TRUTHS AND TAILS, APRIL FOOLS

    Its coming soon, that some times perplexing shift from winter patterns to the early spring stampede.  Many say that water temp. is the key to major movements, others say it's the weather.  My experience leads me to suspect there are other, stronger factors.  Why, let me explain.  I have watched wintering smallmouth areas on Banks lake for more than 15 years, so I will use this as my reference, other waters may act differently, but I'll stick to what I know.  There seems to be a 6 to 7 day window starting around the 28th of March to about the 3rd of April when deep wintering schools of smallmouth seem to vanish without a trace from those areas.  It really hasnt mattered if the lake had iced up or not, nor did it matter what type of weather or temp. fluctuations we had experienced, they were gone!  So what was the trigger?  I started to research that question, and found that many of those in the know, (scientists and the like), believed that length of day light, (solar period), was the single largest factor in major fish and wildlife pattern changes. Studying that therory, the solar period triggers everything from insect hatches to when the whitetail rut starts in ernest.  So enough science, what does that mean to the average fisherman?  Once the smallies have left thier wintering areas, the mission is to build up thier energy reserves depleted thru the winter.  Now weather, temp, and food supplies become the driving factor as to where these fish may be.  Clear water, cold nights, fluctuating barometer, all tend to make these recent residents of the stable depths a bit nervous about being shallow, but warm sunlight awakens the food chains in those areas first, so whats a fish to do?   It's easier than you think!  Those areas close to deeper water, that offer good feeding opportunities like main lake points, secondary points, cut off coves with deep water inlets, or sun exposed, wind protected deeper backwaters are a magnet in these earliest days of spring.  Keep in mind, deep is a relative term, 20 ft. may be plenty to make these fish comfortable, but some may want more, or less.  Those of you that know me know I dont talk largemouth patterns to anybody, but let me say here, these patterns apply to them as well.  So, what tools to use now?  Start with good electronics, not that they will help you see the shallow fish much, but when crankin, jerkin, or tubing the shallows, they may show you the suspended fish under your boat!  Dont rule out drop shot minnows or leeches either.  Although this may be the here today, gone tomorrow time of year, those with an open mind and some flexability will no doubt have some great days.  If you should find yourself a bit short on suspending jerks or cranks, or even the new stealth traps this year, check us out, if we dont have it, well, you may not need it to kick butt here.  Just some truths and tails from Lou at Playland, tight lines!