headwaters bass fishing

The lake is 12.8” above regulation. Water temps are around 74 degrees when I’m starting. The boat ramp is clear but there is a grass island close to the ramp. The S Canal was slightly blocked this morning but is now clear.

Top baits this week for me were the Zman Jackhammers, John Laurenza Jr. half ounce spinnerbaits (gold blades), Bass Assassin RSB worms and the Mike Bucca 6” Bull Shad Bone color.

When fishing the Bass Assassin RSB worms I’m fishing them on 22lb fluro or a Fluro leader with a 6/0 EWG hook. Fish the Gooseberry or Watermelon Red weightless and very slow around pods of hydrilla. You will catch fish and you will catch big fish if they are in the area. You can take this tip to the bank! The pic in this report was caught on this rig.

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 are catching several 4-6lb fish on these baits. Seems like golden shiner is a little more productive.

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. Golden shiner with gold blades was 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. My son and I fished these one afternoon and we slayed the 4lbers on these spinnerbaits.

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!