Ice - out bass

[rascalP]

OK,

Next Sat. bass opens in Wis. Looks like we'll be having the opportunity to fish "truly" ice - out bass depending on where you go. I was out last Tues. prowling around N. of 8 looking for trout. Found some smaller lake just ice free and others iced over. Deer Lake (St. Croix Falls) was totally solid ice - white ice.

Now my knowledge of this situation is limited to using suspending hard jerk-bait-baits - husky-jerk-baits, X-raps, suspending Rogues, etc... I'm talking ice off for a week or two at most. What are your thoughts? What are you gonna try first? Where?

I'm thinking Clam Lake or Wood or maybe Balsam or smaller SCF lakes. Probably not till Mon. at the earliest (hate opening weekends). I'll expect Deitz to chime in on this one with his wealth of knowledge. Anybody else?

This will be a unique opportunity to try for bass as soon as the ice leaves. I'm curious to see what works for everybody.

rascal

[Slyster]

Why is Wisconsin so early? Their bass can't possibly spawn a month earlier!

[goblueM]

wisconsin always has opener earlier, except for trout. i don't get it

[RiverBassGuy]

SENKO. Or if you're a jig guy, just work a jig or texas rig worm really really slow. Senkos are a great slow presentation that really tempts cold water bass

[Nick Kuhn]

 Originally Posted By: Slyster

Why is Wisconsin so early? Their bass can't possibly spawn a month earlier!

For bass this doesn't see, to be much of a factor. Good catch and release efforts really have bolstered the populations throughout Wisconsin.

That said this year will be a poor hatch anyway. Last year was a very good hatch which means a lot of the food necessary for fry and fingerlings isn't available this year. Coupled with the cold spring few will survive. Sure fishing will never help this but bass numbers in general are very strong.

[RK]

Hiya -

Suspending jerkbaits are for sure high on the list. If the fish are deeper, add suspending crankbaits like DD Husky jerk-baits or Glass Shad Raps or X Shads to the list.

The other thing which is usually WAY overlooked is hair or marabou jigs. Often hard to do any better than a 1/8 oz black marabou or fox hair jig when the water's cold. Little crappie tubes can work too. (Think about how many bass you catch on crappie jigs while crappie fishing in the spring...) Either hop/swim them on the bottom, or use a slip bobber.

If you're going with plastics, a split shot or Mojo Rig and a 4-5" straight tail worm, a 3" senko on a 1/16 oz jig, or a paddle tail grub like a Mann's Stingray Grub, Persuader Paddle Tail or Lunker City Pudgie are good too. Any color's fine as long as it's smoke or Avocado green.... If fish haven't moved in at all, drop shot with a finesse worm or a Gulp! Alive leech...

Cold water bass is kind of fun. Weird way to fish compared to what we're used to but kind of fun to learn some new stuff.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[TonkaBass]

RK is right on. I like to fish jerkbaits and crankbaits. Remember to let the suspending jerkbaits sit for a long time inbetween jerk-baits and twitches. Watch your line closely. When cranking, I like to choose a crank that either swims really natural, like the shad rap, or has a nice tight wiggle, one with flat sides. The most important thing to remember is to try and fisnd some warm water or good transition areas. Good Luck!

[cjac]

TonkaBass,

Did you pick any of those Glass Shad and Fat Raps this weekend at the GM sale? I did and hopefully I'll be able to put 'em to good use.

Thanks for the info guys.

[Stick in Mud]

Regular old Mister Twisters can be great, too, especially if you buy the 1/8 max gap jigs and tip them with a bigger-than-average tail. They have a very slow rate of fall, and the lack of weeds usually means they can be fished just about anywhere.

[st.crioxfishin]

If you can find dark bottomed bays or canals they may be your best bet. Finding water in the 40 degree and above range will also be key. These are two things that I have looked for so far this spring. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits can be good when the water gets into the 45 degree and above range also.

In past years when I've fished Wisconsin opener for walleyes, we have thrown floating rapalas and husky jerk-baits in shallow water if the ice gets out about 1-2 weeks before opener. While doing this we usually run into some smallmouth that are willing to bite!

[TonkaBass]

Cjac,

Yeah I did. I think I picked up about 15 or so of the glass shads, and about 15 of the glass Fat Raps. Those glass raps are really good for cold water bass. They catch both smallies and largemouth in good numbers. Last spring I hooked into a really big muskie on minnetonka with one, and almost landed him.

Awww, the wait can get to be soooo long!

[cjac]

First off, thanks for steering me to the GM sale!

You did well on the Shads, I picked up more Fats than Shads as they were fairly well picked over, but that's kind of my preference really....always had a thing for the Fat Raps. Both the glass Shad and Fat Raps are productive for Fall walleyes too, can I use that word in the Bass forum? Really, if you find the wallys on structure but not going full speed the suspending Glass Raps will trigger 'em. I should try that more on 'tonka 'eyes in the Fall really....

Speaking of 'tonka and you near muskie, I grabbed several of the 3/4oz dual willow bladed Northland Reed Runner spinnerbaits, should be good out there slow-rolled over the 'foil and for tigers in the Metro too.

Good times to come, gettin' antsy......

[DomW]

I haven't heard any mention of rat-l-traps or similar baits. I figure these will be good, too, but I have no experience fishing for bass this close to ice-out. Any help?

[Superduty]

I have had some success with traps in coldwater in the spring. You will likely need to find some vegetation to rip 'em through. Get the bait into the grass and rip it out.

[st.crioxfishin]

Yep, I've caught over 50% of my fish this spring on Rat'l traps.