spring muskies

[Andrew Erickson]

This April i'll be going down to Clear Lake in Iowa with some buddies. We fished it last year in May and it was extremely tough. What are some things you look for when fishing early in the spring? Do you downsize your baits? Depths? Any advice would be great. Thanks

[Esox_Magnum]

Don't fish over 6' deep, about any baits will work. Our tounry there in early June last year put fish in the net on DCG, spinnerbaits, topwaters, gilders and jerkbaits, a few caught some trolling.

[Scoot]

I don't downsize much in cold water, but I do slow down. I'd suggest slowing whatever bait you use. My go-to is a glider, with a slow and methodical retrieve. The sumo rattle traps are commonly used down there early- I've never used one.

[bemidjibasser]

I look shallow and downsize to bass sized baits... Have had several days early in the season with 4 to 8 fish in the boat.

[guideman]

I agree with Scoot on this. I don't often scale down on the size that I throw however I do slow down and a lot in cold water. Fish that have just finished with the spawn are often times very sluggish and won't chase a fast moving bait. JMHO

"Ace"

[Jmeyers]

Never been to clear lake Iowa but I would recommend doing your research on the lake and weather and pack accordingly to that. If it were me I'd be using more topwaters or gliders and casting them around any visible structure you see (stumps, rock piles, bouys, ect..) Or maybe a spinner into shore along a weed line

[Esox_Magnum]

1 small island and shore/reeds/docks is all you got to cast to on that lake.Aprils always been tough for us there but we learned some stuff from fishing tourneys there last few years, this year will be different.

[bemidjibasser]

Anyone ever just cruise the shallows looking for fish and casting to them? It's a sight fisherman's dream and a blast when you get one to go... It's pretty easy to read a fish and tell whether they are active or not too. Biters are quick to respond, and non biters won't move unless you get right on top of them and spook them. If I were to fish there I would look for big sand flats with scattered grass/rocks and cruise until I saw a fish and cast to it... I have done this on differernt lakes on several occasions and had great success in early season.

[Esox_Magnum]

For the record Clear Lake is anything but clear,more along the lines of mud, clarity can get as good as a foot maybe at best. Not much for weeds either just reed beds.

[Andrew Erickson]

yeah it was extremely muddy when we were there last year

[bemidjibasser]

Well throw that idea out then! =) Give it a try in a lake with clear water sometime then...

[Esox_Magnum]

I do get to fish gin clear water every day, but any we see arent interested in eating anything.