Mantua bass??

[fisherdave]

Just wondering if anyone familiar with Mantua reservoir would know if bass are likely to start becoming fishable in the next few weeks? I know it’s probably a little early in the year but I thought I’d throw it out there. Thanks!
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[fordkustom]

need at least a week or two above 70
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[fishnate]

I haven't fished Mantua for a while, but usually bass are quite catchable soon after ice out. All I usually look for is a decent warming trend so the water will be warming. If that water is 48+ with stable warming sunny weather you can bet those bass are chewing and they could be up shallow on sun exposed banks.

It doesn't always have to be perfect beautiful warming weather either. I'm out here in the Uintah Basin and my friend and I were whacking bass steadily last weekend during a strong cold front with 15 mph wind, wind chill down to 30 degrees and snow squalls all around us. We got 36 bass between us, including a 5 pounder in 2.5 hours. These bass were in 2 feet of water and hitting slow rolled spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and Texas rigged creature baits which out produced a dropshot.

If ice has been off Mantua for more than a week or two, I'd bet the bass are biting!
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[richyd4u]

Largemouth will start searching the shallows at around 55 degrees water temp, and continue with their spawning preparations until about 65 degrees. I know down here they have been in this process for a few weeks now, but recent cold fronts have slowed it down. We should hit the low 60s in water temps this weekend with the mid 80's air temps forecasted, so we should find plenty up in the shallows. You should be able to find pre-spawn bass hanging around areas of easy depth change where they can go up and down easily as the water warms and cools. I would go for it if I was you and see...the worst thing that can happen is a beautiful day out on the water! Good luck!
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[RockyRaab]

I'd take advantage of sun-warmed rocks by fishing the rocky dikes on the west side in the morning, then the stretch along the mound on the east side in the afternoon.
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[Springbuck]

In the spring, I do like FishNate says. Wait for a 3 or 4 day warming trend between spring storms (nice sunny, warm days with little wind) and hit the areas most likely to have the warmest water on the afternoon or midday of the last day.

That's usually the shallows of flooded trees surropunding the lake, the flats with mats near the SE corner parking, etc. It can be hard to work out a technique up in the crowded trees, and you may lose a little tackle. Senkos, dropshots with gulp minnows, weedless swimbaits, stuff like that can work, stuff that doesn't rely on a long retrieve for action. A canoe, kayak, or waders can help, too.
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