As of now the run to the banks and flats and coves has been very limited, if you’re at the right place at the right time you might find a pre-spawn pattern. If not, you’re fishing 9 to 12 foot drops and edges’ looking for what appears to be a winter pattern.

My advice to you is, if and when we go from cold to hot, work these pre-spawn patterns but don’t waste all day if you can’t find them. Head directly to the spawning grounds and work your baits slowly and methodically to see if the bass have jumped our normal pre-spawn patterns. The perfect bait to check this pattern with is a Tight-Line jig or the new Secret Weapon Recoil rig. Either bait allows you to work in the shallows around stumps and add a lot of action to the bait. Tight-Line Jigs give the ability to work around stumps, be very selective and move it slowly and/or stroke it to produce a reaction bite. The recoil rig can be shaken and dragged through the spawning grounds and just intimidate a bass into striking while they are trying to clear and area for the spawn.

Regardless of how you approach the drastic change from cold to hot temperatures, I believe, with it being already March, the fish will make changes in patterns and they will make it quickly as the weather turns. The bass, I believe, have a biological clock and it is turning and they won’t waste much time in in-between patterns.

You can buy the SWL Recoil rigs on-line at www.secretweaponlures.com use my FLGGS9 code get a 30% discount for your on-line business or buy them locally at Waterfront Tackle.

Captain Mike