Opening Day Tactics

[Guest]

Only four more days to go. All of your gear is ready, the boat is gassed up and your batteries are charged. But just how are you going to tempt that big old bucketmouth to hit? Here are a few tips and tactics and an overall expectation of this years opener.

This year should prove to be a fairly typical and normal bass opener. Depending on where you are in the state and the lake you are on, the bass could be in any stage of the spawn. In the south, bass should pretty much be done spawning and mostly be in an early post spawn phase. You could still be successful fishing spawning fish, but look for more numbers fishing post spawners. In the central part of the state, you could really see fish in just about any stage of the spawn depending on the lake. Shallower or darker lakes that warm more quickly should be farther along in the spawn than deeper cooler lakes. For the most part, the spawn will be close to finished, but you should still be able to find fish on beds. In the north pre spawn will be most common with some fish starting to move up onto beds. As always, respect any fish on it's bed and if caught, please release as quickly as possible.

The best locations throughout the state will be closely related to spawning areas. Large, sheltered flats with a fairly hard bottom (sand to gravel areas) and some scattered vegetation will be best. Spawning areas close to deep water are even better. For the most part, most fish in late pre spawn, spawn and early post spawn can all be caught in water less than 10 feet deep. Now is the time to perfect your shallow bass skills.

Use horizontal lures that can be worked quickly to help locate cruising fish on the flats. Baits like spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, or even topwaters (buzzbaits and spooks) work great at locating fish. Finding fish on beds is easy enough, just motor very slowly along the shore and over the flat looking for round depressions with fish nearby or in the bed. Finding those cruising pre and post spawn fish can be a little more challenging. Cover water and keep your eyes open and your polarized glasses on looking for fish swimming aimlessly along. These fish can be caught, but more importantly, it tells you bass location and you can adjust your presentation and depth accordingly.

Once fish are located, you can slow down your presentation. In shallower water, try fishing a wacky rigged trick worm or a fluke type bait. Another great technique for shallow water is a split shot or mojo rig with a tube, lizard or finesse worm. Texas rigged worms and lizards are also a good choice. As you move deeper, many of the same presentations will work, just add more weight. Also, Carolina rigged plastics of all types (tubes, flukes, lizards, fries) work very well. Once fish are located, any presentation that will sit in the face of a lethargic spawned out fish will tempt more stikes.

Bass opener in Minnesota is quite possibly the best time of the year to catch bass. Fish are quite active and agressive and can be caught on many different techniques. Fish can be located fairly easily and are often quite shallow at this time adding to the fun of the catch. Good luck this year, I expect to hear a lot of good reports, and remember to release the big girls. Take a quick picture then drop her back.

Good luck and tight lines!

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Adam Johnson
www.adamjohnsonfishing.com

[EBass]

Q: Is a fluke a worm with a flat tail? I read that on another fishing site and that was the ticket for the big gals.

Just wondering what to buy at the tackle shop. Thanks,
EBass aka Eric

[Guest]

EBass,

A fluke is a soft plastic shad shaped bait. Baits I am referring to are Millennium Lures Look Alike Shads, Zoom Superflukes, Berkley Jerk shads, and many others. Slug-gos can also be put into this category.

Good luck this weekend.

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Adam Johnson
www.adamjohnsonfishing.com

[EBass]

Ah, I see clearly now. Thanks.

Millennium also make those ring worms that the eyes love in the spring?

Is Millennium sold at Gander Mt and Gaylans? I thought they were, but I never seem to find them.

Thanks Adam,
EBass