LAKE PLEASANT - The top-water action is picking up in the early mornings around some of the bays. Reports are that the top-water bite sometimes picks up in the late mornings just after clouds scatter the sky. Anchovies have been catching anything from catfish to stripers.

The nighttime bite is good as well. Fish off the main points - make sure you fiund the bait and you'll find the fish. Bass are chasing shad on the surface - reports are that Jackass, cole and humbug bays have been sporadically holding bait.

Anglers had been saying that on July 21 during the morning had a good largemouth and striped bass bite in the northern coves. Dropshots and Texas-rigged plastics in dark colors worked for largemouths; stipers were hitting Shad Raps. Boils were numerous and lasted until 11 a.m. ... A pair of anglers chased a 6 p.m.-midnight nighttime bite along Pipeline Coves in 15 feet of water from front of a submerged Cottonwood tree. Eight 1-2 pound catfish and striped bass were caught. Catfish were hitting chicken livers fished 40 feet on the bottom; nightcrawlers were not enticing cats.

Previously, Mike McFarland of Hook Up Outfitters said the deep jerk bait bite has been hot. He recommends starting early in the morning with top-water lures and swim baits. If that's not working, go to deep jerk bait bites. Also, find surface boils and throw deep water baits below the boils for striper, white bass and largemouth bass.

The nighttime striper bite is picking up. Try a cut anchovy at the mouth of coves in 40-60 feet of water. Also try fishing under lights at night with anchovies or live shad in the same areas.

Ideal times are early morning and late for top water.

If you want largemouth bass, you'll need a small drop shot. The smaller the better. Try a tiny shakyhead, or slick shake (whacky style). Worms or curly tail Roboworms of less than 3 inches have been best. Anglers continue to catch large flathead catfish in large numbers.