Early season baits?

[RuKiddingMe]

In the early season do you guys find it more productive with smaller baits, larger baits, or they size not even play a roll when deciding what gets put on the end of the line next?

In my experience I have found that if I use the same bait sizes I generally use all season long that my are better, I have tried the smaller baits and not done anything with them. What is your experience with this?

RU

[MuskyBrian]

Smaller sized baits can be extremely effective, although certainly not a must. Caught many Muskies over the past few years on Mepps #5 in Canada and also am a big Fan of the smaller sized Maribous. As I am starting to focus on bigger fish only this is becoming less apealing but for numbers still an awesome bet. I have found that smaller lures dont work as well in the lower 48 states however, think it has all to do with what baitfish are available for prey.

[AWH]

I used to use some smaller baits early in the year because that's what the "book" says. But I've gone away from that and do just as well. And actually, my best early season bait is the same big bait that I'm using just before freeze up.

Aaron

[Random guy]

I still use the "SSSS" theory. Springtime. Shallow. Small. Slow. Approach with my early season presentations. I like smaller big bladed slow moving bucktails and the smaller jerk baits until I see the water temps coming up.

I also will pay close attention to the food source at hand, if for some reason I think the musky are feeding on bigger chow I will upsize to match the hatch as they fly fishermen say.

[TomWehler]

Post deleted by TomWehler

[porterhouse]

Here are my early June muskie baits that I have caught muskies on.

1)Northland 3/4oz tandem spinnerbait. Black/silver. My #1 bait in the early season.

2)Walk The Dog Topwaters. Vipers!!!!! I did pick up a Jailbait weagle this past winter. This bad boy will be getting some playing time in June. I love Walk The Dogs when water temps are cool.

3)Small Crane crankbaits. Twitch them really slow and hold on.

4)Gliders. Last June I did real well on hellhounds.

5) And my secret bait is a J-Mac jig with a salty plastic.

Good luck!!!!!

Brian

[cjac]

Porterhouse and I think alike, I like the slow roll of the spinner baits, and the J-mac jig presentation, and teasing with a topwater.

Above all, as Jon P said, take the "match the hatch" approach. Let the lake and the conditions dictate your presentation.

S-L-O-W is a critical component to always bear in mind. Easier said than done though after sitting around all winter!

Chris

[AWH]

The more I think about this one, I think there are a few variables you have to consider as far as what size bait you're throwing. The main one would be - where are you fishing? And by "where", I mean where on the lake, not which lake.

If you're fishing shallow, I can see downsizing. If you're fishing deeper water, there's no way I'm downsizing.

In recent years I've discovered a few things when it comes to early season musky fishing. This is the one time of year that I've really noticed that certain types of structures hold certain sizes of fish.

I fish in northern MN and to me I call early season pretty much all of June. From the metro area south, I would say early season is over by mid June, sometimes late June.

If you fish the same structure in June and into July and August, are you seeing the same size fish in June that you see in July and August? If I'm fishing the better known areas or areas near spawning grounds, I'm not seeing big fish in these areas until later in the summer. Clearly the big fish go into the shallows to spawn. But I believe that they quickly head off to other areas as soon as the spawn is over. It's the males and smaller females that I believe are left to roam these more "typical" spring locations. So if I'm fishing those areas, I can see the advantage of smaller baits.

But I like to go after big fish. A big fish is going to see a 10" bait as a relatively small bait, so I don't see a reason to downsize if these are the fish I know are in the area. I've caught my biggest fish during early season on spots that aren't typically thought of as your classic early season spots. And none of these fish are caught on small baits.

Now all of that being said, it could just be dumb luck that I've stumbled onto some nice fish this way. It could very well be that the classic spots are the better odds, not only for contacting any size fish, but big fish as well. After all, last year in June I was completely shut out. So my theory sure didn't work in 2005!

Aaron

[Lals]

Hey Boys,

A guestion, when fishing the J-Mac jig in the spring, is this for sight fishing for fish in the shallows? What are the typical depths that you use them?

Thanks,

[cjac]

Hey Lals, hope the winter/off season is treating you well.

I'm still learning about the jigs, but I really can't say there is a situation where the jig is not good! Across all species, jigs probably catch more fish than anything else!

I like them shallow, and the 5/8 ounce Jmac enters without too much of a splash. I'll pull it thru the weeds, and work it into the deeper weedline and breaks as well, bouncing and lifting it down the break, almost swinging it down. Thre 1 1/4 oz jigs are a little better suited for the deeper of course.

For instance: early season on WBL for example, I'll use it on the top of the plateau out from the Ramsey beach, and then work it down those steep edges. Tonka is milfoil of course. Jigs work well in there, as proven by the bass guys getting bitten off by the skis in the foil.

