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Lake Sinclair Fishing Report April 2017

GON Staff | March 29, 2017

Sinclair: Level: 1.5 feet below full pool. Temp: Low 60s. Clarity: Light stain.

Bass: Tournament angler Mark Denney Jr. reports, “The spawn is on, and spring is here to stay as we roll into April on Lake Sinclair. Topwater presentations, such as a Pop-R or buzzbait, are good ways to get a few bites first thing in the morning with the warming water temperatures. A prop bait is also a good way to catch some fish that are guarding fry around the beds as this mimics a bream or bluegill. As the sun gets up, try fan casting a Texas-rigged lizard or a wacky-rigged Senko in pockets with good spawning flats in the back of them. Key on docks and blowdowns in these pockets. I also really like a weightless floating worm this time of year to trigger more finicky fish into biting that don’t want to commit to other presentations. A spinnerbait around grass and seawalls is a great choice as the bass move in and out of the pockets. This should only get better as the bass begin to target shad spawns during the warmer months. Try throwing a shallow-running crankbait, such as a Strike King KVD 1.5. This is another good shad presentation that allows you to cover water and catch some active fish. I really like this pattern around rocks, seawalls and main-lake cover. Now that the warm weather is here, remember to wear your life jacket, and be safe since the boat traffic will steadily increase well into the summer. Good luck, and God bless!”

Crappie: Allan Brown reports, “The crappie are in full spawn mode as we speak. Trolling shallow-water flats will produce fish, as will shooting docks. As the water continues to warm, the crappie move under docks to spawn. Docks with any wooden structure or rocks close by are excellent targets. Sinclair crappie can be caught in April next to seawalls, rocky banks and points that have structure. Pitching a cork with a 1/32-oz. jig about a foot under the cork can produce a limit very quickly. Go down the bank, and cast the cork-and-bug rig, and pop the rod tip slightly. Once the cork settles, look for the strike as the fish takes the bait. Black-blue-black and solid black jigs work great. Also, using the cork rig under docks is great as crappie suspend really shallow. Shoot it under the dock, and let it sit. Usually the wave action will draw a strike as the jig is sitting still. Blowdowns next to the bank are usually good places as crappie congregate here to spawn.”

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