headwaters big bass

The lake is 14” above regulation. Water temps are around 69 degrees when I’m starting and by the late afternoon will peak at 73. The boat ramp is clear and the S Canal is slightly plugged but easy to get around it.

Top baits this week for me were the Zman Jackhammers, John Laurenza Jr. half ounce spinnerbaits (gold blades), and the Mike Bucca 5” Bull Shad Gizzard Shad color.

I’m fishing the half ounce green pumpkin or golden shiner Jackhammers in areas with scattered hydrilla and in ditches. I use a 4.5” Hogfarmer Spunk Shad in green pumpkin magic or TN Shad. Fishing these on flats with scattered hydrilla or along ditches with hydrilla lines. We boated a bunch of fish under 4lbs the past three days on these baits.

The Mike Bucca Bullshad 5” in Gizzard color is my go to bait for swimbaits this week. Get on the Bullshad email mailing list so you can get the bait drop info. The only way to get the Trick Shad and Glides are go to a bait show that Bullshad attends or through the bait drops. Sign up at Bullshad.com

I’m fishing John Laurenza Jr. spinnerbaits slowly in ditches and on the flats. The half ounce size has been the best for me and I use a paddle tail 4” die dapper by Bass Assassin for my trailer. Gold and shiner were my best colors. I like fishing these just above the grass or I’ll reel it down a little deeper in the ditches to catch bigger fish.

The live bait bite was crazy this week. Lots of big fish full of eggs. Grass edges near deep water is the key. Hyacinth or floating vegetation packed in canals is another really good area to check out. Shiners should be getting more available as the water temps warm and their spawn comes to an end.

Tight lines!