Recent tournaments weights came down a bit but remained strong as summer patterns become entrenched as it took just under 20 pounds to win a major event May 19th. The early morning top water bite has been consist ant with anglers working the vast amount of shoreline grasses with a variety of offerings. Local favorites include buzzbaits (a spinnerbait designed to run on top), plastic frogs (Ribbits/Horny Toad/Berkley Bat Wing) as well as Frenzy Poppers, Pop Rs, Yellow Magic, Frenzy Walkers and Spooks to name a few.
Work these over points as well as along shoreline grass adjacent to deep water. If there is one hint to give anglers fishing topwater baits it would be to hesitate for a couple of seconds following the strike before setting the hook. Following this tip alone will greatly improve the percentage of bass landed on topwater lures. I agree, the natural instinct when you see the fish hit is to immediately jerk but this is not the best technique to use with topwater.
Other patterns include mid-diving crankbaits along the outside edge of grass (8-12 feet) as well as deep diving crankbaits off of deep points and near ditches and creeks. Carolina rigs are also being used over deep brush and deep ridges.
CRAPPIE: Anglers are catching crappie under the 147 Bridge late afternoon and early morning on jigs and live shiners. Others have baited crappie brush holes in 20 to 30 feet that are producing quality white perch.