Bass fishing lights during the spawn or post spawn (right now)

[Burton]

Y'all got any tips for catching stubborn fish on the lights? It's hard to beat fishing the lights on Lake Hartwell during the prespawn. I like to throw a 3/16 strike king jig head with a 3.25 rage swimmer. It's deadly in FEB/MAR. A jigging spoon can also be pretty deadly.

But, when it gets warm.....they don't bite it. I go from catching 30 fish to about 3 or 4 fish....switch out the rage swimmer to a large worm.

But I'm talking right now. I see fish swimming just under the surface, circling the light.....I was fishing last week. I caught one on my swim bait, but most of the fish ignore it completely. My dad last week hooked a couple on a crappie jig. They are just super finicky....any tricks in making them bite?

I've tried a fluke, crankbait, worm, jig....they are just super stubborn.

 

[Jdmb123]

The cruisers I saw this weekend were stubborn as well. But for the dock light seems like the only thing left for you to try is a top water you can work in place or a wacky worm. Make sure you aren’t too close to them.

 

[Burton]

The cruisers I saw this weekend were stubborn as well. But for the dock light seems like the only thing left for you to try is a top water you can work in place or a wacky worm. Make sure you aren’t too close to them.

Yeah, I'm thinking something small. The crappie jig my dad had, it had a lot of tail movement and he hooked 2 together pretty quick. I forgot, I tried the wacky worm also with and without a nail weight.

I have some small poppers, since some of the fish are right under the surface, may try it next time.

 

[Burton]

The cruisers I saw this weekend were stubborn as well. But for the dock light seems like the only thing left for you to try is a top water you can work in place or a wacky worm. Make sure you aren’t too close to them.

One thing on being too close. Yeah, I think it's an advantage to get a long cast when you start fishing it.

BUT....one I caught last week was 10 ft from the boat. I've caught some that I could almost touch with the rod tip (5 and 6 lbs)....If you can swim it right in front of their face, sometimes...they can't help themselves.

 

[brunofishing]

Try a shad rap.

 

[hopper]

I like a long cast with a Senko. Sometimes they just won't hit nothing.

 

[HermanMerman]

A dark colored wacky rigged senko. If it’s deep enough, I’ll neko rig it instead and if there’s brush around the dock, I’ll put it on a shaky head.

 

[Taco4x4]

Chunk a hollow body popping frog on the dock by the light and slowly drag it till it falls by the light. Should be immediate but if not give it a couple little pops. Just don't try this when your fishing against me. lol

 

[Burton]

Chunk a hollow body popping frog on the dock by the light and slowly drag it till it falls by the light. Should be immediate but if not give it a couple little pops. Just don't try this when your fishing against me. lol

Next time, would love to see one eat a frog by the light.

I went last night and couldn't get a bite on the lights. I threw swimbaits, crappie jig, spybait, frittside, texas rig, wacky/senko

 

[Josh B]

Free line a shiner.