunlight due to cooler water than later spawners need, so later ones spawn deeper.I think the fish I am seeing are males looking at beds sites but not fanning yet. Maybe the females will move in by Sunday but it will be cloudy then.
Caught a couple of 11 inch spots on stumps on the Trick Worm.
Went to the next creek and same pattern - caught a couple of short spots and one 15 inch largemouth. Water was a little more stained and saw no spawners.
Next creek caught a couple more spots casting the Trick worm to stumps and letting it sink. Also got a 15 inch largemouth - that made three keepers for the day - not too great.
Water ranged from 69 on the lake to 77 in one backout . Saw big schools of shad in every cove. Left at about 5:00 - a couple I talked with at the ramp that morning called me the next morning to say they saw me leave and were catching fish like crazy when I left, fish turned on just before 5 for them.
