Yelim thank you very much for the info!!! I haven't fished east of the bridge much, but I think I know exactly where you are talking about. I fished that area once when I seen a football field size school of fish bust the water. Thought it was specks, but after tying on a rapala I caught a small bass and then the school disappeared.
Yes I just about always use a split shot even with a jig especially with a slip bobber the jigs aren't heavy enough to pull the line through all the time.
Yelim since this is a good area, would it be a good area to check the weedbeds for spawners?
Going out sunday if anyone would like to show me first hand how its done.