Straight line retrieve works very well too. I think about how many times a pike will hammer a Jig-n-pig when bass fishing on the straight retrieve, after the cover has been worked.

I like them all year, always have one rigged up. I like the black/red, the white/red, and I've always liked the chartruce baits.

See you out in a couple months.

Chris

[Lals]

Chris,

That is a big help -- thanks for the knowledge. I have used them from time to time without any luck. In fact, I bought a "bluegill" color which I thought would have been dynamite on WBL. I guess, I am not using them enough to get some confidence in them. As you know, it just take one fish to feel a lot better about a bait.

Off season has been tough but I did buy a new boat -- bigger boys, bigger toys.

[cjac]

So whats the new rig?? Your Pro V wasn't that old was it?

[RK]

Hiya -

Man, bait size has a lot of variables I think... But to be honest, I take pretty much the same approach to bait size early as I do any other time of year overall.

I pay a lot of attention to water temps early however. Or, I guess I should say the trend in water temps, rather than a number in particular.

If temps are steady or rising slowly, I really don't worry too much about bait size. Have caught quite a few opening day fish on 10" Jakes over the years.

If there's a cold front I may downsize and slow down, which is pretty much what I'd do any time during the summer when I'm in post frontal conditions.

If there's been a rapid warmup, I'll basically treat it the same as a cold front. In a lot of ways I think a rapid warmup screws fish up worse than a cold front. So I'll downsize to small spinnerbaits, small twitchbaits, plastics, etc.

About jigs:

I use them quite a bit. By no means are they a sight fishig only deal. I basically fish them like a bucktail without a blade - fairly steady retreive, with a few half second pauses here and there. Will let them fall deeper in the water column as I bring them over a break or off the edge of a weedline, for example, but for the most part, just cast 'em out and swim them in.

I generally use the heavier J-Macs or Lil' Hustler Swimming Jigs (which I prefer to the J-Macs frankly - hook is way better) with a big Salt Shaker rigged flat when fishing deeper or covering water faster.

For cold fronts, rapid warm ups, or shallow water, I use the 5/8 oz. J-Mac or a Bait Rigs Cobra jig (prefer the Bait Rigs jig, again, because of a superior hook. As you can tell I don't much care for the J-Mac hook) with a big twin tail grub rather than a Salt Shaker. Can keep them up at slower speeds to the point of almost walking them in place. Great trigger for fish that are 'off' due to conditions.

Some jigging things I'm really looking forward to trying this year are giant tubes from Red October Bait Co. 10" tubes... I know a lot of guys swear by Bull Dawgs, but personally if I'm going to do the plastics thing I MUCH prefer a jig - far more versatile I think...

Cheers,

RK

[Lals]

Chris,

I bought a Ranger 620vs. Put the kids through school, and got a raise as a result. My ProV was 6 years old and in pretty good shape. If you are interested to come along sometime, let me know as it would be my pleasure.

[cjac]

Thanks, that would be fun! I'll have to take you up on that! Not sure if I own anything nice enough to wear to fish out of a ride like that! I don't tihnk you would let me in with my Lund gear on!

12 weeks 1 day 14 hours and 40 minutes until muskie opener!

[Random guy]

Quote:

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I bought a Ranger 620vs.

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Look like I need to get to the lake about five minutes sooner to beat you to "The Spot"

[cjac]

No kidding!!!

Lals, what motor are you pushing the luxury liner with? At $2.40 a gallon, you might have to think twice about opening 'er up!

12 weeks 1 day 13 hours and 6 minutes! Not that I'm counting.......

[Random guy]

cjac, I wonder how Lals is going to like that east dock at the lake we fish with that new shiny boat?

[cjac]

Jon,

I heard he's looking at a full wrap around set of bumpers for the Ranger!! Portable protection! I've got all my dings and nicks and hooks in seats taken care of! It'll be a "cringing" experience the first few times out for Lals!

I gladly pay my $30 a year for the other access on that lake!

Chris

[Lals]

You guys crack me up!

You will still see me at the Ramsey Beach launch. When you are old, habits die hard.

The motor is a 250HP Yammy -- 4 stroke. The boat is so heavy that I will need a 5 minute headstart on Jon and his Stratos to get to "ole mo" before him. I think it will take 5 minutes for it to get to plane. Probably will need Jon's morgage services for the gas bill.

I would love to have you guys come along sometime. I think I will have the room

[cjac]

$30 for the Manitou access and parking is worth it! It's a nice ramp and would handle that Ranger a lot easier I'd imagine.

That's quite the ride, you'll love the Yammy, my junior version compared to yours (115 4 stroke) has been flawless.

I'd love a day out in the Ranger!! We'll hook up this summer. Can't wait..especially on a day like this!

Chris