Monroe Lake Fishing Spot

Comments

• vinny60

  Surprisingly great bass fishing commences as soon as the ice goes off Monroe, which normally occurs by the third week of February. At that time water temperatures are 39-41 degrees so keep in mind fish movement is quite slow for their metabolism is at its lowest ebb of the year. You will want to fish the deeper and more clear water you can find; normally is down towards the lake dam. to 3/4 oz. Jigs (preferable black, black & blue, black & purple) tipped with medium size pork frog (black and/or black & chartreuse); these combinations are a must but other color preferences will work should your desires lean in that direction. There are other baits that will certainly put fish into your boat, such as spoons, jig and grubs, etc. Don't overlook the Sweedish Pimple (? oz..]size); and since its not tournament time yet, swallow your pride and sneak a live minnow on the hook end of that Pimple - you will be surprised with the results. You might even catch an 8 or 9 lb. Walleye! Should your good fortunes be riding with you and you be blessed with a warm and sunny day, the bass will most certainly move into shallower water. Drop the jigs and tie on a #7 or #9 silver Rapala (floating); or, other crank baits (Smithwick suspend lures, with each of these running no more that eight feet down. Also, do not overlook a carolina - rigged pumkin & chartreuse lizard, preferably 4 inch size. This combo works quite well in the back end of small embayments littered with old stumps and dead trees. Good areas for this action are located within the confines of Sugar Creek, Ramp Creek, Moores Creek, Saddle Creek and Eel Creek bays. The foregoing fishing conditions will prevail until the third week in March, when warmer days will get the water temperature up into the low 50's. Jigs will still prevail as the better fish producing baits, but the introduction of spinner baits and medium running crank baits will certainly bring good fish to the boat during this period. Color selection is variable, but white & chart- reuse spinner baits are very popular; blades can be any option of willow leaf, Indiana, or Colorado - silver in color, unless stained water would necessitate changing to gold or bronze blades. Colors of the "cranks"also will vary but shad, black & silver, crawdad, black & chartreuse, or, the color of your choice will fit the bill so-to-speak. By the time April arrives we will be into "prime time" all the way through the end of June. Monroe is awesome at this time of year, for you have the full use of all your favorite baits regardless of name, color, shape or size - all of them will catch fish, and probably you"ll even catch the one that got away last year. Mr. Bass will move into the pre-spawn areas (normally 8-12 foot feeder ditches, but close to the main creek channels. Here they will stay until water temperatures reach 63-67, then they move to their spawn area, which normally will be 1-3 foot water. We all know it"s tough to get those huge sows to hit at this time, but perseverance will pay off - just hit em in the head with a spinner bait and they?ll break your arm. After the end of June, and thru the Summer, your friendly bass will return to their normal habitat (namely the main creek channels) where water depths will range from 17 feet in the upper end (Crooked Creek) to 45 feet in the lower end (Monroe Dam) There are exceptions of course, but now your plastic baits come to the fore, whether they are worms, grubs, skirted grubs, lizards, frogs or crawfish. Relative to this subject, experience has taught us the nine,ten or eleven inch plastic worms & lizards will definitely produce big fish all the way through October. Black & blue-flecked, black with blue tail, pumpkin-seed and pumpkin with chartreuse tail are the most popular colors. Also during this period, and due to extremely high water temperatures, your deep running crank baits (down to 24 feet) are a "must" for your tackle caddy. That is about it for now, but should you ever have the good fortune to fish Monroe when the lake is over eight feet above pool or better, just remember what has been written here; the only other thing is getting to the fish----just get your boat going about 50 miles per hour, and drive it right into the woods. When the boat stops - start fishing!