Lake Sinclair Fishing Reports – April 2021

Sinclair: Level: 0.4 feet low. Temp: 64-67 degrees with some pockets getting to 70 by late afternoon with a full day of sun. Clarity:  Ed at Lakeside Chevron said above the railroad trestle is mud red with heavy stain to Little River Marina. The only clear water is near the dam, but there’s enough pollen on and mixed in the water that it appears slightly stained.

Bass: Tournament angler Karl Pingry reports, “Over the last month it has been taking over 20 pounds to win the team tournaments. It slowed a little Saturday with just under 19 taking top spot in Berry’s. The bite turned tough with the last cold front, but a few baits are still working. A double turtleback-bladed spinnerbait is working up the rivers along with a crankbait. As muddy as the water is, make sure you’re using a bait that really puts out the vibration. Big worms on the docks in black emerald and junebug red are catching the bigger fish. A popping frog in the grass had really started to work until this cold front. Look for this pattern to come back as the water warms. A Rat-L-Trap is still working shallow, and a wacky-rig Senko and the merthiolate Trick Worm are working on the bass trying to spawn.  Look for the bite to be tough with this cold front coming at presstime. Most fisherman try to stay away from cold, muddy water. Just keep in mind that most of Sinclair is muddy or heavy stained already, so don’t let the water color get in your head. The shad spawn will start up soon. Spinnerbaits, shallow crankbaits, buzzbaits, Trick Worms and a Pop-R will be the baits to use at first light along seawalls and rip-rap. Fish the same areas out to 4 feet. Once the shad spawn finishes, the bass will still be there. Sight fishing for bedding bass is going to be impossible for at least 75% of the lake. Carolina rigs with heavy and light weights will be the way to fish for bedding bass in the stained and muddy water as well as a Senko and the Sinclair favorite—a merthiolate Trick Worm. Stop in to Lakeside and see Ed before hitting the water to get an updated fishing report this month.”