April proved to be a good month on the Shenandoah River and local lakes. Due to above average water temperatures this spring, bass were feeding-up in preparation for the spawn. Not all bass will spawn at the same time. Water temperatures and weather patterns will have an effect. So, for the first couple of weeks of May, spawn patterns will come into play.
Finding fish will be easy, but getting them to eat will be a bit more challenging. Begin fishing shallow, hard bottoms around anything that breaks the current. Lay down trees or rock piles, and look for eddies along the banks. Bass will use these areas to spawn. In the slower areas of the river, fish flats that have cover such as wood or grass. These are the areas I like to fish during the spawn. Texas rigged creature baits and lizards would be a good choice. Bass don’t like anything hanging around their nest.
After the spawn Bass will be in a post spawn pattern for a couple of weeks around mid-May. Bass will hit about any presentation you throw at them. The tackle box will be wide open. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, chatter baits and the lure I like to throw is the top water lure. Poppers, walking baits and my favorite is the buzz bait. Bass will literally crush them after the spawn. It surely is a good month to catch that lunker. So, get out there, be safe, wear that life jacket, and look out for each other.
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John 14:1-3.
Whatever the struggle, whatever the faltering on your faith journey, remember this, there’s a place in heaven already waiting, fitted for you. Jesus wouldn’t have said so if it weren’t true. Let’s praise God for all he has done, and for preparing us for that place.
God Bless!
Mike
