Early Season Bass tips?

[Pherris]

I will be fishing the first week of June on The Whitefish chain. Looking for info such as what areas are best to fish that time of the year shore, mid lake humps... ect? I do not expect to much weed growth that early. Also what type of lures would be best? Thanks for any replies.

[ASTRO]

I don't think you will find much for LM bass on mid lake humps that early in the season.
One of my best presentations I have found is to dead stick a power slug.
This happened to me last year. I was on a lake in the Brainerd area for opener and the water was clear and cool. I searched the shallow spawning bays for a couple of hours with not much luck. I decided that the bass were not into the spawn yet so I figured I would try and see if they were stageing outside the shallows. I moved to the outside weed line in 12ft of water and hit the mother load. All I would do is cast and make sure my slug was close but not in the weeds and just let it sit there. I must have caught 10 fish in the first spot and none were under 3lb's.

ASTRO

[wastewaterguru]

Have you tried some "Wacky" worm presentations yet? Early season the fish can be pretty finicky. There are several articles, etc. on this technique on the web.

My favorites are the Zoom Trick Worm with an eagle claw 1/0 hook with the spring weed guard hooked through the center of the egg sac of the worm. (no weight)

And a Yamamoto Senko or baby Senko rigged the same way.

You just throw it out and let the bait fall slowly through the fish zone. These baits are both nuetral buoyancy and sink very slow and remain horizontal. Just leave slack in your line and wait till you see your line twitch or start going sideways and give em hell.

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John K., a.k.a. wastewaterguru
Prior Lake, Minnesota

[Guest]

My bluegill hole has been invaded by 2-4 lb Largemouth....

Warmer weather has them Bass biting on my maggots and ratfinkie jig.

They are still swimming of course. Season opener is quite a ways off...And them bigger bass keep the small Bluegill population in check too. :-)

Keep your jig horizontal.

PCG

[Guest]

Check big trout, the smallies will be on their beds. Give 4inch power slugs a try and fish them slooowwww!!! Also check out Arrohead as it has a lot of shallow spawning areas, the bucket mouths will be in transition from their spawning area to their main lake spots. There is so much to fish down there that a guy could spend days fishing and not cover all the spots. A lot of the smaller lakes around the area contain a lot of great early season shallow spots to fish. Good Luck!!!

[Pherris]

This is all good info. Thanks and keep it coming.

[ASTRO]

Another good lure to try is a suspending jerk bait like a husky jerk.
I like to use a gold with black back. After the cast I give the reel a few turns to get it down and after that I pause, twitch a few times,pause, and then reel it in a few feet and repeat.
I usually use this lure around points and over flats.

ASTRO