by Keith Hudson
Lake is full pool, clear with the water temperature low to mid 80’s.
Bass: Slow – It’s a typical summertime pattern; some largemouth are starting to show up on deeper brush piles and road beds as the water warms. Try deep diving crankbaits or Texas rigged Ol Monster worms. Best fishing is around brushpiles in these areas. Topwater baits such as Pop R’s, Zara Spooks and buzzbaits can still be effective for shallow fish, especially around bream beds.
Some spotted bass are being caught by casting Spot Remover heads loaded with Shaky Tail worms or just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom finesse worm or mini lizard around sloping gravel banks. Also try a small Texas rigged worm or a pig-n-jig around blow down trees. Try fishing around the bridges and bridge pilings with small crankbaits and shaky head rigs, especially during periods of water generation.
Linesides: Fair – Spawned out hybrids and stripes are down lake now in good numbers. Expect the downline bite on live bait to continue to be at least OK throughout the summer. Some fish are starting surface schooling on the main lake and can be caught on Rooster Tails, topwaters, pop-n-cork rigs and Storm Swim Shad lures. Trolling with crankbaits is also fairly effective and can help keep you cool on a hot day!
Crappie: FAIR – Spawned-out fish will typically move out and hold on deeper brush and structure or under docks. Try dropshotting minnows or shooting docks near deep water for the best results. Night fishing is usually pretty good all summer. Try under the bridges with lights.
Bream: Good – Don’t forget about our bream and shellcracker. Finding an active bed can take a little effort, but when you do, you can have a ball! Bedding usually takes place on the full moon cycles in the summer. Look for shallow cover in the backs of pockets. Sandy flats and stump beds tend to draw the fish like a magnet. Use live pink worms, crickets and small jigs for the best results.
Catfish: Good – Lots of channel cats are being caught by the few anglers that target them. Live and cut baits (and worms of course) fished on bottom will catch cats all over the lake, as long as fairly deep water is nearby. Jug fishing is also fun and productive. To target flatheads, go to a larger bait like a 4-5 inch bream or large shiner and fish the same areas. Be sure to increase the size of your rigs as fish in the 20-30 pound range are fairly common.