CJ

We are already catching fish on summer patterns. My most productive lures are: jig-n-trailer(black and blue,green pumkin) T-rigged 10" worm(Lucky Strike Original Ringer and Baby Huey) C-Rig Baby Paca Craw in summer craw(green pumkin/lime belly) DD22 custom painted green back/pearl sides DT16 in Bluegill w/ the belly dyed chartuese w/dip-n-glo

I saw that pic or it was one with the same case.Though where I saw it,it was explained as an accident.The bass were schooling and in a feeding frenzy.One or the other fish should have zigged when it zagged.

The poster did not give a time frame,therefore you have time to cover all the water you need with PLASTICS.

LBH,Sounds totally cool!When do you need them by?If you wasn't in an extreme rush I could come up with something from us rednecks on Ky.

6'6" Spinning Med Heavy 8# test Flouro T-rig 1/8 oz. sinker FLW finnesse worm grape with green and red flake I am a jig fisherman most of the time but this is my "works everywhere" bait.

Deep offshore structure and/or cover.I would try a jig or big worm.

The bucks are the first ones there and the last ones to leave.The males come in to make the beds first,then the spawn occurs.After the females are spawned out the bucks will stay there to guard the fry for about two-three weeks.I would guess the females may be spawned out there if you didn't see any?

I use a med power rod for spooks and spool on Trilene XL 12 # test.I want all the forgivness I can get out of my rod and line to help keep a fish from throwing the treble hooks.I try not to jerk the rod on a strike.I like to hesitate then just sweep the rod back. There are different speeds you will need to try.Sometimes slower with longer glides work better,sometimes fast choppier action is what you will want.A little slack in your line won't hurt.It will actually help the fish get a better hold on the lure and help keep you from jerking it away to fast. Hope this will help you a little.

I have been fishing post spawn fish for a few weeks.The fish I have been targeting are close to deeper water but still are accessible to the shallows.The first deep points next to the shallow flats have been paying off.

My 7 year old ,Tristan,started at age 4.He has backed off of fishing for now,you know how kids are. My 5 year old ,Gavin,started at age 3.He still loves to go.He caught his first bass on an artificial lure at age 4.It was a smalmouth he caught by dragging a tube.He has since became more of a power fisherman.He likes crankbaits and spinners.

When you have 3 rods that are worth more than your truck that pulls your $20,000 boat!

To me a chatterbait fish's alot like a spinner.I have used a slow retrieve with pauses.I usually kill it right on top of the cover or speed it up after bumping the structure,I have still not caught a quality fish on one.I feel like it puts out more vibration than a colorado blade.With that said I will be fishing it near major cover or in stained or muddy water.I think I may get better results with it if I match to the scenerio.

Randall,George,and Matt,Those are all things I have been considering.I think if I take ya'll's advice and gel it,I'm gonna get on to something soon.Thanks guys! CJ

Well I voted crankbait but it really depends on condition.I probally should have voted for a finesse jig because a jig is really my go to lure.My secret to locating bass really isn't a secret but a formula.It starts with a good topo and is mixed with a fishing trip.The main things I am looking for is:water depth the fish are holding,the structure and/or cover they are relating to,and the season I am fishing.I make a point to remember the fish I catch and every detail I can gather on how I caught it,where I caught it, the structure or cover it was relating to,and the water depth the fish was in and the water depth I was on.When I get home thats when I get out the topo(if I haven't already on the water)and try to put togather "WHY" those fish were there. Another thing to consider is off shore structure and cover when it comes to fishing pressured lakes.

I agree fishing a c-rig is one of the best post spawn presentations.Only a fraction of the fish are in the post spawn.I really haven't ever experienced what is going on.I have caught pre-spawn and post spawn fish out of the same areas.Some fish are spawning some are pre-spawn and some are post spawn.To break it down I am talking about a specific day where they are scattered and not biting well.Crankbaits,spinners and most power style presentation aren't working well.How do you slow down when you need to cover alot of ground?

Well some of them have spawned and some of them haven't.Hard to tell if a majority are coming or going.I had a great pattern going on some pre-spawn fish but it has died down.I followed those fish to catch 4 consecutive stringers over 15lbs.Those fish have disappeared,well some of them got relocated temporarily.The fish seem to be scattered from main lake ledges and points all the way back to extreme shallows.The problem is,what are a majority of them doing?I have been fishing inbetween(ledges and points inside the bays).I have been targeting fish that are coming and going.Yesturday I fish a tournament.Went to one of my hot spots and caught a 5 lber. on the second cast.Then couldn't get another bite.Went to another good spot,one keeper.I ended up with only 4 keepers from 4 different spots.I have caught fish with and without eggs.I just can't find any stacked up anywhere.And to go along with that,they weren't biting well at all.The fish I caught only hit the lure very lightly(it was a finesse lure).What do you do when fish are scattered out everywhere and want a small slow presentation?Anybody ever experience this Tough Time of Year?

The best pattern I have fished would be a jig or big worm fished on main lake ledges with stumps on the top.Last year in June I fished a BFL as a co-angler.I drew a very good local pro.We started out dragging a jig on the bottom.My first fish was 6lbs. 14 oz.,my second was 6 lbs. 3 oz.As the day went on the fish became suspended so we started lifting a big worm off the bottom.I ended up with 19 lbs.1oz.My boater ended up with 20lbs.15oz. to give us an even 40 lbs combined.

Classic Patterns is a set of disc that can be purchased.They were made by Mike Auton with a little help from Joe Thomas and the other pros on the shows.It is one of the best educational videos you will see.There were no staged catches and each segment was filmed in one day.I am not sure if Mike will make any more of the shows,I hope he does.

Minnows on a slip cork or a 1/16 oz. tube jig in pink and chartuese.Crappie are being caught 1-6 ft. right now.Start at 1 ft. and work your way out deeper as the sun gets out.Make sure your on some brush,preferably on a gravel bank.Most of the fish are caught right above the cover.

I fish whatever the conditions+fish activity,tells me to.I worked hard the last couple of years on finesse fishing and it has paid off.I almost always start out on the power side unless the weather is screaming finesse.

We have years where the bass would get in them.A spinnerbait has worked best for me.I would kill it in between the stakes or rip it after hitting a stake and then kill it.It is usually a short lasting pattern during the Spring and usually don't produce quality size fish.

I have the same conditions.I found fish today in the same places doing the same thing.I don't know what will happen tomorrow but the fish were bitng better this morning then they did after noon.I had 16.09lbs. in a tournament.The spawn is near.Most of the better fish were caught on secondary points.Good Luck tomorrow!

As I posted on another thread,I caught a LM that weighed 5lbs.3oz.I'm pretty sure it wasn't a buck,the bucks on this lake rarely exceed 16in.Anyway this fish looked as if she had no eggs.She really didn't look all that poor,just not as fat as the others I had caught.Nor did she have any indications,such as a wore tail,that she had spawned.I was just wondering does some LM not produce eggs?What are some of ya'll's opinions?Another funny thing is she was in the right staging area,according to the other fish.

Rolo,once again you are right.Preparation and observation would help determine the approach.

Preparation+Observation+On water experience I noticed you asked"when you get on the lake".Unlocking a pattern starts with the Weather Channel then the lake conditions,for me.