LAKE NOTTELY

reds and browns popular colors to use. A jerkbait is another favorite of mine. I throw it on a medium action, seven-foot rod with 10-12 lb. line. If a dreaded cold front moves through, or the sky is cloudy, the bass will move off a little deeper than they would be otherwise. This is when slowing down with a shaky head worm or jig would be beneficial. I like to look for the closest staging areas prespawn bass will be. This includes the end of a bluff or deep rocky bank, the outside corners of a pocket, or the mouths of the creeks. They need to have deep water access close by, in order to, go deep when the cold hits. Contrary to popular opinion, the biggest bass are typically the ones to move up shallow, first. Even on cold days, these lunkers will be sunning up shallow, scoping out areas for bedding, when the water hits 60 degrees. Of course, there are plenty of other species for anglers to target, such as crappie, bluegill, and stripers that are all coming alive at the start of spring! If looking for a true giant, email me!