MN bass anglers, which two weeks would you take?

[BTL]

I'm in the process of planning my annual trip to MN to fish and visit family (and fish some more), but I'm having trouble deciding when I want to take it.

So my question is, if you could only go bass fishing during one of these two timeframes in 2012, which would you choose:

A. May 26 - June 10

B. June 30 - July 15

Thanks.

[EBass]

Depends on where in the state and the spring weather. If I'm going up north I'd wait. If staying local or south I'd take the Memorial week

[Hester]

I would take the first week if it was just based on fishing.

But if your taking 2 weeks for a nice vacation with the family, I would take the one later in the summer and enjoy the weather more.

[Ray Esboldt]

I would take B because you should be clear of the post-spawn. I personally take my vacations in late July and August. Just about any option (deep, weedlines, shallow, ultra-shallow) is viable at that time.

[grab the net]

May 26th, start date is probably best fishing,almost everything is still shallow including panfish, makes everything a little more accessible, easier to locate. Could still have some spawning fish, and post spawn. For sure find some smallies on beds yet. But weather is unpredictable, could get a weeks worth of cool rainy weather. Fish still bite, but just not as comfortable.

1st two weeks of July, more dependable weather, stable, weedlines are developing, water temps are up, fish are eating and more options available on how you want to catch them.

If I could only pick one, I would take 1st two weeks of October.

[BTL]

Man, great replies guys. I don't know if this is making it easier or harder to decide though, both options sound so good!

Oh, and for the record I will be in West Central MN.

[JP Z]

Both options are very good. I guess it might just boil down to the family time....I know it's tough, but that is one of the sacrifices we make. The weather will be nicer in June/July. Honestly that would be a funner time although I do love Opening weekend. Mainly just because I've been couped up not Bass fishing for a bunch of months.....I would lean towards the warmer period.

[CrowWingBasser]

As I read your post, fishing seems to be important. The earlier period would be my pick. Not only will the fish be shallow but you will have the lake much more to yourself. Most schools get out in early June -families head to the cabin - water ski & jet ski traffic pick up. My motto has always been to fish early and fish late. Last two weeks in October being the best! However, haveing said that - I also fish all the weeks in between.

[Comit 2]

I think you have it right. My 2 would be the last two weeks of spring. Right before the curly leaf pond weed dies off. Not to mention you can fish until 10pm in day light and it is the time of year when we have the best weather in the country!!!! It is why we put up with frozen water this time of year.

[RumRiverRat]

The June July period should mean great topwater action in the morning and evening.

Topwater Slop bite all day long.

[grab the net]

West Central? meaning the Alex to Fergus area? If so, they are both excellent time frames, I take the first two weeks of july for vacation each year, spend it at the cabin in Ottertail county.

[BTL]

Right now it's looking like I'm going to do July this year. Waiting on word from some relatives.

I've gone for the opening two weeks for the past 5 years, but before that it was always a Summer trip. The late Spring fishing has been outstanding recently, so I'm a little hesitant to change, but I think maybe I should go for the Summer bite this time.

I could really go for some slop fishing. Also I haven't done much structure fishing in years. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll still be able to find some of those jumbo gills I caught last year, though it won't be as easy.

Grab the net, yeah, cabin in OTC. My family has a couple cabins actually, but one is falling victim to rising water, so it's not very liveable anymore.

[grab the net]

If thats the case maybe I will see you on the water someplace.

[Stick in Mud]

What an awesome place we live in.....fishing will be fun whenever you choose. Enjoy your vacation!

[lookincalifornia]

my buddy and i used to spend a week on head lake. we would dive up on memorial day and catch tons of bass all week. used to go to my G-pa's on rush in july and caught plent of bass then too. i don't think you can go wrong either way. have fun.

[Bobby Bass]

A the first two weeks and I will be doing just that this year..

[BTL]

I asked this question last Winter. Thought I'd follow up since I just got back from my trip on Sunday.

Fishing was good as it always is regardless of when I go. I fished 6 lakes (some of them numerous times) and caught bass on all of them. I was able to find some deep bass on one lake but other than that, everything came shallow in the grass or under docks.

Frogs were the best bait overall. Tubes caught the most smallmouth. Spinnerbaits were good on windy days. Deep cranks and drop shots caught next to nothing. Barely fished Texas rigs or weightless plastics at all.

The things that surprised me the most were:

-Lakes with lots of thick cover were no good at all. One lake in particular had the best looking frogging cover I've ever seen, but barely produced anything in 2 trips. I catch some really nice bass there in the Spring, so I know they're in there, I just couldn't find them. Lakes with scattered mats and clumps were much better...or easier.

-I caught hardly anything on offshore structure. All of my smallmouth came off of one steep dropoff about 30 feet from shore. Drop shotting offshore humps only produced a few largemouth to my surprise.

-Lack of Northern Pike. I've become so used to Spring fishing that I forgot that in Summer the Northerns aren't swarming the shallows biting everything that moves. That was kinda nice, only lost a couple lures to them.

Overall I like the Spring bite better.

[BobOmaha]

Thanks for your report/update! I've traveled "north" for most of our family vacations - both as a kid and now as an adult. Due to "employment challenges", my last MN vacation was in 2007! <crying> So, I greatly enjoyed your post. As I read it, I could almost visualize similar locations on "my" lakes.

Thanks again... you made my day!