The Covington News is looking to expand its coverage of the area's outdoor sports and its sportsmen. The News will dedicate this space to stories, calendar items and photos of fishing, hunting and other outdoor sports.

Spring looked like it arrived early before cold weather and high winds came into the area last weekend.

However, this weekend expected temperatures for Covington are a high of 88 and a low of 57.

Local anglers from all over the metro Atlanta area have looked forward to a weekend like the one promised by the local weatherman for a long time.

Along with the weather, post-spawning time is also here.

The post spawn is when the bass have gone through their annual reproduction or spawning ritual and after recouping for a few days they are ready to feed.

The fish go from the shallows of their spawning ground into deeper water where they are looking for food to replenish after the spawning process.

Largemouth and Spotted Bass will bite almost any type of artificial bait this time of year. Whatever your preference or your strengths, go for it.

Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, top water, or dragging a plastic worm should afford a fair to great day on the water.

If there was ever a time to exhibit your fishing prowess to your grandchild or spouse this is one of those weekends.

If you want to take that inexperienced angler out to not get bored and have the time of their lives, go early and stay late.

Local fishing report: Lakes Oconee, Jackson, Sinclair and West Point call for water temperatures between 65-74 degrees, most lakes are well below full pool (be careful and stay in the channel).

Try top water early before the sun comes up, switch to a subsurface lure mid-morning, and drag a Carolina rig, Texas rig or jig when the bite gets slow.

Richard Smith III is a professional angler with Rod Benders Bass Fishing Club. He can be reached at RSmith@covnews.com.