? Late pre/early spawn

[Swest18x]

I'll be heading out this weekend to a local lake. Submerged vegetation close to shore then drops off deep. Shaped like a bowl, clear water, largemouth and smallies.  I've struggled at this lake in the past but had a great spring this year with a jerkbait. Water temps should just be reaching 60 degrees. I'm looking for a game plan but not sure what to do, I don't usually fish during the spawn and it's right at that temp. Stay at it with the jerkbait in shallow water? Early morning topwater? Free rig a fluke or drag a dropshot? Just not sure at this temperature what to do.

[casts_by_fly]

For largemouth, I bet you're just before.  We are a week or two ahead of normal down here in north Jersey and Wednesday night I saw bass an bluegill on beds at 68 degrees, but the sunday before a different lake was 58-60 and I didn't see a single bed anywhere (it would have been warmer than that a couple days prior).  If you're at 60 degrees you'll only have just gotten there so I'm going to say prespawn but very near to the spawning grounds.  Should make for a good trip.  I'd start where you expect them to be spawning and then back off until you find them.  If it were me, I'd be looking in 8-10' or so which would be a jerkbait, mid depth crankbait, or similar.

 

The smallies should be on beds or also very very close.

[MediumMouthBass]

Jerkbaits/flukes on the outside of edges of the growing grass or weeds.

Throw a lipless/chatterbait in or past the grass, and rip it out of it or burn it over it.

If there are any lily pad stems (not grown but starting) run a square bill through them.

Dont be afraid to throw a popper or walking bait in the afternoon or evening either.

 

If they dont want moving baits try a texas rig or jig. Ned rig or shakey head for the finesse side of things, will catch either species of bass too. Try a wacky worm or even a big ribbon/curly tail worm if you have them.  If none of that works texas rig a tube, and hop it very fast off the bottom.

[MIbassyaker]

Very similar timing and situation on my lakes right now.  The last few times out, a weightless Super Fluke has been good.  Yesterday I got a few to hit a popper.

[Swest18x]

When I got there the water was even warmer than I thought it would be, 60 -63. I started out ripping a Bill Lewis over some weedbeds and caught three nice largemouth, later I did ok running the same jerkbait pattern that got me through the Spring. I won't be back til the spawn is well over, then it will be dropshot time. Thanks for the comments and advice.