Spring Fishing!!

Spring fishing has been pretty good this year so far. The water temp three weeks ago was 48 degrees. We had a strong warming spell for two weeks and since then the temp has held around 55. We need 58-62 for largemouth to spawn, but the 55 degree water gets some of them a little spunky in the shallower water. Ive been out three times so far for pike/bass all saturdays. The first week we were searching for crappie and pike, I accidentally caught the biggest largemouth I've every landed - 21 1/2 inches! It could have been 22" - my tape only went up to 20" Either way im guessing it was around 7 pounds - not bad for 6 pound test mono and a 1/32 ounce black crappie jig. Props to adam for netting it quick!

The next week are the pictures you see below. The water had risen from 48 to 55 and, though there was no sign of shallow water bass yet, there was a jetty that had a 16 foot drop off in a wind break that was causing bass to school. We ended up pulling 10 or so out from there all over 2 pounds, most closer to 3lbs, and the one I caught first on a crankbait over 4lbs. The pike were much more active that weekend as well.

Yes - nathan actually jumped off the boat onto the jetty at one point and dropped a jig head and finess worm into the "hole" and caught a nice bass. Yes, he is a clown too.


This past Saturday I went out again for bass/pike. Same story - water was 56 degrees and little had changed from fish positioning. One new factor was first day of pike and walleye was in. Fortunately, the weather was poor enough that it kept alot of people away (except us of course).

After 5 casts or so, i caught a 21+" smallmouth that probably went 6-7lbs. The biggest smallmouth ive ever caught or seen for that matter. Ive have tons of pictures that Craig will be sending shortly and ill post again when they arrive.

Good luck - more pictures quite soon. Im thinking the full spawn ought to take place around memorial day this year!