04-19-2004, 09:52 PM
[size 2]Bass fishing has been improving with more fish being caught as the water levels start to rise along with the surface temperatures. Large smallmouth, along with heavy stripers, are being caught on shad that are cast toward river bluffs. Small crankbaits and spinnerbaits are being used in shallow water to catch some good largemouth. Flipping has been good in the Emory and lower sections of the Clinch River. A 1/4-ounce or 3/8-ounce pumpkinseed flipping jig, tipped with a brown Uncle Josh pork strip, is a working combination with plenty of potential. Crappie fishing has improved . Minnows and jigs are both being used with equal results; eight feet of water or less seems to be the target zone. Water temperatures and black shallow males indicate spawning is near or in some cases has already happened. [/size]
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