Bait for the opener

[fishingstar]

now that most lakes are open. whats the bait of choice for the opener

I was asking today about leaches. It does not sound like they are going to be available

it looks like it will be fat heads or plastics for me

what will you be using?    

[otterman91105]

It will be jigs and a shiner for me! Lets hope the weather stays nice for the opener.

[tacklejunkie]

Shiners...... if you can get them 

[Wanderer]

The bottoms of the leech ponds are still frozen according to the report I just read.  Shiners are still “wait and see” for the suppliers.  The bait shops are HOPING to have some sort of selection on hand but it might just be wishful thinking at this point.

 

A point on leeches this early - it’s still early to be using them.  Leeches don’t fish as well in cold water as they do in warmer summer water.

 

I’ll probably be chasing after a turkey still so I’m not too worried. 

 

Get your plastics ready and good luck!

[Mike89]

I think I'll get my can cooler ready!!!

[Wanderer]

28 minutes ago, Mike89 said:

I think I'll get my can cooler ready!!!

 

Its not already??? 

[Mike89]

3 hours ago, Wanderer said:

 

Its not already??? 

 

 

oh yes!!!  always on the ready!!!!  happy hour is coming soon!!!

[bobberineyes]

You go ahead and cast that can coolie mike, I'm sticken to whatever minnows I can get!!    Shiners are always first choice..

Edited May 6, 2018 by bobberineyes

[Mike89]

1 hour ago, bobberineyes said:

You go ahead and cast that can coolie mike, I'm sticken to whatever minnows I can get!!    Shiners are always first choice..

 

 

I'll be using plastics and crank baits!!!

[IceHawk]

I have a pound of leeches already so there will be leeches you just might have to find a private trapper that will sell you some. 

[smurfy]

38 minutes ago, IceHawk said:

I have a pound of leeches already so there will be leeches you just might have to find a private trapper that will sell you some. 

what time do you go ni-nite?????? i'll be over!!!!!!! i'm a minner guy the first part of the season!!!!!!!!

[smurfy]

In all reality, I'm passing on the first weekend. Let the cookies at it first. not a fan of crowded lakes and hiways. Headed north the following weekend.

[tacklejunkie]

 Plus, weather wise, it looks like a typical Minnesota opener 

[fishingstar]

sounds like leeches will be available. 

I have my pound ordered  

[paceman]

Spot tailed shiners on a short snelled lindy rig, small bullet weight, 8-10' of water along the immerging weeds usually does very well on the lake I will open on. If no shiners are available, then will try a jig with a fathead...

[LoonASea]

I will be pulling a shallow shad rap in 5-7 Ft on the wind blown shore line some where in Wisc,,, I like to avoid the frustration at the landing on opener ,,, But I do love the comedy 

[tacklejunkie]

On 5/8/2018 at 8:59 AM, LoonASea said:

I will be pulling a shallow shad rap in 5-7 Ft on the wind blown shore line some where in Wisc,,, I like to avoid the frustration at the landing on opener ,,, But I do love the comedy 

 

The best entertainment is watching the boat landings on the St. Louis river on opening day

Edited May 10, 2018 by tacklejunkie

[Uncle Bill]

Fished Wisconsin opener on Chippewa flowage.

 

Slot is 15 to 20 one over 24.

 

Two of us, kept 2 fish between 15 - 20 and 1 fish over 24. (each)

 

Threw back about 40 fish on Saturday. Sunday fishing was really slow. Only fished in the mornings (no evenings)

 

Caught all on fathead and jig.  (Didn't need any other bait)

 

8 to 10 feet for most. Water temp between 46 and 47.

 

Females we fillet'd had already spawned.

 

Maybe that information will translate to most, or some Minnesota lakes.

 

Good luck.

[otterman91105]

wow that sounds like a really good morning if you can catch 40 walleyes in a morning. 

[Uncle Bill]

14 hours ago, otterman91105 said:

wow that sounds like a really good morning if you can catch 40 walleyes in a morning. 

 

It was fun..

 

Most where 12" to 15" ....

 

Sunday was slower. Threw back about a dozen.

 

Should add that's not unusual for the chip.

 

When you're on em, your on em.

 

Here today, gone tomorrow.

 

I been fishing it since I was kid. First from shore, then from boat.

 

My dad bought and operated a bar and resort near there more than 35 years ago. 

Edited May 11, 2018 by Uncle Bill