JACK WOLLITZ Area fish in lingering springtime patterns

The cool and cloudy weather over the Youngstown area has led to a lingering springtime pattern for most fish species in northeastern Ohio.
For most anglers, spring is one of their most productive seasons, and that's proving to be the case for those who chase walleyes and crappies.
The bass fishing, on the other hand, has undergone a few ups and downs, as the fish try to decide whether it's time to build nests or continue prespawn behavior.
For species like walleyes and crappies, the longer the summer heat is delayed, the better the fishing, and that's definitely the case this year.
Fair to good
Walleye fishing has been fair to good throughout May at Mosquito, Pymatuning and Berlin. The fish are ranging between the willow points and the off-shore bars and humps, where drifting and trolling fishermen are picking them off.
Crappies continue to be caught in good numbers at most of the area's reservoirs, with the best places still the willows and emerging weed beds.
Largemouth bass, meanwhile, are in a betwixt and between mode, mostly because the water temperature - especially in the shallows -- has fluctuated over the past two weeks.
Nests are evident at most of the area's lakes, but the bass for the most part have yet to really get serious about spawning. Of course, all of that can change once the water temperature stabilizes and the moon phase is right.
The cool spring has had a decidedly positive effect on Lake Erie's smallmouth bass.
Anglers are reporting excellent fishing for Erie smallies - from the western islands east to Presque Isle and beyond. Among the most productive tactics - as always - is dragging tubes. Anglers are finding fish where the bottom changes, either by depth or by composition.
Dr. Jeff Hahn of Alliance ventured out in Tuesday's rain to one of his favorite Lake Erie stretches near Conneaut and, with a friend, whacked 60 smallies, two of which topped six pounds. He reported they had 20 bass that exceeded five pounds on their digital scale. They released all of the fish.
Smallmouth fishing on the Ohio River was good and getting better until last week's rain pushed the water up. As the level drops and the water clears, the fishing will again be pretty good.
Bass Classic update
Word from the organizers of the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way Bass Classic is that additional support has been received for its tournament May 31 at Evans Lake.
Greenwood Chevrolet will provide a major prize for the amateur contestants - a weekend's use of a Hummer.
Also, each of the 66 anglers in the tournament will receive an assortment of Yum, Bomber, Rebel and Excaliber lures, all brands of PRADCO, and the amateurs will receive a tackle box donated by Gander Mountain.
The fourth annual Bass Classic pro-am tournament is presented by Consumers Ohio Water Co. and co-sponsored by Astro Shapes, BFI Carbon Limestone, Gem Young-Progressive Insurance, Harrington Hoppe & amp; Mitchell law firm and Invensys Metering Systems.
Extreme winners
Warren brothers George and Nick Prvonozac earned tenth place in last Sunday's X Series bass tournament at Portage Lakes in Akron.
They brought in a five-bass limit weighing 7.08 pounds and earned $350. The winning team of Greg Skelton and Paul Lahmers collected $5,000 for their 10.92-pound largemouth catch.
jwwollitz@aol.com