early spring clear water

[Bass XL]

All right, i have a tournement coming up on the 24th. It is on a clear lake in southern missouri/northern arkansas. I have never fished the lake, and was wanting to know: what lures/presentations are productive on clear lakes in early spring. I know this may be a broad question, but any answers are welcomed.

thanks.

[MALTESE FALCON]

My best producer in the spring is a jerkbait.

Falcon

[basspro48]

Like Maltese said a jerkbait is a really good choice in early spring. But my favortie techniques for early spring are cranking, throwing a spinnerbait, and pitching a jig.

cranking- For water above 52 degs. I like a round bodied crankbait like a Rapla DT-4, Bagley Kill'r B, or a Bandit 200 series. But for water under 52 degs. I like flatsided crank like a Lee-Sisson. I fish these baits on a 6'6" Medium action All-Star American Classic with a Pfleuger Supreme casting reel and 14lb Stren mono.

Spinnerbaits- I generally use spinnerbaits from 5/16-1/2oz with 2 gold willow blades. This is because I like to fish the bait pretty fast in the clear water. I mostly use either Terminator, custom-made, or my homemade spinnerbaits. My favorite colors golden shiner, chart/white/blue, and a custom color I call shiner/glimmer blue/glimmer green. I use the same gear with this as I do with jig fishing.

Jig- This time of year I'm normally fishing clear,shallow water so I like a 1/4oz or 5/16oz Conquistador jig in summer craw and black/blue. I throw em with a 7' MH action Kistler rod with a Shimano Curado and 15lb Seaguar fluorocarbon line. I pitch to any shallow cover I can find and I retrieve it with quick hops or I swim it.

[Shakes]

In really clear water, its always best to throw the most natural colors. For spinnerbaits or cranks, white,silver, or something translucent. Soft plastics, I'd say something dark green.. or brown or purple.

[Curado]

Lipless crankbaits and spinnerbasits in grass on points. Jigs on points.