FIRST ON WATER ACTION OF THE SEASON

[almontefisher]

Well me and a buddy took his boat out this morning on Miss. Lake for some perchin action and had some good success....Now when I say that I mean quantity not quality...about 20 4-6" perch caught all morning( 2.5 hours) on a hook and worm and spinner and worm. We as well caught one OOS bass and one OOS pike on these small perch set-ups...Now a question for the more advanced bass guys...SHould these bass be in 12-16' of water at this time or should they be in bays and shallows spawning. We found it very odd to catch a bass in that water with this set-up. Also saw 2 boats fishing in areas I would deem OOS areas where you would think the bass and pike were...Can't see them catching too many perch and crappie in 5ft of water. So for my first adventure of the year I did not get skunked. Perch were pretty small though with none kept of course.

[OBD]

Good job! At least you didnt get skunked!

[Troller]

Way to go Almontefisher,
Keep up the good work! I enjoy your posts

Daver

[GetTheNet!!!]

Good to hear you got out! Too bad there wasn't more size, but glad you got into them.

[jmikail]

Now a question for the more advanced bass guys...SHould these bass be in 12-16' of water at this time or should they be in bays and shallows spawning. We found it very odd to catch a bass in that water with this set-up.

The bass are in pre-spawn and are in deeper water for now. If they are found in shallow areas, they are probably adjacent to deep water where they spend most of their time until they go shallow to spawn.

12-25' is the right depth for bass this time of year.

[almontefisher]

Thanks J for the info..I was unaware of that. I fish bass but not often enough to understand their ways. I will need to be more careful now about fishing this time of the year.

[HitmanHill]

Man I am glad you got out there almontefisher, what is the ole saying "size isn't everything" some of us just drool at having the chance to get out there and try. I get my new ride next weekend and I am looking forward to hitting the water!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for letting us know how you did.

[Seaweed]

Don't overlook the shallow Crappie bite in the spring. They are usually feeding heavily prior to their spawn and will swarm the shallows in feeding frenzys corraling the minnows. Fill the boat time. Within reason of course.

[almontefisher]

Seaweed: Is that why we did not have one bite for crappie...see I am so new at the crappie I just don't understand them well. When I usually catch them it is in 8-15ft of water so we kept the same approach. Then those guys I saw in the shallows of the bays etc were actually fishing crappie then. I thought they were in too close for that. Again some new knowledge I will store in the ole noodle and spit out when required.

[CrappieKeith]

Don't overlook the shallow Crappie bite in the spring. They are usually feeding heavily prior to their spawn and will swarm the shallows in feeding frenzys corraling the minnows. Fill the boat time. Within reason of course.

you got that right.3 days after the ice went out which was fri we started to get these in 2-3 FOW.




They move out to deeper water at night and slide back in around noon.
We have also been running into these pesky fighters.


Those bucketmouths are 2.5 lbs on the average and really put a great load on that UL gear.

[Ben Daniels]

Uh oh, are those OOS bass?

[CNs]

Uh oh, are those OOS bass?

Nah he is in Minnesota

[Bear]

Glad you got to get out Almonte, did you guys put in at the town launch??

Just wondering if the docks are in

Bear

[almontefisher]

Bear: The docks are not in yet...we launched from my buddies place in ebbs bay.

[CrappieKeith]

The season is not open ,but as long as you are not spesificall going for them as per your bait would indicate you can errantly run into them & release them.
I'm using a small hair jig that I tie for pannies.
Now if I was throwing some spinnerbait ,then the DNR if he deemed so could ticket me.