Here it comes...

[Ralph Wiggum]

With the MN bass opener coming up, I got to thinking about how much I have been slacking on my attention to my bass fishing. This multi-species gig is taking up a lot of time and mind power.

So, what will you have rigged up on the 26th? This is the first I have even thought about it.

[Stratosman]

One cranbait, probably a DT10.

One spinnerbait. Clear lake so probably a white/grey with a tandem willow.

Jig worm set-up

Standard texas rig set-up

That will get me started. I am thinking that the bass should have pushed out into the first available cover or will be holding on structure nearest to the shoreline/spawining areas. With presumbably light weed growth, I can cover alot of water with a cranbait, then hopefully I can dial in a pattern and go to the jig or texas rig.....

If the shallow pads are poppin, I will for sure be in there too. Havn't been to the lake this year so I won't know till I get on the water....

Let's hear some other opening day locational strategies and set ups.

[Deitz Dittrich]

RW- Shame on you for not thinking of us more! Although I might secretly want to exchange a catfish trip for a bass one some time.. LOL

For opener I can usually get away with a few rods...

1-Soft plastic Jerkbait.(Exude RT Slug)

2-Hard plastic jerkbait(Rapala X-Rap)

3-Tube(Exude FatTube)

4-Spinnerbait(JB Rattle Spinnerbait)

5-Shallow Dropshot rod(Exude 4" worm)

6-Jig Worm (Exude Crawler)

7-Wacky Rig(Exude Comida)

That should be it... I should be good to go on that! But then again, I may get out there and switch plans as the conditions dictate.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

---

RW-

Shame on you for not thinking of us more!

Although I might secretly want to exchange a catfish trip for a bass one some time.. LOL

---

I know, I know! Between channel cats, sturgeon, the sucker run, carp, and now flatheads, it's been tough! It has saved me money that I'd normally be sending to Bass Pro, though

[TNFL]

My Daughter's Birthday is the 26th. I wish someone would have taught me about "family planning"

I plan on trying to go out still maybe from 5 or 6 until 10 am. I am going to fish 2 seperate reed beds and will need only a 6'6" MH spinning outfit with a weightless senko. I may throw a top water just for fun though. And well, I'll probably bring my crankbait rod too, and my spinnerbait rod, just in case. And what the heck a jig worm rod too, and the texas rig/carolina/stupid rig rod as well, as long as I have the space . Who needs life saving anyways right!

[Redline]

With the weather the way it is, where does everyone think the Bass will be? Last years opener we did really well with throwing spinners in the shallows near spawning grounds.

[TNFL]

I think the weather has been fairly typical this year. Last year was real hot around the metro area and bass were deeper earlier than normal. Sure we've had a few warm days but they have been followed by cool days and unless we get a major hot spell between now and opener, look for bass in the usual May spots. Inside weedlines, reeds, pads, flats near spawning grounds etc.

[Matt Johnson]

I'll definitely have a slug and a jerk-shad of some sort on. Probably an Ogur Slug and an RT Slug. Also can't pass up the jig, probably a Title Shot with some sort of Ugly Otter, Sweet Beaver, or something of the sort. I'm sure I'll have a stack of presentations laid across the deck once bass opener hits

[JP Z]

1. Spinning Rod with a weedless rigged Tube

2. Spinning Rod with a jerkshad (RT Slug)

3. Baitcast with a Spinnerbait (Terminator in Gold/White)

4. Spinning with Senko style (Comida, Senko, or something I haven't even heard of yet)

And that's it, although I will be possibly adding a jigworm rod, a Wacky Rod, and a Carolina Rod.......And then maybe a flipping stick....with a Gulp Beast...

[cjac]

I'm a little surprised no one has mentioned topwater yet. Granted it was the 2nd weekend of the season, but a couple years ago I was on fire with a Rapala Skitter Prop. Twitch....twitch....boom!

It was a northern Minn lake, up on a shallow flat, working the emergent lilly pads. Absolutely had a blast! Lots of nice bass with a couple slimers mixed in, at mid-day to boot!

I'm out of commission with back issues, but if I could fish I would have a spinnerbait, DT crank, topwater, J&P, senko, & a Texas rig worm ready to toss!

Chris

[TNFL]

What??? I had top water as my #2. especially if they are in sparce shallow cover. If they are feeding they will find your bait.

[JP Z]

Yes you were, and honestly I forgot a Topwater rod. But I used to bring 4 rods in the boat a jig worm. A senko. A spinnerbait. And a Topwater...........maybe I will go back to the 4 rod approach........

[cjac]

TNFL,

I missed that, sorry..... I was pretty much eyeing up the numerical lists. Maybe we're the only two smart ones!

[TNFL]

Plus they are so dang FUN!

[TurnUpTheFishing]

This coming bass opener I will have a rod rigged up for fishing some big wild shiners and a heavy rod with some sort of plastic to pitch in cover. Did I forget to mention Ill be fishing Lake Toho in Florida? Man am I pumped!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Alright, I finally found the time to oput some thought into rigging and get things ready for the weekend. Here's what I will start with:

Spinnerbait

Tube

Soft Jerkbait

Hard Jerkbait

Wacky-rigged YUM Dinger

Swimming worm

We'll see how they respond and make changes from there.

[RK]

Hiya -

Looking at the forecast, I'm afraid high and fast won't be in the picture for me this weekend. I'll have a spinnerbait around just to keep them honest, but I think that'll be pike city unfortuately.

I'll probably have a jerkbait out - a Rogue or a Husky Jerk, a flipping tube, probably a med diving crank like a DT-10, and probably - unfortunately - something real subtle like a smoke boot-tail grub or a Power Minnow on a jighead. May even drop shot depending on how much the weeds are up.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Hammer Handle]

I may be "old fashioned", but I find fishing with spinner baits and rubber worms boring....

I will be heading to a lake that is great for bass, and will mainly stick with topwater lures (for the excitement) and shallow diving crankbaits. I love to "rubber frog" it in the lily pads too.

I will also use a Heddon Slopenose too. This lure is over 100 years old and I would love to say I caught a fish on such an old lure. Putting new line on tonight...hope I don't lose it!