Hi all,

.    I live in North Georgia and don't get to fish as often as I used to, so I thought I might seek your advice. I've got a trip planned to a small private fishery (also in north Georgia) on the third weekend of April around the new moon and im expecting the bass to be spawning. The lake im fishing is about 20 acres, holds big largemouth, has a good mix of cover/structure (including blow downs and rock piles), and the lake has a lot of crappie in it. I have not seen shad on my previous trips. With this info, could you guys suggest some ways to target bass other than site fishing in these conditions? In the past I have had my best success there in the shallows on 6" Texas rigged zoom lizards. I have also had sporadic success on a spinnerbait, senkos, and a Devils Horse. I have caught several fish in the 3 and 4 lb range but none of the big females I know are in there. What would you guys do? Thanks so much in advance!!!

p.s.(the attached picture is of my big fish from last year, caught on a devil's horse on a rainy day)

Try the Rage Tail Structure Bug on a Jika Rig and as a  Rage Blade trailer. I would also suggest the Cut-R as a trailer.

 

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I am around you and fish ponds frequently. The drop shot rig has been my best producer during the spawn, once you cast it right into the nest you can keep the lure there for minutes. Let it drop to the bottom and twitch it to make it appear it is eating the eggs, then jerk it to try and get a reaction strike. My favorite would be a zoom 6" lizard, preferably in a lighter color so you can see it. If that is not natural enough you can switch to a ribbon tail worm that is a little more subtle, and from there you could use a senko or a good bluegill imitation like the big bite baits warmouth or basstrix bait fry bluegills.