Water temps at Evans are sitting in the low 80s, and that heat has put most daytime anglers in a funk. But during the early morning, evening, or straight-up night... it's a completely different lake. Anglers willing to venture out in off hours are getting rewarded with some absolute giants.

Bass are eating reaction baits almost exclusively right now. Loud rattletraps, crankbaits, and white spinnerbaits are all producing in the stained water, but again... mostly when the sun's low. Average fish is still around a pound, but last week two bigger ones were caught... a 3.5 and a 5+ pounder, both off the dock. The bigger bass are in there.

The real story, though, is after dark. Giant flathead and channel catfish are being caught on garlic-soaked nightcrawlers getting crushed, along with the standards... mackerel and chicken liver. Last week produced two absolute tanks... a flathead and a channel cat, both north of 20 pounds.

No trout plants have been reported at Lake Evans this year, so the winter bite never really materialized. Now with water temps pushing into the 60s due to the recent warm weather, bass are shifting into prespawn mode and moving shallow. Largemouth in the 1 to 3 pound range are being caught on creature soft plastics, dropshots, and bluegill-pattern hard baits... with most action coming close to shore. Crappie are starting to bite as well (mini jigs, night crawlers), with some nice, larger male bluegill mixed in as well.