Craig Taylor, Pro Bass Fishing Guide

The lake is down about 1 foot.  It is getting to a point where it can be dangerous with all the stumps, even if you think you know the lake.  The bass fishing seems to be good one day and two days later they won’t bite in that area.  The key is 9-12’ of water and finding the balls of shads on the break lines.  I had a good guide trip last Saturday and caught 23 fish on a half day trip.  We caught them all on a Carolina Rig.  There were no big fish but we consistently caught fish.  Big bass can be caught on a black and blue jig. The bite is slow.  When they finally bite the jig, it’s a big fish.  Fish slow with lots of patience.

Fellow fisherman love this sport.  That’s the reason we chase bass all over country. Be aware of how our lakes are being abused by some people with litter and the destruction of the ramp and park facilities.  If you see something, report it. Let’s take care of God’s creations and be thankful we have the opportunity to do what we love it do.

Lake Talquin April 2010

Amos from Dayton, Ohio and I spent a productive day on the water catching 16 bass on a ½ day guide party.  The largest being 9lbs 2 oz.  Some were caught on top water and some on plastic worms.  We found them in the back of bays and creeks.  I was in the process of taking a picture of Amos with his big fish and it slipped out of his hands and returned to the lake. I should have snapped a picture of the look on his face!  I also fished our club tournament that weekend.  My partner, Audrey (picture) caught her very first limit of 5 off the back of my boat.  She was so excited she called all her family members.  We both had limits that day. The bass were still in the back of bays and creeks.  They are no longer there however.  They are on their way to the main river ledges.  Audrey’s husband caught a 13lb 1oz. bass in the tournament and won.

Talquin is a jewel of a small reservoir lake full of fish of all species.  Blue Gill and Shell Crackers should be spawning on the next full moon.  Crickets or red wrigglers will catch them.  The Crappie are in the creek channels around 8-10’ and can be caught on small jigs and minnows.

Lake Seminole, N. Florida April 27, 2010

            These fronts wrecked havoc on fishing.  I’ve been practicing for the FLW American Series. One front after another makes the fish move from their previous locations.  When the front comes they move to deeper water.  When the weather stabilizes they are usually shallow.  High winds also reposition the fish as well as the fluctuation of the water levels.  You need to take all of this into consideration when fishing.  Experience is the best teacher.  I’ve been successful with a rattle trap and top water bait.  However, the next day you have to figure it out and try it all over again. A rattle trap and big worm seem to do the trick.  Blue Gill and Shell Crackers are starting to bed.  You can catch them with crickets or red wrigglers.