Friday, March 29, 2024

Prime time

Posted

Lake temperatures were rising into the 70s this week, and the fish are near their most active time of the year. If you can get on them when they are feeding, look out!

Luckily this time of the year, shallow-water action is possible most any day. Many fish will push the baitfish into the shallows.

This season is also when many of the baitfish species are spawning in the shallows. So where would you be if you were a predator? Most likely you will be shallow.

Though I advertise how I call fish in by thrashing the water most of the year, this is one time that when you’re fishing real shallow you want to be sure to not spook the fish. Keep the big motor off and approach slowly. Long casts may be in order, or if you use live bait, it may be good to float your bait into the shallows under a float or balloon.

Bird action can point you to active fish. Some of our wintering birds are still around, and they are always looking for an easy meal. Cranes, osprey and other birds may point you to active fish as well.

Largemouth bass are on the beds in the shallows and can be taken on top-water baits, spinnerbaits and soft plastics.

THREADFIN AND SHAD SPAWN

With the recent full moon, the threadfin and gizzard shad are spawning in the shallows on most every reservoir, and you can be sure that the predators are not far behind.

If you are a hybrid or striped bass angler, nothing is better than a tank full of large (4-to 5-inch) threadfin shad commonly called yellowtails. I would also keep the bigger gizzard shad this time of the year as the bigger stripers and hybrids are typically not afraid of taking a really large gizzard shad.

Currently due to the heavy water flow, some areas of the lake are stained, and there are lots of debris floating. Some of the better top-water action is reported near Indian Harbor and on the lower ends by Striper Alley.

Many of the sand bass are returning to the main reservoir on most North Texas lakes, and they will school up on baitfish on the surface. Most any shad imitation lure will put these fish in the boat.

Hanging below the schooling fish may be some bigger fish looking for an easy meal to fall their way. You may want to work your bait below the surface feeding fish as well.

Shallow-water presentations include floating plugs, swimbaits, crankbaits and spinner-type baits. A little deeper and you can work slabs and spoons. The slabs and spoons are excellent choices on structure this time of the year.

So if you can get away this time of the year, the action is there to be taken. Watch the weather and stay off the lake in high winds. We have had numerous windy days this season. Be careful on the water.

HOOD COUNTY FISHING REPORT

Some good striped bass and blue catfish reports have been reported on the lower ends. Sand bass fishing is fair to good mid-lake. Largemouth bass are good to excellent in the back of sloughs and creeks. Channel catfish are good on cut bait. Crappie reports are fair in the back of sloughs on small jigs and small minnows.

Black bass and channel catfish are good to excellent on most days on Squaw Creek. Soft plastics are on order for the black bass and prepared baits or cut shad will put catfish in the boat. I do not have a tilapia report for Squaw Creek.

On other reservoirs, the spring striped bass bite continues to be on at Lake Whitney. Most fish are being caught near the state park and near Bee Bluffs. Possum Kingdom sand bass continue to be good in the back of Cedar Creek.

michael.acosta@att.net | 817-578-0023