Bull Shoals

[daymere]

[size 2]Wilderness Trail said rain, rain and more rain describes the weather the middle of last week. The lake level rose two feet and is now at 653.91, which is almost normal pool. With this rise in the lake and lots of run off the water has muddied up around the watersheds and in the back of the creeks. Lake temperature is also up with the warm rain. In the back of the creeks you can find 50 degrees and the main lake is at 47 to 48 degrees. Weather outlook is high 50's and low 60's for the upcoming week, so we could be rounding the bend into the spring bite. When you run the lake, keep your eyes open for floating debris washing off the shore as the lake level rises. Crappie are doing well in the upper part of the Theodosia arm and from Lead Hill to Tucker Hollow. Brush piles, bridge pilings and pole trees are holding most of the crappie. Crappie minnows and Swimming Minnows are working the best. Largemouth bass are turned on in the upper part of the lake due to the heavy rains last week. The backs of the creeks and pockets are stained and have warmed up to 52 degrees above Tucker Hollow. Spinnerbaits, Wiggle Warts in V74 or V38 and suspending rogues are the baits to use. Largemouth in the rest of the lake are scattered from the points to the back of the pockets, creeks and in watersheds. Crankbaits, rogues, Lucky Craft and jigs are your best baits. Remember it is not spring as yet and the largemouth are roaming so to catch one here and there is okay. Smallmouth bass have moved to the pea rock points and banks with the lake rising. Transition areas along the pea rock banks are your best bet on catching a few smallies. Use Spider Jigs, tubes and suspending rogues along the banks. Most of the smallies are in the 14 to 16 inch class and they are feeding on crawdads. When the wind is up switch to Wiggle Warts or Bandit crankbaits in the same areas. Kentucky bass remain with the shad. The good news is that the shad are moving into the back of the creeks and pockets, the bad news is that the water temperature is not warm enough as yet to hold the Kentuckys in with the shad. They will run in and feed on the shad, then move back out on to the steeper chunk rock banks. Suspending rogues and Spider Jigs are your best baits at this time. Walleye are back up on the flats in the 125 Boat Dock area and above Lead Hill. Shad Raps, crawler harnesses and Reef Runners are the best baits. In the rest of the lake the walleye are holding on deep chunk rock points and the deep sides of flats at the entrance of the creeks. Fish 30 to 48 feet of water with Reef Runners, Mojo or split shot crawler rigs or spoons. When the main lake temperature reaches 52 degrees the spawn run will start. Lead Hill Boat Dock said crappie are 15 to 20 feet deep around brush piles in the creeks hitting live minnows. Bass fishing is fair up in the creeks with crank baits[/size]
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