on the ms river lakes, i like a slow, steady rise or fall. seems the fall pushes them out deeper, slow rise they move into newly flooded areas and cover. I always look shallow as the water comes up. they seem to explore newly flooded areas and structure. I havent fished the big 4 enough to say how it affects these lakes, but this time of year, look shallow then you can move out to suspect spots if nothing is going on shallow