Bartletts Ferry Fishing Report – April 2008

Bartletts Ferry: Level: Full pool. Temp: 58-60 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Good. “The fish have definitely moved up on the banks now,” said Dennis Hudson, whose Tuesday-evening tournaments started March 18 with the time change. Spinnerbaits, Texas rigs and the occasional jig bite led to five-fish sacks in the 12- to 14-lb. range the last half of March, which is the norm at Bartletts Ferry. There is still a decent dock bite, but the females are getting ready to go on the beds. “Most of the fish I was catching were the small males,” he said. “But with the full moon coming and the water temperature, the females should be moving up to the beds this week.” Dennis suggested running down the banks with a 1/8- to 3/16-oz. Texas rig or a weightless Senko or lizard to target bedding fish. Good colors are junebug or green pumpkin. Dennis said the fish seemed to like the green last week, but their preference is subject to change.

Crappie: Excellent, according to Robert “Smitty” Smith. “The spawn is almost in high gear right now,” Smitty said. “Look for them in shallow brush and blowdowns. As we get into April, look to the north end of the lake as the crappie and hybrids will be active in the river areas. Small creeks like Blanton will be a hot spot for crappie. Fish right from the banks of the campground or across the creek in the trees. Jigs fished below a cork work well this time of year. Be sure to change depths until you find where they are feeding. The spawn will be winding down on the lower end of the lake and Halawaka Creek. Look for the crappie to be on brushpiles and deep-water docks. As the month comes to a close, look for them back out in 15 feet or deeper water. Trolling or spider rigging will be the best method for postspawn.

Linesides: Good. Right now the stripers are in shallow water up the creeks. “I have caught several in the 8- to 10-lb. range the past week pulling jigs tipped with minnows. The color changes with the light and water color. Light colors in clear water. Darker colors for stained water,” Smitty said, adding that by April the hybrids and stripers will be running up the river to the shoals area just below Lannet Dam.