Page 28 - 2019 MAR/APR Outdoor Oklahoma

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to help with success for your upcoming fishing season!

Panfish
Target big bluegill during the prespawn phase.
Bluegill and other panfish congregate in massive
numbers during the spawn. Depending on
location, spawning beds numbering in the
hundreds can be found in condensed
areas. The biggest fish will usually situate
near outer rims around structure in
these bedding areas and can be caught in
bulk. Generally, peak spawning in Oklahoma
occurs during May but warmer water temperatures
can move it up a couple weeks. Work the deeper edges of Bluegill
these spawning beds with any one of your favorite panfish
baits. The last two weeks of April are a great time to start targeting the biggest fish. Once the spawn
begins, you are more likely to catch smaller males defending beds, so the two weeks prior to peak spawn
are your best chance to catch trophy fish over 10 inches.

White Crappie Crappie
Add a crappie nibble to your hook. The most ex-
perienced crappie anglers know how finicky these
fish can be even at the best times of year. One day
it will be one color, and the next day it will be an-
other. Sometimes the bite just turns off. Try adding
a chartreuse crappie nibble to the tip of your hook.
They’re scented and glow, and sometimes just that
Black Crappie little extra added to your bait can increase your
success.

White Bass
Try a crankbait. A Model A Bomber with blue back, an orange
stripe and silver or white underbelly can be just the ticket for schooling White Bass
and running white bass. The medium divers that run seven to nine feet
deep make perfect weapons at the mouth of creeks and streams. It’s also effective when trolled, which can cre-
ate fast action when the white bass are running. Trolling allows the angler to cover a lot of water in a short time.

26 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA

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