This weekends forcast. What do I do? Help!!!!!

[jettech]

Hi Folks.

Im a newbie who needs some advice. I live in the memphis area. I just happen to have the next five days off. With the weather heading cooler for the next five days (below 60) what would be my best fishing strategy? Ive read quite a bit but am quite confused on how to go after them. The electronics on my new fish/ski is so old as to be worthless. I really want to get at them Friday, Monday and Tuesday. But have no idea what the fish will be doing? The FF on this boat doesn't even tell water temp. (new electronics coming for birthday at the end of the month.)

thanks for any advice

Jeff :-?

[fishizzle]

just get out there and fish!

throw everything

is it prespawn time there or what?  Start with the weeds and throw a senko :-?

can you estimate the wtr temp?

[bassman31783]

First I would cover a lot of water with either a lipless crank or a willow blade spinnerbait.  Once I found the fish I would post up at that area & pick it apart with jigs/crankbaits/spinnerbaits/jerkbaits/soft plastics/etc...

[jettech]

I have no idea about the pre-spawn or or any of that.  Thats one of the things confusing me.  As far as water temp.  I'll have to ask someone. i guess.  Good thing im not shy. LOL  what should I be looking for about now..... 40's or 50's.   The only fishing tech I really know is throwing around the stuff around the edges.  Am I wrong in  thinking its too early in the year for them to be up this shallow?  deep water bassin is something I've never been exposed too.  (totally lost on that skill)

Thanks for the response.

[fishizzle]

they could be in 6" water under overhanging brush or out in 8' water.  Fish what you know until you locate them.  Don't throw deep cranks if you don't have confidence in it.  I like to find weeds that are growing and emerging and I like the rattletrap and spinnerbait idea.  Post back after your first day on the water and refine you post with your observations for more help.

[jettech]

Ill do just that.....thank you sir.   

[bassman31783]

Totally agree with "fishizzle" to fish what your confident with, whatever that may be. No matter how cold it gets, some fish will stay in relatively shallow water. The ones that stay in shallow water when cold will usually hold tight to cover which holds heat. That may be tree stumps, rocks, brush or just the bottom of the lake. Good luck, & do post back after day 1 to let us know how it's going.

[jettech]

Okay....Ill stick to what I know....and I play bass also BTW. 

[roadwarrior]

Just want to catch a ton of fish? The white bass

are on fire below Pickwick Dam. Specifically, the

sand in front of the honky tonk and the back side

of Diamond Island.

Bass fishing has been strong for guys fishing

out of McFarland. We had a big day last Saturday

fishing lipless cranks and Wiggle Warts for large

mouth. Although we couldn't find the small jaws,

try the bluff walls and the front of the islands.

All of our bass were caught in 4-8' of water off

gravel banks. TVA is drawing the lakes down to

winter pool, so there is no grass in the water.

Water release is currently 45,000 CFS and will

be maintained through the weekend.

Good luck!

8-)

[BigEbass]

I am a relative newB too  man - live in Alabama though - water warmed up a bit sooner down here - now into the mid 50's - I agree with the recommendations given to you so far - those bass in prespawn can be found really shallow or just off from the shallow in mid-depths like on points etc...

I absolutely agree with lipless crank and spinner bait - I have had consistent results finding them in areas with these - dont forget when fishing an area with these baits to count the down and fish various depths - with our very basic electronics that show mainly depth - you still can find flats to probe with these baits, points, humps, ledges, etc...just keep a look out at it for structural changes and just start chunkin.  They have been hitting the shad here off an on - keep that lipless crank on a rod at all times in case you see a blow up - get there ASAP and chunk to it (past it or laterally that is) and you likely will get a fish - gotta love when this happens - I know I do  ;D

As far as a weather front - I would overthink it - just let the fish tell you what to do - just cause there was a front doesnt necessarily mean that the baitfish and the predators will move significantly from their usual spots.

Have fun!

[bassinbob54]

if the water temps are low i;d use a jerkbait myself a lucky craft pointer 89 has been really good to me so far this winter and i fish a lot..good fishing to you