Heavy rains this month made fishing the area lakes tough to say the least.

We caught fish this week but you had to work for every bite. The good news is the spawn will cast off in mid-February and the higher the water level the better the spawn.

Right now the bass and white perch are loaded with eggs. I am seeing more male bass shallow than females, and that is a sure sign the males are getting the urge to spawn.

Currently water temperatures average about 50 degrees. Last week the water temp rose from 45 to about 56 but the cold front that came through this weekend hammered the water temps back down.

The first warm weather we have in February that brings the water temp up to about 58 will really turn the fish on.

The first wave of fish move up by Feb. 15 and those first fish to move shallow will be among the largest in the lakes.

A surface water temperature gauge will lead you to the warmest areas of the lake. Try the wind protected banks like flats and coves along the northwest shore.

The surface water temperature can vary as much as 6 to 8 degrees from one area to the next. Finding the warmest water in the lake in February will increase your chances of having a successful day on the water.

This coming weekend the 24th Annual J.R. Roberts Memorial will cast off at Lake Bruin Feb. 6. This year the weigh-in site will be at the Country Club Landing. Lake Bruin’s water level is very high and the water clarity ranges from muddy to stain.

Despite the ‘not so good conditions,’ I did hear some good reports on the bass and some not so good reports. No matter how tough the fishing is next weekend someone will win.

Based on 100 teams/200 people the first place team will take home $4,000. That would be a good way to start the bass tournament season.

Second place is $2,000, third $1,000 and we will pay down to 10th place. The single largest bass weighed in is worth $1,000, second place big bass is $500 and third $300.

Judging from the number of phone calls and people that have already entered this non-profit event we are going to have good turnout. You can enter the Memorial today through Friday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Eddie’s Marine.

The lake is off limits to all contestants from Monday until tournament morning. Entry forms are also available at the Sports Center in Natchez or online at www.fishingwitheddie.com.

As far as the most productive lures jigs with a plastic trailer, the creature style lures and Rat-L-Traps have produced the winning five bass limit in years past. Good luck to all next weekend.