Mid April bass

We're still using the same methods that we outlined before and we're still having great success. You can even throw in the Mann's baby Minus One,Storm Sub Wart, Salmo Boxer and Berkley Gulp Minnows on 1/8 oz Slider Head jigs....it's al working right now.
Here's some pictures of some recent catches. Sunday was better than friday or saturday. The numbers for friday weren't that impressive. I did manage 4 largemouth bass from a local usually-hot pond, 3 of which were in the 18" range. After that trip I stopped off at my local river and caught two respectfully sized smallmouth bass in about 6 casts. I guess I should have stayed in the river.
Saturday morning Mike and i headed out at 6am for a couple hours on a local lake. Not a bad trip but not the best trip either. The late morning hours are a better bet right now but you gotta go with what time ya got. I caught 4 nice bass and a decent size catfish that hammered an X-Rap. Mike got about the same.
Sunday I had a couple hours to kill and hit my old stompin' grounds of Lake W. When my numbers are low...it's off to Lake W I go.
Throwing shallow diving crankbaits over shoreline boulders was the key. I had 7 within the first half hour. My total for this short trip would be 18 caught. Probably another half dozen missed. In that mix was another "Easter Pig", a 20"+ largemouth.

Later in the day I was able to sneak out and run down the road to the river before it got hit by heavy rains ( don't try the rivers for a couple days). I got another largemouth along with 3 smallies caught and two more missed in 30 minutes. One of those smallies was 18"+. All caught on a Berkley Gulp/ Slider head combo.
Here's some pics from the last couple of days.





Right now you could probablt catch dozens of male bass this size just about anywhere in the shallows.



But these are the ones we're looking for!



A couple shots from the river just before the rains hit on sunday. Notice that one of these smallies is missing a tail! Seems to be doing just fine. She was even sitting in a fast current area. Fought like heck too!

I lost two more this size out of an ULTRA fast current area. The key was to get the bait to land within 3" of the rocks. Anything outside of that small current break wouldn't get touched. Sometimes the "spot on the spot" is that small! Nice healthy 18" female smallie. She was obviously putting the feed bag on just before getting ready to spawn.

Remember to check your state rules and regulations in regards to catch and release of fish like these. In Illinois all smallmouth bass are C&R ONLY from April 1- June 15
April bass fishing with shallow cranks...



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