Irwin bridge and then Newman's bottom on Sunday morning
Crappies were good at the bridge, 12 keepers in 2 hours. Newman's bottom is OK, not as many fish as I expected. I got 11 whites in 3 hours. But jogging along the creek is still a very pleasant thing. There was hybrid bass in the water, probably. A big fish bite the jig, but the line broke before I could see the fish.

Ok gentlemen, I'm looking for a little advice. I finally have a free weekend without any obligations and was planning on heading to Somerville on Friday afternoon and not leaving until Sunday afternoon, and leaving the damn phone behind. Planned on heading out to welch park and camping out on the island, and taking the kayak. The threat of inclement weather has made me rethink my commitment, but I intend on going out at least as weather allows. I finally will get the opportunity to get a couple of morning fishes in, at the very least. My question is, is there somewhere else I need to focus on, instead of said location, for either white bass or crappie??? I haven't seen much info posted on the main lake and that is what I intend on doing, as I'd like to post up somewhere. I'm done walking the creeks. Thank you

I've learned alot from failures the last couple of weeks. The evening bite has been poor. I saw limits of white bass being caught in one spot but I got there too late in the morning. Then the wind switched direction and the white bass left that area the next day.

This morning I went out before daylight. I fished on a wind blown bank with lots of shad and ghost minnows. I caught 20 white bass, 2 hybrids, a catfish, 2 buffalo, a redear sunfish and a bluegill between 7:00 and 8:30. So get out early, fish on a wind blown bank, find the shad / ghost minnows and you should be successful.

I went to Welch last weekend and found out that it had been reserved since last Wednesday by a biker rally and had to pay $50 to get in. Had to do Plan B to Birch. I wished someone would of posted that as it would of saved me about 20 minutes. Therefore, I would make sure that they haven't rented it out before you go. By the way, Plan B only netted 2 whitebass that night with the wind and colder temps. The shad were off the banks and I could see them flicking out in 3-4 ft water. I don't know what area J-Moe is fishing but like he said, I would go to the shore with the wind blowing in on the bank and with a kayak you can cover a lot of area until hopefully you can find them. Haven't heard anything about crappie bite at the tires at Big Creek but you could make that paddle to and back depending on the wind

Thank you J-Moe and Kirby. Told me what I needed to know. Hoped to be able to camp out but the weather may not cooperate. Winds seem to change direction throughout the weekend. so I may need to stay quasi-mobile. Figured the morning bite was where it was at. Once again, thank you for your information.

Finding the whitebass when weather conditions are as unpredictable and quickly changing as they can be in the spring is tough. About all you can do is find and follow the baitfish (shad) and hope they hold to a pattern you can take advantage of when you can fish... I've not fished much this spring but J-Moe has been finding consistent success in the morning hours but the afternoon-evening time is hit or miss mostly. I would suggest you kayak up a creek for black bass and crappie if the weather and wind make it too rough on the lake.

I went to welch park last night I was the only one there fishing I caught 2 whites and 2 nice size channels. Wind was moderate and the temp was cool I got about 4 nice bites but didn't hook anything. Fished from about 845pm until 12 1230am

I found a tackle bag at Irwin bridge, please send me a description about it so I can return it to you

Gentlemen, I thank you. Went out to welch on Friday (night). Didn't get in an evening fish in, but the morning bite was good. The white bass were within a good cast off the bank and I had success with ghost minnows, rattletrap, and the ol' line twister (roostertail). The bite died down on the bank ~ 8am. The bite wasn't on fire but it was steady, and they were big. Went out in the kayak and didn't have much luck until during a brief shower I saw some birds working a spot about 150 yards off the bank. Paddled out there and was catching them but they were all small ones. The lightning ran me off the lake and it proceeded to rain for hours. I finally had enough and left last night. Your advice held true, find the baitfish, find the fish.

Glad you found them slopez. Thanks for the reports slopez and big z.

I got a late start this morning. I got out to Welsh park around 8:30. The wind was howling and it was quite the challenge casting the fly rod into that wind. I wrapped myself up in the fly line a couple times and hit myself in the back of the head 5 times. That's called chuck and duck fly fishing. I put on the waders and was able to get far enough out to catch a few. I ended up with 9 white bass and another small mouth buffalo. I've been catching buffalo every time I go out lately.

I forgot a folding stool under the Irwin bridge on Saturday afternoon and didn't find it there when I returned later on the same night. It was a camouflage color.

I have a very strong feeling your folding stool is history. But you never know, maybe, just maybe an honest person picked it up.

Thanks! I would also be happy if the person who picked it up but doesn't see my post here could find good personal use of it.

I was there on Saturday morning, good luck for you to get your stool back . Actually I have been able to return the bag to its owner

Did you catch anything Saturday morning