Karick Lake

During the spring, properly identifying local spawning behavior and how fish react to the water temperature increases will influence success of fishing trips. April through June brings increasing water temperatures to Karick Lake. Bass will move from shallower habitat used during spawning activities into waters five feet and deeper as temperatures continue to rise. As water temperatures move into the upper 70’s and higher, anglers fishing during dawn and dusk can often catch fish moving into shallow water to feed. Plastic worms and lizards rigged Carolina- or Texas-style, along with Rat-L-Traps and crankbaits can all be effective. If bass are actively feeding along the surface, these fish should be targeted with noisy topwater baits (e.g., buzzbaits & jerkbaits) during low light conditions or with soft-plastic baits when the Florida sun is burning bright.

As the water temperature ranges from 68 to 80 degrees, the bream should begin to gather on beds throughout the lake, beginning around late-March through September. Redear sunfish (shellcracker) tend to nest in “communities,” meaning there will often be numerous nests built in the same area. Bluegill will often use the same nesting areas previously used by shellcracker and tend to nest in “communities.” Light tackle with earthworms, crickets, beetle spins, rooster tails, or small jigs can produce nice Redear Sunfish and Bluegill.

As always, catfish are normally most active at dawn and in the evening. Catfish are hard-pressed to resist a juicy beef or chicken liver. If the bait continues to fall off of the hook, try wrapping it in surgical gauze or pantyhose and stretch the fabric to release the odor from the bait. If the weeds are a nuisance, then try rigging a small bobber in between the weight and the hook to keep the bait suspended above any vegetation.