If you have lived in the Valley most of your life, you know that the weather in March can be unpredictable. Some days were brutally cold and windy, keeping anglers at home. And we had some days in the 60 – 70-degree range when the parking lots at the boat ramps were full.
The spring of 2023 has arrived. Bass will begin to move out of their wintering holes into more of a shallow pattern as water temperatures begin to climb into the 50-degree range. This will trigger a pre-spawn pattern, which will take place in mid to late April. Bass in our area generally spawn the first part of May. During the transition leading up to the spawn, bass will move up to shallow water to feed and back off into deeper water at times.
I would start with a square billed crankbait in the 4-to-6-foot depth of the area you are fishing. Spinnerbaits and chatter baits are also good choices in the same area. There will be some bass still just off the banks in deeper water. I would target these fish with a jerk bait or a deeper diving crankbait, the jerk bait will produce a lot of strikes even in April. I throw a jerk bait all year around.
Another good area to fish is the spawning flats or just off them. I would cover these areas with a rattletrap. On warmer sunny days I wouldn’t rule out a top water lure. Remember fish are swimmers and they move around a lot this time of year, so you will just have to cover a lot of water until you find where they are and what type of mode they are in. Sometimes reaction lures just don’t work. That’s when you’ll have to slow down and fish with jigs with a chunk, or a Texas rigged worm. Target areas with wood or rocky areas and work your jig slowly through the cover. This should put some bass in the boat.
April is a big bass producer, so I hope you get time to get on the water and luck into one of those big girls. Remember if you catch a spawning fish, handle it with care, get a picture and release it quickly. Fishing for the future depends on how we take care of it today.
We celebrate Easter this month. For Christians it’s the most important Holy Weekend of the year. Jesus took the sins of this world, yours and mine, on his back and died a horrible death on the cross. His body was placed in a borrowed tomb, and on the third day God raised him from the grave. For Christians that’s what we celebrate. The resurrection of our Savior Jesus.
Because of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, he is alive and present with us today. Whatever situation you may be facing right now; feeling hopeless, facing the struggles of this world or maybe you are feeling empty. There is hope because the tomb is empty! If you don’t go to church, go this Easter Sunday and perhaps you’ll come to know what Easter really means to you.
Those who trust Jesus are never alone! God Bless!
Mike
