Stuck in limbo...

[JWall14]

Anything over 40 and fish can be regularly caught on moving baits. It may be harder than summer but still doable. You probably have to go deeper or different locations than you are used to. 47 (as long as water is clear enough) screams Jerkbait to me...

[jtharris3]

We’ve had very similar weather here in SE Michigan. My best baits so far have been chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. I’ve also caught a few on Texas rigged creature baits. 

[cdlittle]

Went out last night since it was in the 50's and we're due to drop back into the 40's again. Caught a beautiful little chunk slow rolling a little paddletail (Donkey Tail from Mule Fishing) along the bottom. First time trying this rod since I built it, so I'm not sure if it's just more sensitive than I expected or if he hit like a truck, but it was a freaking solid bite.

 

http://imgur.com/a/UUATOXH

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On 4/16/2021 at 8:08 PM, DitchPanda said:

Pretty sure bass spawn in the 60-63 water temp.

I dont think its that cut and dried.  There aren't many guarantees in fishing and at what temp the fish will spawn is another example.  I've seen fish on beds with water temps in the mid 50s and some fish may not spawn until the mid 60s or warmer.    

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On 4/16/2021 at 1:02 PM, DitchPanda said:

So like last year we had early ice out, had some good warming and now the weather is 50s for high and 30s for lows. My buddy told me the water temp locally is 47 and its been there for a while. I never really know what to do when faced with these conditions. I have ideas of what to do in colder and warmer water but this weird middle ground always messes me up. Do largemouth feed well in these temps as long as they are stable temps or is it to cold? Is 47 moving bait temp or slow down temp this long after ice out?

When the water hits around here 45 the fish start to feed more aggressive and stack up.  The fish know what time it is regardless of water temp, they know the nights are getting shorter and even if the water is cold they will still become active.  

I like to throw a chatter bait with a creature bait trailer like a smallie beaver.  I can fish it like a jig or fish it more like a crank bait depending on the mood of the fish.  The other bait I have to have tied on is a JB.  CBs can be great too, but I do much better on them when the viz is 3ft or less and or the wind is really blowing.

Dont forget shakey heads and ned rigs.  The fish around here stay keyed in on craws for most of the prespawn.  So not only do you get numbers, but size as well.