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Daily fishing report

With temperatures in the low 80s and the days getting longer, bass are becoming active and feeding on schools of bait fish, especially shad.

This schooling activity is often obvious. The best signs are splashing fish or diving birds, both of which can be spotted from a distance. When faced with these situations I have several types of artificial lures I use: topwater baits, crankbaits and spoons.

If I see fish hitting the bait on the surface, I begin by throwing a topwater bait. Pay attention to the size of the bait the bass are eating and try to duplicate the color and size with your lure. Bass often focus on one size, and if you are throwing the wrong size or color you may not get a bite.

When the fish will not hit a topwater bait, I try a crankbait. This works best when fish are eating under the surface. Spoons are used when bass are schooling sporadically and the school is not bunched. The weight of the spoon allows you to make long casts.

While they may not be trophies, schooling bass can be a blast.

-- Lenny Crispino guides on Lake Tarpon. Call (727) 938-2379.

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