Opening Day

[fiker]

I know this fishing thing is a mental game.  Also, that ya gots ta have a plan.

This is what I think I've learned this winter, and this is my plan.  Please critique. 

Because of what I think the lake is going to be doing on Saturday this is my plan.
I'm going to my local lake (probably Half Moon) and will look for the hard bottomed sheltered bays on the north end of the lake.  I will start seaching for fish at the first drop into deep water from those spawning bays.  Preferably on the inside of a weed line.  If no fish are located, I"ll work shallow from there and sight fish.  If still no fish, I"ll move back out into deeper water, and try there.

I'm planning of using jerkbaits (probably naturaly colored even though there is a forcast of sunny skies), rattletraps (most likely red), and slow rolled spinnerbaits as search lures (chartreuse and white).  If need be I'll slow down with tubes, twin tailed grubs, and maybe even a Carolina rig.

If I get to the lake, and what I think is supposed to happen isn't happening, then I'l modify and adjust.

Am I on the right track?  I've never fished for Bass this early in the year.
I bow to the expertise of those more skilled and practiced than I.

[djkimmel]

Pretty good plan. One of my best search, find and catch lures of the spring, especially for shallow bays and inside weedlines, is a Bomber Shallow A in Red Craw, Blue/Chartreuse and shad. They have a wide roll and dive a foot or less. I've caught some big ones on those and had days were I really caught a bunch.

Little better for me for bass in less than 6 feet than trap type lures.

X-worms (stick worms, Senkos, etc) are great and versatile for this time of year too, along with flukes.

Remember the bite may pick up as the day progresses because of warming water.

[fishstick]

there might be a few fish you can see out there this weekend

[canvsbk]

I always liked a man with a plan.
My best early search bait is an x rap. Alot of times this time of year you'll find the fish "suspended" ( sunning themselves I think ) 1/2 way down in 6 - 8 FOW.
I look for those little warm spots, isolated weed patches, a log or anything dark.
Kinda like fishing GTB in July!

[raisinrat]

Well fishing could have been alittle bite better this AM, got about 15 smallies saw 2 on beds today. One was VERY big maybe around 5 lbs or so. Got some nice rockies has well. Biggest fish was about 16 inch most where 12 to 13. Going out tommrow night, more than likely going to a different area. I fished about 3.5 hours then had to come home and clean up the house.