Grass has begun showing up in the coastal ponds. The grass holds lots of food items for hungry reds. Weightless baitfish patterns that ride hook up, like Prince of Tides and the Bendback Mullet can be tossed into grass pockets, while crab patterns such as charlies and yarn crabs can be fished on the edges.
Bass should be on spawning beds. Flies like Magnum Woolybuggers, Bass Bullies, Sqwirm Flies and Leeches appear as threats and will be dealt with harshly. Cast the fly just past the fish, then twitch it slowly across the bed. You must be ready to set the hook the instant you feel or see the strike. For that reason, it’s imperative you keep your rod tip at the water, not a few feet above.
The first solid bream action takes place later this month in the southern parishes, with redears the most active. Let your Cap Spider, Fluff Butt, Cajun Tickler, or weighted Woolybugger get to the bottom, and then strip it in very slowly. Chinquapin often hit in the first several strips.
Trout enthusiasts in the northern part of the state will be making the short trip to the Little Missouri River in Southwest Arkansas and the Mountain Fork in extreme southeast Oklahoma, for excellent dry fly action. March Brown mayflies, various caddis, midges and even a few stoneflies are on the menu for rainbow and brown trout. Parachute Adams, A&W Emergers, and Smidges are recommended, as well as Hares Ears, Woolybuggers and egg patterns for when the hatches are off.
