Are the Bass Spawning Yet??? Spring Fishing for Largemouth Bass
I’m out in April, fishing from the bank in Middle Tennessee, wondering if the Largemouth Bass are spawning yet. Armed with a Texas Rig, I’m casting after a stretch of rain and chilly nights, hoping to find some active fish. I start near a dock, then work down the shore toward some downed trees. Managed to hook one nice Largemouth Bass under the trees, but that was it for Bass. Before heading out, I downsized my lure and pulled in a couple of Bluegill. The spawn’s not on yet—still pre-spawn—but it’s getting close.
The Texas Rig did its job for that one Largemouth Bass, especially around those trees where fish like to hang out. Rain and cold have kept things slow, and the Bass aren’t moving much yet. Switching to a smaller lure for Bluegill was a last-ditch move that paid off with a little action. Spring’s tricky, but the spawn’s coming soon—should heat things up. How’s your spring Bass fishing going so far?
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Ultralight Fishing With Shakespeare Micro Series (Budget Ultralight)
Today I’m hitting the bank with a Shakespeare Micro Series spinning rod for some ultralight fishing—a budget setup paired with my Shimano FX reel. Started with a Swimbait, but only nabbed a seven-inch Bluegill. Switched to a Gulp Alive Minnow on a jig head under a simple float rig, and that’s when things picked up—caught more Bluegill and a few Yellow Bass. At $20, the Shakespeare Micro’s holding strong, handling plenty of fish with no issues.
This ultralight combo’s perfect for bank anglers on a budget. The Swimbait got me that first Bluegill, but the Gulp Alive Minnow on the float rig really brought the bites—Bluegill and Yellow Bass kept it steady. Spring’s a great time for light gear, and this rod’s proving you don’t need to spend big to catch fish. Anyone else using a Shakespeare Micro or similar budget rod? How’s it treating you?
Budget Ultralight Results:
- Swimbait: Caught a seven-inch Bluegill.
- Gulp Alive Minnow: More Bluegill and Yellow Bass.
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Fishing in APRIL is Worse Than March! Middle Tennessee Bank Fishing
Believe it or not, April’s fishing in Middle Tennessee has been tougher than March! Bank fishing’s been a rollercoaster this spring—last month, I was pulling in Largemouth Bass, Yellow Bass, and big Bluegill, but now I’m scraping by with three Bluegill in a whole day. Rain and cold nights are making things rough. Spotted a Skipjack on this trip, switched things up, and managed to catch it for a bonus fish. Here’s hoping the second half of April turns the bite around.
The bank’s been quiet lately—way slower than March’s hot streak. Cold snaps and all that rain have fish acting shy, but spotting that Skipjack gave me a chance to adapt and keep the day from being a total bust. Middle Tennessee’s spring fishing’s unpredictable, but you’ve got to roll with it. What’s the fishing like where you are this April—better or worse than last month?
Tough Day Takeaways:
- Standard Lures: Three Bluegill, slow going.
- Skipjack Catch: Quick switch paid off with a bonus fish.
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Tips for Spring Bank Fishing in Middle Tennessee
- Use a Texas Rig for Bass: Creature baits on a Texas Rig work well around cover like downed trees—great for pre-spawn Largemouth Bass.
- Go Ultralight for Fun: Budget rods like the Shakespeare Micro Series with Gulp Alive Minnows catch Bluegill and Yellow Bass—perfect for steady action.
- Adapt to Slow Bites: If fishing’s tough, downsize lures or switch targets (like Skipjack) to salvage the day.
- Fish Smart Spots: Docks and tree lines hold fish in spring—focus there when the bite’s off.
- Respect Other Anglers: Don’t crowd docks if boats need access, and boaters, give bank anglers breathing room—your boat can reach spots they can’t, so move down a bit to keep the peace.
