How would you fish? Lake ponemah 4/25. Water temp 49 degrees

[Bradicus412]

Hey everyone I'm still pretty inexperienced with fishing so could use your help. I went out on lake ponemah this morning and always have trouble at the beginning of the season figuring out how to fish a lake. Water temp was 49. Air temp 45. Cloudy light wind. Previous week had been a little cold.
I threw mainly a tube in about 5 to 10 feet of water. Caught one 14 inch lmb in about 5 feet next to some timber.

How would you guys fish this. What depth would you focus on what would you throw? If I was crazy for fishing what I fished let me know I won't be offended.

Hope to here from you

[Skulley]

I don't think I would go to Ponemah when there are so many other lakes in the vicinity that would probably be better that time of year.  Of course I'm not a fan of Lake Ponemah because I've never done good there in tournaments or practice.  I just as soon avoid it.  But that's me.  You may have something going there.  I can never get anything going there.  I'd rather go to Lobdell or Tipsico instead.  But that's just me.  Good Luck.  Oh yeah...........Welcome to the board.  We're very glad you're here.  Part of this whole thing on this site is sharing of information so if you go out there, please post a report.  I'd surely like to know how you did.  Again, welcome.   


BD                             

[djkimmel]

One advice for any forum or fishing reports website is to search fishing reports or the forum or whole website first for existing information about the lake or river before you go. A search of existing information can save you lots of time now and in the future too because there is often information already existing that answers your questions.

Prespawn slow roll

[Skulley]

Thanks DK.  I forgot about that......


Bad.                   

[Bradicus412]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I always do better when the weather is warmer. I have no problem throwing soft plastics up by docks in the summer and catching decent fish. I've never had success in April or early May. My mindset is always "they could be anywhere" in the summer-shallow or deep. Just not good (yet) at finding them this early in the season.

[Bradicus412]

Just read your prespawn slow roll post. That helps a lot. Thanks again for the help and info

[YpsiBass]

Have to second the fish somewhere other than ponemah opinion. Lobdell and Fenton come to mind.

[32eml24]

If the water is clean there... jerkbait with long pauses on the most vertical breaks. Or look for the warmest water in the lake as your fish in these areas get active sooner.

[bob o]

a blade bait put it on the bottom and lift just enough to feel the bait wobble then drop it back to the bottom, repeat

[thedude]

i second bob o. If the water is below 50, i live and die by the blade. Exceptions in the spring is sunny afternoons, look for shallow, dark bottom areas for LM or any kind of shallow flat for SM and chatterbait, squarebill, jerkbait, lipless. Shakey head or darter if you see them but they aren't eating.  Squarebills near rip-rap is a good spring tactic also.

[MichiganBass80]

I don't mind ponemah.  It's one lake we try it get to a few times each year.  I do prefer it during the warmer months though.  I catch most of my fish there with a KVD 1.5 squarebill.  It's uasually the same routine for us, hit around the islands for a while, work around the little sunken island on the west part of the lake, then finish up back in squaw.

[BIGSHOW]

I've never fished blade baits. From what i understand you fish it off the bottom and almost jig it near the bottom is that correct? But one question I would have is in a strong current is there enough weight on it to keep it vertical? Or how is this done?

[djkimmel]

It doesn't have to be vertical. They can be deadly casting them out and retrieving them in. You can get some in different weights too though they are metal and lead in general so they sink fast and stay down.

There's a nice tutorial on blade bait fishing in our video at the 3:30 mark:

[BIGSHOW]

Great video!

[djkimmel]

Thanks. We do try.

[aewmlw]

I have been very successful this season using spinners. A pike here and there (they are fun!) but primarily bass. Last year, the spinners were very limited, this year they are hot.

Does anyone know of any tournaments on Lake Ponemah this year?  Would appreciate someone pointing me in the right direction

[YpsiBass]

There's always the Hawg Hunt in the late fall. Fenton and Ponemah.  Rest of the year I don't know.

[Anthony Adams]

I love Ponemah it's a Great Lake. I fish Fenton, Ponemah, Lobdell and Nepessing a lot. I've hosted tournaments on these lakes for many years and Ponemah has routinely been on of the stronger lakes both for numbers of limits but big fish.

That is why we hold the Hawg Hunt there every year. Thanks for the shout out Ypsibass.

It's a strong lake with a ton of monsters if you ask me.

To the original poster. My favorite baits in early spring on Ponemah are a square bill crankbait, spinnerbait and a tube.