Fishing has been good this past week. Patience and persistence is sometimes necessary, along with an understanding of what fish are doing during this season of the year. The better baits for bass are normally rattling crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastic lizards and creature baits. Topwater jerk baits are coming into their own as the water temperatures rise.
Downlake, bass are holding on dropoffs adjacent to the buckbrush, on points, and in brushpiles. Best patterns seem to be topwater baits on points and along rock bluffs early in the morning, moving back into 8-12 feet of water after the sun comes up, with jig ‘n pig, Carolina-rigged lizards and small Yamamoto Senkos.
Uplake from Clarksville, bass are holding on creek channel dropoffs and cruising the flooded gum trees. Better choices of baits include plastic worms and lizards and Yamamoto Senkos, fished nearly weightless.
When fronts make their way through the area, the fish may hold as deep as 30 feet. Jerkbaits are also taking some bass, when fished very slowly, right up next to the brush covered banks.
Crappie are taking bass baits throughout the lake, as they are very aggressive. Lots of 2-3 pound crappie are being caught.
Catfish are taking cut bait and most normal catfish baits.