Lake Russell Fishing Report April 2014

Russell: Level: Full pool. Temp: Low 50s. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Guide Bill Speers reports, “This month will allow you to choose your technique as you can catch fish in prespawn, spawn or postspawn phase. If you like looking for late prespawners, head toward the southern end of the lake as this section will warm last. The fish will take flat-sided crankbaits like the good old faithful Bomber Flat-A or a Thundershad coffin-bill. I have had considerable luck on the Greenfish Tackle shaky head with a Reaction Innovations Flirt. If you want to work the spawners, mid lake should be your choice. The fish will be on bed in the backs of coves and pockets. Make sure you have a good pair of sunglasses, and look for those light-colored beds. Remember, the fish can be easily spooked, so be quiet and use your trolling motor sparingly. I am still old school and use a pole to push myself along in the shallows. I like to use soft plastics that I can easily see when throwing to the bedding bass. Remember, it may take quite a few casts to irritate the fish enough to take your baits. Another technique that works quite well is to throw a drop shot past the bed, and slowly work your bait into view. The advantage of this technique is that the bait will stay exactly where you put it and will not move when you shake it in the face of a fish. At the upper end of the lake, the fish will be in the postspawn mode, and you will find them in the same location as you found them in prespawn as they head back out. Some folks believe the fish will not bite as well in the postspawn period, but I believe they are ready and willing to strike if you give them what they want. Again, flat-sided or lipless crankbaits are the ticket, as well as a Greenfish shaky head.”