April 14, 2011
Bass fishing continues to be very good at Lake Amistad although, I have been seeing some major transition of fish behavior over the past week. Many of the bass are moving from spawning activity to becoming post spawn. I would say the 80% of the bass have completed the spawn and there are about 20% left to go. Once we complete the next full moon cycle on 18 April I believe we will be just about completed with this year’s spawning activity besides the late few that will trickle in and out until the end of the month. As the water has continued to warm and the days become longer I am noticing good grass growth in many parts of the lake and the bass that are coming off the beds are starting to set up in good numbers around these areas. Water temperatures are now into the high 60’s to low 70’s everywhere on the Lake. Lake elevation continues to stay at conservation pool (1117ft above sea level).
Current Patterns -
Shallow: There are still some good sized bass using the shallows for the spawn and this will be coming to an end in the next week or so. I am targeting the big fish with 5 inch Optimum swimbaits retrieved slowing around grass cover. I have also heard good reports about the River Slung hand poured swimbaits from Anglers Lodge. When the wind allows utilize very light weight texas rigged plastics such as the El Grande Hatch-Match sticks and any straight tail worms worked slowly around wood cover for excellent success.
Mid-Depth: Many of the fish are in post spawn areas. I have found the best places to locate these fish are the same areas I found the pre-spawn fish back in February. Typically, the closest deep water (8-20 feet) drop next to spawning flats have been the most productive. These fish are not very active at this time due to their exhaustion from spawning so utilize slower presentations to target these fish.
Fishing Forecast Tip: In the next few weeks look for bass to begin eating up the topwater baits as they renew their strength from the spawn and begin to feed heavily on shad and bluegill that will be located in the shallow waters.
See you on the Lake,
Kurt
