Bass Fishing from Shore, Wading & Float Tube

[Fish Fry Guy]

Anyone have any tips and or locations for a guy without a boat? The only open water fishing I'm capable of doing is on my float tube. I'll be shore fishing from the opener until the water is warm enough for tubing. Thanks

[cableguy031]

Fish Fry,

I have a boat, not the best or the fastest but it'll get you away from shore. I understand about wading and float tube from shore, I've been there before. If you'd like, you can come on my boat this season. I had a fishin' buddy that moved out to Tahoe, Nevada so other than my wife, I've got an open seat, and occasionally a friend or two will join also.

I live in St. Paul. I ususally fish anywhere from Centerville, WBL, Bald Eagle, Calhoun and Harriet, depends on my mood and what kind of action I want. However, I can always accomodate if asked nicely.

If you're interested, send me an email.

Here's mine: [email protected]

[Fish Fry Guy]

Thanks for the offer Cableguy! I'll keep that in mind, I have been ice fishing the same lakes you mentioned all winter. Where are you located?

[Ray Esboldt]

One lake that I found productive in the metro from shore when I had an hour to kill (and lived in Bloomington) was Bush Lake. You could access most of the shoreline and cast to some fairly productive spots. The shorelines do get weedy, but there were always lots of holes to flip a jig into.

[Lunker]

I shore fish a lot around the twin cities. Some of the lakes I like include Calhoun, Harriet, Bush, Isles. Also, the river offers some nice smallie fishing. I also fish from a small boat on a lot of lakes that are surrounded by private housing.

Keep in mind that all the lakes I listed have lots of milfoil. In Calhoun and Harriet they will cut it periodically. Fishing is bad for a few days after a cut, then when it starts to grow back in patches it will be much easier to fish.

My favorite way to fish the city lakes is fishing topwaters right before and during sundown. Fishing in the openings, over the weeds, and around the patches will produce some nice fish. If this doesn't do the trick, or you can't be there at sundown, I like fishing plastics like senkos or a variety of others. I don't fish much with jigs because the problem is you are not above the weeds like with a boat, so you can't really drop the jigs into pockets so well.

As for the river, I am not a great river fishermen, but I've been learning. I fish a lot in pool 2, especially under the dam. I like to keep it simple, fishing things like a jig and twister tail. I can usually pick up some smallies and an occasianal white bass, crappie, or sheepshead this way.

Good luck

[cableguy031]

Fish Fry,

I live in St. Paul. I've been itchin' to go out on the open waters, I've got a case of bad "cabin fever" this year. I know of a couple o other lakes but I won't say them here.

Send me an email, we'll talk more about it.

[email protected]