The thermocline is the KEY
Don Schnable
September 28, 2012
Bull Shoals - Freshwater Fishing Report
The thermocline is in the 28 to 35 foot range.
Largemouth Bass - They seem to be staying shallower then the other bass. At least that is where people are catching them.
- top water is working the first hour of sunlight and last hour of sunlight.
- square billed or flat billed crank baits. Bluegill colored - this is working early and late in the day.
- Spinner baits are producing lots of fish on windy banks and cloudy days.
- large 8 to 12' plastic worms are working in brush piles
Smallmouth Bass - Same patterns as the largemouth plus these.
- split shot a live crawfish in 25 to 35 feet of water.
- spilt shot a night crawler in 25 to 35 feet of water.
- split shot a 4-7 inch trick worm or other plastics in 25 to 35 feet of water.
- plastic baits that simulate a crawfish in 25 to 35 feet of water.
- jig n frog or jig n plastic in 15 to 35 feet of water.
- jigging a spoon in 25 to 35 feet of water.
- Soft plastic baits in 15 to 25 feet of water. Try a variety or different baits and mix it up. Tube jigs, gitzits, 4 inch finesse worms, 5-7 inch plastic worms, French fry worms, lizards, brush hogs ect. Green pumpkin, cotton candy, brownish seem to be the best colors.
Spotted- Kentucky bass - Same patterns as Smallmouth. Most of these fish are hanging around the thermocline. They aren't usually shallow.
Night fishing for bass has been very good. They seem to be coming up a little shallower after the sun goes down. The reports I have been getting are you can catch them in 0 to 20 feet of water on just about any night pattern there is or you like to throw. Spinner baits, jig-n-trailer, grubs, tube jigs, hula grubs, plastic worms, ect.
Target Species:
General
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