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| I know that it is only December, but I am finding myself checking my lake maps for next springs opener to pick out the potential hot spots. What parts of lakes, structure, etc... do you focus on for the spring and early summer season? What baits tend to produce for you? Thanks for the great season this year, I look forward to the year to come![:)] | |
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| Tony, nothing real magical to where I look in spring or early summer.
I spend my time in shallow dark bottom areas with new weed growth. Inside turns or pockets in the weeds can be the "spot on the spot" in a weedbed. Areas where one weedtype meets another is also a good thing to find. I think that areas on the north or east side seem to be good however I'll fish the structure anywhere on the lake if the wind is blowing in on it. Its been my experience that mid lake structures with new weeds will hold fish but I get more follows than anything out there. The hitters are shallow and shore related early on in the season.
With that said, here comes the contradiciton: The other thing I enjoy is fishing suspenders (and they are out there). Find a baitfish connection out in the "haystack" and you should find Muskies. You don't necessarily need the baitfish (though it never hurts)...try suspenders in open water areas between known Muskie structure and you will contact fish as they use their travel lanes moving from spot to spot.
As far as baits go, I like small bucktails like Tinseltails, Bootails or Blackburns. Bass sized baits can be productive too - spinnerbaits, tube baits or other plastics. In topwaters, topraiders or topper stoppers work for me and you can start with 'em right away if the water is at least upper 50's but lower 60's for sure. Small jerks like 6" phantoms, reef hawgs or suicks work too. Also, small minnowbaits like 6" Slammers, Jakes and Cranes. Out in the deep water for suspenders, I like bigger baits like 10" Jakes.
Hope this helps,
Jono
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| Jono said it with the first paragraph, the other shallow idea that works for me is the mud/peat flats of the marsh bays. The dark bottom heats quicker and fish seem to be more active in these areas. Look for muskies just inside the new weed growth along areas like this. As for baits I like the Undertaker,Mini Power Probe, Slammers and Husky Jerks for lures but Suckers will out produce all of these lures two to one the first two weeks of the season. I use smaller suckers with quick strike rigs and a slip bobber. Colors will change from lake to lake, with perch patterns working the best. As early summer rolls in I still run the Undertaker and a 7 inch Slammer as my go to baits, The Slammer would be either a firetiger or a golden shiner pattern and the Undertaker is usually a perch pattern with red belly for low light conditions and a cream belly for mid day. High skys I will run a crank bait along the weed edges bumping them from time to time provoking a strike when other methods only produce follows. Bucktails also work very well early summer. I try to run them over the best weed beds and other potential hot spots when looking for fish, this is a great locator bait because you can cover lots of water. Mepps, Boo tails, Sankey tails and others with blade sizes depending on the depth you want to run. Key points-- New weed growth, spawning areas, rivers that dump into the lake and water tempature all are big factors in spring. Wind dirrection is also something you should keep an eye on, if the wind blows the same direction for a few days this could set up some hot spots also. I hope this might help you some. Mike.[;)] | |
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| I like to look for spawning areas and work the adjacent cover and flats. The fish will be moving off of the spawning spots,(some will still be there, late spawners), and using the nearby breaks and structure as highways, this is a key location at this time of year.
I also look for warmer water close to spawning areas, a sand bottom or rocks and gravel tend to warm faster than the rest of the structure.
As far as baits go, like Mike said, I love suckers at this time. I will use smaller lures, but I don't really downsize like most guys do. I don't know, I just like the idea of big bait = "BIG FISH"!!!!![:p] My idea of downsize is using a 7"-8" lure. I like to twitch 7" Slammers up on the flats and work it down the break, "DEADLY PRESENTATION" [:devil:]
Good luck this Spring, keep studying those maps!!!!! | |
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| Thanks a lot for your info, I am still studying my maps hoping to find that secret diamond in the rough! I wish all of you a happy holiday season. If you are anything like me, christmas just might be bringing in some new fishing gear! Thanks again!
Tony Steffes | |
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Spring Fever!