What's working now Open Water '07

[Corey Bechtold]

Well, it's time to get it started again! I am ready for the Open Water and as soon as the weather stabilizes it's " GO TIME".

What are everyone's goals heading into the Open Water season?

I want to see my kids continue enjoying fishing and the outdoors and hopefully they catch the biggest fish of their lives.

I also hope to continue helping others who take part in this site to have success on the water.

It's definately time to have fun so let's get it started!!!

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[Cyberfish]

Whooo hoooo! I get the first report!

Me and Casey got out for some float tube action, and the panfish came to play! they were hungry, even hitting our floats! I got all my fish on Stoni and dragnmag plastics, casey was using jimbo hair jigs. we caught and released at least 50 in 2 hours, with a couple of bonus largemouth bass too. Casey lost a big fish. a good way to start the season!

casey gets one

MT with nice sunfish

[PanfishSeeker]

Got out yesterday and caught a few crappie's on a small metro lake. I caught my first fish ever on one of my clouser minnows that I tied this winter. The biggest went 12 3/4. Lots of small crappies and a mixed bag of sunfish. I was just fishing with a yellow white and silver flash clouser about a foot under a bobber with a very slow retrieve.

[Cyberfish]

Here are a few quick video clips of our outing

[Matt Johnson]

Good stuff guys! Open water pannies are here! Time to play

[fisherdog19]

Nothings working right now . We just got 4-6 inches of snow, and it's freezing out .

[The Grebe]

We found that out yesterday! Rain, snow, sleet, we didn't get as much as you got but it had the same effect on the fishing!

Wishful thinking put three of us out chasing crappies that had been on one spot the night before...we caught 1 crayfish and he was dressed in a really small snowmobile suit!

[JP Z]

My lakes are still ice covered so there!!! Well they were opening up, until last night now the open water is froze lightly again.....yuck!

[Kyle Sandberg]

This is my spring break. I was hoping for 50's and open water but instead I'm stuck inside watching The Price is Right. Oh well, I'll get out soon enough. Oh yea, yuk.

[TNFL]

Don't you ever, and I mean ever dis "The Price is Right"!!!

[Kyle Sandberg]

HEy now, I didn't diss it, I love Bob. Man I love that show alltogether, but what I was trying to get across is I WANT TO BE FISHING.

[TNFL]

OK, OK. Hey , it could be worse. You could be working 8 hours a day like me! Enjoy it whilst thou can.

[Kyle Sandberg]

I'm trying, I'm really trying. Next week might be a little more favorable for fishing.

[riversmallmouth35]

I've never fished for panfish until may.( My dad said the fish didn't bite till then) What depth are they in right after ice out? Would like to get out on the lake after this cold front gets out. Maybe next weekend.

Thanks for any help.

[Team Otter]

Focus on the fish that suspend over the basins of the main lake just adjacent of the locations you find them in May.

[Corey Bechtold]

Basicly the reason for the May rush is the fish are looking for warmer water, food to prep for the spawn and cleaning out future spawning areas. The spawn doesn't actually start for a few weeks (typically). Panfish can and will spawn multiple times each year if the conditions are favorable.

But to try and answer your question, right after Ice out the fish will typically be right where you left them. Shallow areas with deep water nearby. The fish will slide in and out to take advantage of the warmer water. "Timing" is an important factor as the sun often needs to warm the water turning on the fish when it reaches their desired temps. If you can find temps between 46-50+ degrees you should find some active fish.

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[uwecsteeple]

Hey cyberfish, where do you get your jimbo hair jigs? Do you order them off his site or are there any dealers that carry them?

Also do you used a slip of fixed float?

Thanks for the help!!

[The Grebe]

Tried it again this morning for a bit....nada.

Looks are decieving, it was cold! Water as clear as gin...well, maybe rum, but nothing was hitting....the waiting game gets to me now and then and I go out and try it against my better judgement.

[Cyberfish]

Calvinist had some. He might of told me where he got them, but I don't remember, sorry! I do have a friend that makes some excellent quality micro hair jigs if you are interested. my email... [email protected]

[CALVINIST]

Quote:

---

Hey cyberfish, where do you get your jimbo hair jigs? Do you order them off his site or are there any dealers that carry them?

Also do you used a slip of fixed float?

Thanks for the help!!

---

E-mail me and I'll send the url. Fixed float. [email protected]

[Kyle Sandberg]

The forecast looks warmer. Should finaly be seeing some of what I've been missing. On a side note, I was up north this weekend and could have been ice fishing. Wow, that really dampens the spirit.

[uwecsteeple]

email sent!

Looks like you guys like the LOBYbaits.com plastics too.

I got some maki's and dragnmag's and love both of them.

As for fishing, no luck this weekend around Phalen, didnt see other people having much luck either. Probably too cold yet

[monstermoose78]

Well we caught some crappis on lakes in the boat habors and channels but only a few gills so far.

[Kyle Sandberg]

Mabey I spook to soon. 3-5 inches of new snow. I guess thats what you get for living in minnesota.

[eyepatrol]

Basically went out today to just run the boat and make sure everything worked, but I did do approx. 1hr of "fishing" on a southcentral MN lake. Water temps varied from 37 to 40 degrees. Brrr! Marked a few schools suspended around 12' and 20' in 30'-35' of water. Missed one fish, didn't have any other takers. Only tried that for an hour then as the sun was about to hit the trees I tried from 3' - 11' of water and nada.

Darn cold water yet.