This month is one of the best of the year for multi species action. There are still a few bass and crappie in late spawning. White bass and stripers will start congregating in the tailraces, and the catfish and bluegill will be at their prime.

            My two favorite picks this month are catfish and bluegill. For eating size catfish there is not a better time of the year to load the cooler. Use chicken livers, cut bait, shrimp, or worms to catch plenty of 1-3 pound fish. In the upper ends of the lakes go to the tailrace and adjacent waters. In mid lake fish gravel bars and ledges of islands and channels. In the deeper lower lake regions, fish bluff walls 15-35 feet deep.

            For bedding bluegill and shellcracker try weed lines and log jams on pea gravel bottoms.

The full moon is mid – May so the second weekend should be hot. I start by dragging crickets and worms on drop shot rigs in 2-5 feet of water. If the action is slow work out as deep as 10 feet. Bigger fish will hold out deeper until time to actually spawn.