As we talk about Lake Jackson in NW Tallahassee, this is almost my favorite month to fish this legendary “Hawg” factory. Lake temperatures should range from 52 – 64 degrees throughout the month of February. With water levels just a tad below normal and most vegetation has died back, you can move around the lake pretty well. Look for pockets that get a lot of sun and are somewhat protected from the wind. Lots of different things can break that wind such as docks, houses, trees or even cat tails. Cat tails will deliver two things that are key to early pre-spawn fishing. One, is they’re usually around hard bottom, and two, is the amount of cover that they give from the wind which makes for a very good place for big bass to hang out. On warm sunny days, I like to throw baits that are subtle in the gin clear Lake Jackson water. Watermelon and/or Pumpkin seed are good choices. On cloudy days, you can’t beat June bug for soft plastics, but my all time favorite this time of year is the hard jerk bait. As big bass lurk on the edge of these areas that are combined with the clear water, warming temps and a calm day, a 9 inch Rapala left laying on the surface for up to a minute can be deadly. Of course, there are other favorites that I use when the wind blows so I can work it faster. That is a swimming worm or a spinner bait. While some females are still feeding up for the spawn, others are just patiently waiting for the right conditions to move up and do their yearly spawning thing. Again, the sides of the lake that are protected from the wind, combined with warmer waters from the sun, are the places to concentrate on this time of year. Remember, be safe, have fun and ALWAYS wear a life jacket while boating!
By JR Mundinger-Professional Guide
www.FishTallahassee.com