garland7

By the drawing, I would say flip or pitch the openings you can reach, as rec. using heavy enough tackle. That large opening, from where you are at on the bank, your going to have to deal with the grass. You may have some luck with some frog type baits there, but again - have to have heavy enough tackle, and will deal with the grass.

Many things will affect where the bass will be, and their activity level. Things like light penetration ( because they are ambush feeders, so may move out and suspend or bury up ), oxygen levels, current ( rivers and lakes ), Moon and sun phases, water temps., Ph levels, season and all that stuff. I am Like you, like to be out before the sun comes up and as it is going down, ( better topwater in warm sunny weather ), but lots of times have caught my bigger fish later in the day, and usually not right on the banks.

Any of the above can be good, just have to slow down the more off colored the water. If you fishing muddy water, try to find the cleanest water available. Be patient, sometimes real long night, but sometimes worth it.

No Pro here either, but what I would look for on points ( structure), is does it have any cover? ( such as standing trees, brushpile, laydowns, weedbeds etc. These are a plus to points or anywhere else. Also, your probably in the post spawn up there in the buckeye state, so points still near spawning area's but close to deeper water are a good bet. On your approach, I would lay off the point fan casting all area's before doing anything else. Naturally target the visible cover. If that doesn't work, try moving to the shallow end and fish deep to shallow, just some thoughts that have sometimes worked for me

I have had pretty much the same scenario here in south Alabama, just a little further away from Alex, but still plenty of rain. Going this weekend myself to a local lake. If it stays overcast, I think the topwater and spinnerbait bites will be good. But, it depends on how much the water (oxygen and PH ) has changed because if the rain. I think its going to be moving around, until I find a concentration, then slow down. If your fishing a river, good chance they'll be scattered a bit, so your probably going to have to cover some water too!

don't feel lonely. getting out of bed in the morning for me, is like stepping into a bowl of rice crispies, "Snap, Crackle, and PoP"

I have been in those scenario's before, and they are flat out wrong! he obviously didn't read my blog on ethics. Sorry it happened to you, but as stated, this is normally the exception instead of the rule.

Way to hang in there and go get them! Thanks for sharing

Looks and sounds like a fantastic day, thanks for sharing with us.

thats what its about!

great advice from ragetail! take it easy, have some fun, and you will find the fish will come!

Good looking fish! Jealous here,lol,congrats!

The fish will tell you! But usually use the lightest weight possible. Also consider the cover, sometimes you have to peg the bait just to get through it! keep that in mind too.

been there too, pretty much the same, no place to hide. not a good feeling

way to stick out the heat and be patient!

great looking fish! I bet it was really a blast with the tackle you were using, especially from shore! good job!

how about a buzzbait or chatterbait?

Your right! " don't get any better " !!!!!!!

Congrats and good luck in the future. If it's burning a hole in your pocket, I know some places you could spend it!

Sounds like a really fun day. Thanks for sharing

Pretty fish, bet that made the day. Thanks for sharing

Nice! Bet that one made you happy! Thanks for sharing the pic.

I would experiment some with a buzzbait around the weeds and brush. You may get a nice surprise.

Take yourself some dry dogfood and wet it down with water. let the water soak in, the make yourself about a softball size of it up in your hands and toss it in the water. Don't pack it to hard, you want it to scatter out some after it hits the water. If the shiners are near, they will get it in just a couple minutes. Be ready with a cast net.

Well Done!