School tournament

[Patrickcatalano]

Hi.

 

I am fishing a tournament next week for school. Today we had about 4-7 inches of snow but not all of it stuck. The past week has been hovering in the 60’s with a few days of 70’s. The day of the tournament is calling for 62 degrees with some rain and the entire week is supposed to rain. The water conditions are stained-murkey and it doesn’t get deeper than 15 feet but mainly between 4-5 feet. It is a soft bottom with some weeds underwater. What kinda baits should I use? 

 

Thanks

[Sam]

Patrick, any way you can go to the river or lake and get a water temperature reading in three or four places, if not more?

 

Remember, the water temperature guides the bass' behavior, followed by water clarity.

 

If the temperature is in the low to mid 50's then you fish s-l-o-w and deep. Or, look for shallow places where the sun warms up the water on the western and northern banks in the morning.

 

If the temperature is in the high 50's the bass are starting to get ready to spawn.

 

Low 60's means the bass are moving up and are following established paths to the spawning grounds.

 

Mid 60's means the bass are on their beds.

 

Now being in Michigan with snow means that the water temperatures have dropped making the bass lethargic and looking for some warmer water, mainly via the sun warming up shallow areas, rocks, or trees/brush, sunny sides of boat docks and boat houses and the western banks.

 

If the water remains dirty go with these colors for starters: Black or June Bug for plastics as a base; Fire Tiger and silver for both square bill and lipless crankbaits; white and chartreuse for spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits. Jigs fished on the bottom can produce results but you have to fish s-l-o-w if the water temperature is in the 50's. And don't forget your Shad Raps if you have any. 

 

The bass will tell you what they want. All you can do is experiment until you find the pattern. Be sure to search for some warmer water. Even a few degrees can make a big difference.

 

Not knowing the actual body of water does not help us with our answers. Please include the type of water (lake or river) and its location so we can consider other baits that may work.

 

Good luck in the tournament. Be sure to be flexible and change colors and baits as you have to. Keep an eye out for any pattern you find. Let us know how you do.

[Patrickcatalano]

10 minutes ago, Sam said:

Patrick, any way you can go to the river or lake and get a water temperature reading in three or four places, if not more?

 

Remember, the water temperature guides the bass' behavior, followed by water clarity.

 

If the temperature is in the low to mid 50's then you fish s-l-o-w and deep. Or, look for shallow places where the sun warms up the water on the western and northern banks in the morning.

 

If the temperature is in the high 50's the bass are starting to get ready to spawn.

 

Low 60's means the bass are moving up and are following established paths to the spawning grounds.

 

Mid 60's means the bass are on their beds.

 

Now being in Michigan with snow means that the water temperatures have dropped making the bass lethargic and looking for some warmer water, mainly via the sun warming up shallow areas, rocks, or trees/brush, sunny sides of boat docks and boat houses and the western banks.

 

If the water remains dirty go with these colors for starters: Black or June Bug for plastics as a base; Fire Tiger and silver for both square bill and lipless crankbaits; white and chartreuse for spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits. Jigs fished on the bottom can produce results but you have to fish s-l-o-w if the water temperature is in the 50's. And don't forget your Shad Raps if you have any. 

 

The bass will tell you what they want. All you can do is experiment until you find the pattern. Be sure to search for some warmer water. Even a few degrees can make a big difference.

 

Not knowing the actual body of water does not help us with our answers. Please include the type of water (lake or river) and its location so we can consider other baits that may work.

 

Good luck in the tournament. Be sure to be flexible and change colors and baits as you have to. Keep an eye out for any pattern you find. Let us know how you do.

Thank you Sam. It is part of a river that leads into a smaller lake. The general location is in the suburbs of Chicago.  

[Sam]

Chicago! Like dead people in the water like New Jersey?

 

Rivers flow so they will be cooler than lakes depending on the depth of the lake. So where the river water and streams enter the lake will be the coolest water.

 

Check the water temperature at the ramp and up and down the adjacent bank and to the second parking lot. This will give you a good idea of what is going on with the bass and where the water is a few degrees warmer.

 

There are some great spawning flats. Do you know the path the bass take to get to them?

 

Everyone will run to the South Dam. May or may not be a good idea. You need to consider hitting the fishing wall and fish out from it, too, for the ones that have not moved up.

 

Note where the map lines get close across and up lake from the Fishing Wall. This will warm up as it is on the western side of that part of the lake.

 

There are lots of good places to fish along the banks. Look for blow downs, any structure in the water, some grass (if possible), concrete walls or rip rap and anything that will hold heat. Shallow water will work when it gets warmer.

 

Just try your luck as best you can and have fun.

 

[Patrickcatalano]

Thank you so much Sam!! 

 

Tight Lines