Barren in April ???

[Les Young]

What's the normal pattern on Barren in early to mid April ??? A buddy called & wants me to fish a tourney the company he works for is having.I've only been there in mid May in spring & then around Labor Day Weekend at night. Thanks

[DaveR]

Spinnerbaits and carolina rig lizards on edges, little flats and points. There are some banks that folks line up on to take a turn to fish. You can also turn up the river or creeks and go flipping and pitchin Jigs and Tubes. Any Don't forget RattleTrap type baits for the fish grouping up on flats.

Smallmouth may be hitting surface by mid April.

Its a great time to fish.

[mtn lures]

Go to skaggs creek. Excellent this time of year. It is deep enough to hold fish year round. If the water is low be careful, it is full of stumps. There is shallow water that makes great pitchin and spinnerbait water. Several flats,channel banks,and cover.I have brought over 19lbs out of there more than once. It is no secret so you will not be the only boat back there but it has plenty of water to fish.

[Les Young]

Ok thanks fellas. I do fish Skaggs & Peter Creek when I'm down there. I just don't really know the lake well. I do the usual jig, tube & brushhog thing when I'm down there. Again thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

[RICHYD4U]

Ok thanks fellas. I do fish Skaggs & Peter Creek when I'm down there. I just don't really know the lake well. I do the usual jig, tube & brushhog thing when I'm down there. Again thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

This will be my first spring as a boat owner, so I am stoked! Had lots of success last fall up in Skaggs & Peter Creeks. Lots of fish in there! Can't wait for this weather to change! COME ON!!!!!

I have also heard that slow rolling colorado spinnerbaits in chartreuse with gold blades is killer @ BRL in the spring time. Look for timber and bump them threw it.

See ya on the water!

-Rich

[smashdn]

I would say it depends on the water level what kind of pattern the fish are on. Last year the water was up in the trees. Year before it was even farther up (I believe).

If we don't get much rain it may well be 5-10 foot below normal for that time too.

Good luck.

[RICHYD4U]

I would say it depends on the water level what kind of pattern the fish are on. Last year the water was up in the trees. Year before it was even farther up (I believe).

If we don't get much rain it may well be 5-10 foot below normal for that time too.

Good luck.

It sure was hard to get to them with that water way up in the trees! Hope we don't get that much rain this year. IMO

-Rich

[alycat]

Hi I have a tournament there at the end of march. We still have ice on the lakes around here. So as far as the lake is concerned. Would the water normally be clear, mudddy, stained?
IS there grass or mostly rocks and laydowns. Should I go up in the creeks or fish points on the main lake. This year we are also doing Nolan and Rough river. Any info would be appreciated.

[smashdn]

Hi I have a tournament there at the end of march. We still have ice on the lakes around here. So as far as the lake is concerned. Would the water normally be clear, mudddy, stained?
IS there grass or mostly rocks and laydowns. Should I go up in the creeks or fish points on the main lake. This year we are also doing Nolan and Rough river. Any info would be appreciated.

Barren gets drawn down 25 foot each winter as it is a flood control lake. Therefore there is no grass. You will find fish on points, ledges and on old wood. The banks are mostly all gravel or chunk rock and bluffs in places. What color the water will be will have everything to do with what kind of weather between now and then. As of two weeks ago it was a good clear green color. We havn't had a significant rain or snow since then. The lake is at winter pool now.

I can't speak for where to catch bass as I don't bass fish much. But I will say be carefull and good luck.

[alycat]

Thanks for the info it will give me a better Idea as to what to bring. Sounds like most of the lakes up here. So it should be a good time. Thats the beginning of our season and we 18 have tournaments this year. And I'd like to place better than 6th this year so I'm working hard at doing my home work on the lakes we're fishing. This is a great site I'm glad I found it while being snowed in for a few days last week. Alot of good info and great guys...

[DaveR]

To be in the top 5% I suggest you read a bunch, study topo maps more (even on the crapper if thats all the time you have) be on the water as much as humanly possible and your budget allows, keep logbook, and try not to listen to much dock talk, be versatile while concentrating on your strengths, and keep a keen eye for what you see others on water doing, but on't let it throw you, you need to know who's successful cause 90% of anglers aren't on the most productive pattern to win.

[DaveR]

Hi I have a tournament there at the end of march. We still have ice on the lakes around here. So as far as the lake is concerned. Would the water normally be clear, mudddy, stained?
IS there grass or mostly rocks and laydowns. Should I go up in the creeks or fish points on the main lake. This year we are also doing Nolan and Rough river. Any info would be appreciated.

No Grass that I know of, muddy to stained water. you've got a real mix of rock, gravel, clay/mud banks on barren. To win on mainlake you'll need to know which points and drops are productive bounce around on them rolling a big 3/4 oz spinnerbait. I like the drops around mouths of creeks, more mud/gravel than rock. Majority of fish will come from warmer water, but the mainlake can produce big largemouth and pretty much all of the smallmouth. There are big largemouth that live in creeks and river too though.