What to use now

[BASSNLAKELAND]

I am fishing a lake called Lake Horney in Lakeland, its a small pond, but is filled with bass including at least 2 over 10lbs that were released into it. I have had good luck in late afternoon from like 5-8pm fishing a redshad Wave Worm bamboo stick, its like a senko. But what might work during the morning in some of the open water away from the lily pads? the lake is shallow, at deepest mabye 8ft, got any ideas?

[brendanc]

Have you tried fishing a spinnerbait in the morning? Texas rigged 4" and/or 7" worms fished in heavy cover almost always produce fish where ever you fish.

[BASSNLAKELAND]

Should i try the spinnerbait shallow or out in the"deeper" water. This lake isnt very deep, so should i run the Spinner along the outside of the lilypads to try to get them outta there or try to catch them that are on the bottom in the grass in open water?

[Topwater]

Cole, I live in Tallahassee and all of our lakes are shallow and weedy, probably much like the lakes in your area. A spinnerbait is very good in open water. The lake I fish most is also only over eight feet deep in a few spots and it is over ten thousand acres. Depth when fishing this water really means the water column above the weeds, and that is rarely over 3’-4’. I like throwing spinnerbaits over the deepest areas and you will find this works throughout the day. The more wind the better the fishing gets. You should catch fish at all depth but I fish spinnerbaits as deep as possible when I am fishing it in open water. I keep them shallower in and along the edge of pads. A rapala should also be a super bait and will work anywhere whether the lake is very weedy or has only sparse vegetation. I find in smaller ponds and ponds without vegetation the small rapalas (#9) are better but in bigger and weedier lakes I throw a larger (#13) bait. Stick with a simple color like black/silver and try fishing it parallel to weedlines/lilly pads and in open water.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Don't overlook buzzbaits and other topwater lures. Also, a ten inch worm fished on a 5/0 hook with no weight can be deadly. You might even try skimming a 1/2 ounce bass jig tipped with a #1 Jumbo pork frog. Make a long cast and start the retrieve immediately, keep the lure on the surface, it will make a wake and fish hit it just like a buzzer. Good luck. Johnnie