8LB NICE!!!!I'm in Michigan also don't see many of them.The pads are the ticket.Throw a hollow body frog(KVD sexy frog) and work it slow let it set on the open areas for a moment than work it some more.Get yourself some Gamakatsu finesse W.G weedless 4/0 hooks and some finesse worms watermelon red flake rig it wacky style (hooked right throw the middle) with a 4' fluorocarbon leader tied to braided main line (I use 10lb test for leader and main line, liter the better)and a sensitive rod with an extra fast tip ( I like St.Croix myself) flip her out there and let her fall on slack line.I like the braid for the sensitivity.But the leader so they don't see the line.Bass are very good at seeing your line. You can usually get it to enter the water without a big splash.For the deeper part use the some worm but rig it on a drop shot wacky riged throw her out give her a couple pops.Don't make it to difficult with color selection on the worm but try to match what's in your lake.Watermelon is a good place to start.Don't be scared to throw that wacky rig into the pads also. Use briad on anything above surface and fluorocarbon on anything below.Hope this helps. With that being said, it don't sound like your doing to bad with a 8 pounder!
GOOD LUCK!!!!
