May has arrived in the Shenandoah Valley with very little rain. The Shenandoah River, both North and South forks, are at lower levels then the year before at this point and time. Weather temps have been all over the place causing water temps to rise and fall as much as 10 degrees. Smallmouth have mostly spawned with some still spawning and largemouth are trying to get on beds now on the Shenandoah as well as lake Fredrick. I have seen crappies trying to spawn in the river with bluegill, pumpkinseed and shell crackers soon to follow the bedding process. There was a short flurry of smallmouth feeding in late March to early April, but it did not last long as the following year, I believe that was caused by the dramatic temperature changes. Now as the temperatures start to settle with some normalcies, we should start seeing some good post spawn bites coming up. Now the top water action will start with fry guarders in abundance as well as lots of mayfly hatches and post spawn fish wanting to eat. Top baits this time of year with the amount of pollen in the water that gives the water just enough tint that you can throw chatterbaits like the baby jack in baitfish colors such blue gill or baitfish color in silvers, whites or translucent skirts. Swimbaits with same color patterns as well as swim jigs. Bass will eat bluegills especially when the bluegills are on beds which makes them easy prey and big meals that’s why the bluegill patterns are so good this time of year. Crankbaits will work but there is still lots of green moss on the bottom clogging up the treble hooks so moving baits that are more weedless work better doesn’t mean they wont work just more time spent cleaning hooks then casting. The river grass is growing fast with milfoil in slower stretches behind dams. Fish the edges of the grass with moving baits. Top water baits like pop Rs and walking baits like spooks or Gunfish are great baits as well as a 65 or 75 wopper plopper in colors of bone, black or transparent work best. Remember the wind is your friend unless it’s 20 mph and higher which can make a rough day of fishing. Fish the windy banks first with moving baits if you have no wind, you may be forced to slow down especially if you have full sun that’s when you need to look for shady spots or fish deeper in the grass or laydowns. If you must slow down, then switch to ned rigs, jigs, or tubes,  also don’t forget this time of year flukes are killers when fished weedless in the grass as well as stick baits fished weedless or used as wacky in open water. Hope this helps you on your next outing. Make sure to stop by Jakes bait and tackle to stock up before you go and get up to date information on what’s working and where. Good luck tight lines

            Lonnie Conner