Keeping a fishing log of your fishing trips is a good idea. You can look back at several years of notes and see what the “norm” is for the dates and conditions you are fishing. But you might want to put it on the shelf till next year or try to use it on a “curve” this year.
Fishing in lakes is a good three weeks ahead of the norm this spring. Patterns that are usually just now starting are now already past. Although the cool spell we have had recently has slowed things up a bit, fish are still ahead in there patterns and locations.
Broad River
The general trout waters of the Rocky Broad river have been doing well the past year or so. With the more difficult access to the river, fishing pressure seems to have faded and the fish are more cooperative. Its hard to beat Powerbait and good ole corn. But I like in line spinners like a 1/8 oz. Rooster tail in yellow coach dog or white colors.
Lake Adger
Bass fishing is still very good on Lake Adger. The small impoundment of a few hundred acres is pumping out 5 pound-plus fish regularly. Its hard to beat soft plastics for numbers this time of year. Finesse and trick worms fished Texas rigged, Carolina rigged, shakey head etc.
Green is still the color for the most part. Some folks like purples, browns and the sort, but day in and day out shades of green are the staple.
Flukes are a good early or late bait. Its hard to catch a big fish on a fluke, but if the fish are active a fluke is hard to beat. Shad colors are the best, with green a close second.
Lake Lure
Lake Lure is fishing good too. The fore mentioned baits work good on Lure, as well as Senkos, beaver baits, and the occasional floating worm.
I don’t have much to say about the crappie, they came and went for me this spring and now are hard to locate. The good thing is, if you find ‘em on Lure they are usually good size.
One final thought. Those of you who know me, know that I am not a fan of bed fishing for bass, that’s for a different time, but now fish are post spawn. Most females are feeding up to recover from the spawn and the males and some females are pulling three shifts a day guarding the small fry from everything from carp to bream to turtles to lizards. This is a very important time for the fry of future years. About the worst thing you can do is catch a limit of fish, haul them around in the boat for a picture, then release them 2 miles away from the place you caught them. Those fry left behind are as good as gone.
Studies have shown that in prime conditions, of the several thousand eggs that are laid by a decent size largemouth, only a handful (less than 10) make it to maturity.
So taking away about the only line of defense from these fragile fry is not in the best interests of the fish or the future of fishing.