“During the first half of April, I'm 100% focusing on the spawn, which means some type of soft plastic,” Andy offers. “Conditions will dictate which tools I'll need to utilize. Flat, calm conditions mean I'm picking up a wacky-rigged Strike King Ocho, as the bass are likely to be holding tighter to cover. I'm looking pretty much anywhere 3-feet or less. If the wind is blowing or if the water is a little dirty, I'll opt for the Texas-rigged Game Hawg, as it provides a bigger presentation.”
Andy often turns the Strike King Skip N’ Buzz in April as well. “Anytime you get a dark, cloudy day in April, the buzzbait is a deadly weapon. When they first start biting during the spawn, that's when I typically catch the biggest ones on a buzzbait. If they are spawning, the only way I'm catching them is if it's dark and cloudy, which means I'm using one color – Black.”
Transitioning to late April, Andy will start looking for the shad spawn. “It's a visual deal. Birds on the bank picking them off is a good sign. Especially Blue Herons. Shad will always spawn around some sort of cover. Every lake is different, so just make sure you're around the best cover that your lake has to offer, which will in most cases include docks, slick logs, willow trees, shallow rocks, or grass.”
During this phase, Andy will typically opt for moving baits to attract aggressive fish feeding on the shad. “Early in the morning I'm throwing a white jig and swimming it off the bottom. As it gets later in the day, I'll switch to Green Pumpkin or White. No matter where you're fishing in Zone 3, if you're able to key in on spawning fish or shad, you'll be able to pattern them based on the conditions and cover that a particular lake presents.”
Andy wacky-rigs this soft plastic to fish around docs, hard cover and vegetation during the spawn.
If the water is clear Andy will opt for Green Pumpkin Ocho, while in stained water he prefers Red Bug or Junebug.
He fishes the wacky-rig on a Lew’s Signature Series 6’10” Spinning Rod, pairing it with a Lew’s HyperMag 200 series reel. Andy opts for 12 lb flurocarbon line.
Andy Texas-rigs the Game Hawg and fishes it with a 5/16 oz. weight around cover.
Andy ’s choice for clear water is Green Pumpkin, but if the water is stained or muddy he chooses Black Blue Flake.
Andy’s choice to throw the Game Hawg is a Team Lew’s Signature Series 7’2” Heavy Rod with a Pro SP reel which he spools with 17 lb fluorocarbon line.
This is one of Andy’s top choices for skipping around heavy cover in April, particularly when bass are chasing bait and responding to faster moving lures. He pairs the buzzbait with a Strike King Rage Swimmer for even more vibration and action.
Regardless of water clarity, Andy prefers the Black Skip N’ Buzz.
Andy throws the buzzbait on a Team Lew’s 7’3” Signature Series Rod, paired with a Pro SP reel. He beefs up the line to 20 lb fluorocarbon to deal with the heavier cover.
Andy favors the 1/2 oz. bladed jig for most applications this time of year. Unlike most anglers who thread the Thunder Cricket with a Strike King Bladed Minnow or Rage Menace, Andy pairs it with the Strike King Swim-N’ Shiner for a more subtle swimming action on the tail.
Whether the water is stained or clear, Andy prefers the White Thunder Cricket.
He will use the same rod as with his Skip N’ Buzz, but pairs it with a Lew’s HyperMag reel, spooled with 20 lb fluorocarbon line.
Andy typically threads his skipping jig with the 3.38” Rage Bug, as the flat sides allow for exceptional skipping.
He opts for White in clear water, as the bass are chasing shad around cover this time of the year. In stained water, he will often fish Green Pumpkin.
Andy uses the Team Lew’s 7’1” Signature Series Skipping Rod for this application, with a Pro SP reel. He spools the combo with 20 lb. fluorocarbon to negotiate heavy cover.
