Water temp 70
BASS
I have caught a lot of bass shallow this week. Fishing with a soft plastic bait has been productive . I have been using a carolina rig, watermelon seed crawfish Strike King Rage Craw. Don’t expect a hard hit, most bass are just picking the bait up and moving it off their bed areas, you will just feel your bait go weightless and move as the bass is moving the bait off their bed, at this point you can casually set the hook. Most of the Carolina rigging I am doing is in the lake. Below the Dam I have caught several fish on natural colored Strike King Series 3 and 4 crank baits real close to the bank in rocky areas and along trees that have fallen in the water. With all the rain and cold weather this week I do expect fishing to slow down a bit but I think it will pick back up fast.
STRIPE
The best baits are small grubs, and Strike King crank baits and inline spinners. We have caught more white bass below the dam. Fishing along the main river banks. When current is running strong you are sure to catch a limit.
Rockfish(Stripers)
Rockfish are biting right now yellow tails minnows are present. If you use a sassy shad you will usually out perform store bought minnows. You can troll a deep diving crank bait in the late afternoon and catch a few stripers that way as well. Right before dark have big top water bait ready because they are starting to come to the surface. Make sure you use a top water bait that moves a lot of water when it is moving across the turbulent surface.
Sauger
Sauger fishing is about over with. In the last couple of weeks we have just caught a few on small deep running crank baits.
Catfish
Catfish are bitting good right now. They are bitting night crawlers in 5-15'. We are catching a large number on big flats.
Crappie
Most people report crappie are bitting in 16-18' on hair jigs.