Lake Russell Fishing Report – May 2010

Russell: Level: 0.5 feet below full pool. Temp: 65-70 degrees. Clarity: Light stain in the upper creeks.

Bass: Trad Whaley said the bass are just starting to get on the herring bite. “The spots are really getting on them (the herring),” Trad said. “There’s been a decent tree bite on spinnerbaits,” he added, talking about bass that get in the standing timber in the pockets on Russell this time of year. The trees may be in 30 feet of water or deeper, and the bass will suspend on the trees anywhere from 5 to 15 feet down. Also try topwater like a Bang-O-Lure with props or a Devil’s Horse twitched right next to trees first thing in the morning. On April 25, Trad said there were still a few bass on the beds, but in a week or so almost all will be done spawning. Look for the reef-pole bite to heat up for numbers of bass. Use crankbaits when they’re pulling water and Carolina rigs otherwise on main-lake points.