timber and stumps

[carl]

We have a club open the 2cd/3rd of April. It's being held on a reservoir of about 1000 acres. The water is crystal clear. There are bays and coves, but overall it's a long narrow lake. Two thirds of the lake is stumps and timber. Last year the winner used spinner baits on short coves on the main lake. This is a tough lake, one that I have never been able to crack. I've never been able to find any spawning beds; I'm told the fish nest on the tops of stumps. A guy who is on the Tour fished it several years ago and didn't crack the top thirty. If the fish are in prespawn where would they hold? And if indeed they are nesting on stumps, any suggestions on baits and presentations? :p

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Carl, it is a proven fact bass will nest on top of stumps when better cover is lacking. I suggest Slug-O- type baits with no weight. Slither them along the surface oiver the stumps. Don't jerk them, that might spook the fish, just swim them ever so slowly and add just enough twitch to add some ripple to the surface water. Don't forget, stumps have 7 hiding places for bass when they're not on top. Top-underneath-left side-right side-in front and behind. Fish each of these areas. Bass can lie there undetected. Also try fishing out away from the stumps, often, there are massive root systems that hold bass too. For these areas, try shallow crankbaits, these can even be effective in clear water.
Also, be patient. Let the Slug-O- fall onto the top of the stump and wait. The bass may swim off, but will come back and most likely will attack the intruder. Good luck, hope you do well. Johnnie

[carl]

Thanks Johnnie.