Gun around the lake to long-cast a heavy big-bladed bucktail to the few very warmest spots on the water, stream inlets and such.
Move out to target shallow flats with green weeds. Long casts with gliders or twitch baits over the flats then really slow down and use a jig/creature to explore those sides/portions of the warm flat that drop the fastest into the deepest water. Those few spots that also get the first current wind are the most important. (The past few days of the wind direction has all sorts of implications, btw.)
Go back to the greenest, warmest shallow flat. Be sneaky. Hold the boat on the downwind side of the flat but within a cast to the deep water drop on the upwind side of the flat. The more wind the better. Those are hot fish, holding on the edge of the drop looking into the wind. Fool them by being behind them. Throw a heavy spoon (required by wind, anyway) bring it in fast and high and cast over and over. The holding fish might not move far to one side or the other to grab a fast bait, but she has a hard time not biting when you drag the bait right into her face.
By now I've traveled enough to spot pods of perch and walleye holding in deep water. Nothing happening above I move to ice fishing mode, go back to the deep water fish schools I spotted earlier and hold over them with a jig/minnow straight down next to the boat. Watch my bait and how the fish react. Modify accordingly.
That's how I might start.
I'm thinking about trolling the "coot" lure on a four rod spread. All the while I'll drink and eat and watch everyone stare and wonder WTF is that crazy mofo doing.
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"jasonvkop" said:
[quote="Chasin50"]Can't wait to throw one of my new twisted suckers…
Have you seen those in the water at all yet?? Been a lot of talk about them on first, but seems just like a treat to me. I might have to get a couple though as I like those kind of baits.
I have not. I love treats, but they are so small, over priced, and they are not consistent one to the next.
I have my fingers crossed on the Twisted Suckers…
"Chasin50" said:
I have not. I love treats, but they are so small, over priced, and they are not consistent one to the next.
I have my fingers crossed on the Twisted Suckers…
Definitely let me know how they work out. I agree with you on the treats…regular ones are too small but mags are too big. How big are the twisted suckers and how much are they?
"jasonvkop" said:
[quote="Chasin50"]
I have not. I love treats, but they are so small, over priced, and they are not consistent one to the next.I have my fingers crossed on the Twisted Suckers…
Definitely let me know how they work out. I agree with you on the treats…regular ones are too small but mags are too big. How big are the twisted suckers and how much are they?
Size is right between the two treat sizes, cost is $25. And, the paint is really nice.
This is why I love this club!! We have a 3 page discussion going on about what bait were all gonna throw this coming opener! By the responses you can tell we all have a serious sickness! I'll bet the majority of us have gone down in the basement, garage or man cave and just sat down picked up our baits, play with them, organize, pick up a rod and pretend. We cannot be saved! It's really amazing the power that a fish has over us! There is not one day that goes by that I don't think of muskies or my boat. At night sometimes I'll sit in my boat just for the hell of it. It's funny but I have no shame admitting that I'm addicted to a fish! We getting close boys!! The opener is right around the corner and for me it's felt like eternity since last December!!
"detroithardcore" said:
I'll bet the majority of us have gone down in the basement, garage or man cave and just sat down picked up our baits, play with them, organize, pick up a rod and pretend.
Haha, I do that a couple times a week. You can only sharpen hooks so many times though. I'm am losing my mind waiting for season, the anticipation gets worse each year. I'm taking most of the opening week off and plan to fish pretty much all day every day, and as Bart Scott would say, "cant wait!!".
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Ok, We chose a shallow weedy warm lake for the opener. Should have a slight stain. We always bring a complete spread of size and colors. Michelle has not decided what she is going to throw first yet. I am not sure either. Both of us will let the water tell us what it wants.
In the past we have done real well there with smaller bucktails, Little Claws and Crane 205's . But the real success we have had there have been on jointed cranks trolled in Olive and Blue frogs. We will start at first light casting known hot spots looking for shallow fish. Ill most likely start with a natural brown and white double 8 bucktail and switch off with a sucker colored Little claw. Im sure Michelle will throw her Brook trout little claw but Im not sure if it will be her first choice. Both of us have a bunch of new lures to get wet. Moski Lilly Hammers will get some time as will some new Rubber Hairy baits. If I see any top water action from the fish my Weagle will come into play. Its going to be mid 60's and overcast all day so conditions are good. To all of you guys be safe and have a great opening day. We will be on Lower Crooked so if you are planning on being there Michelle and I will be in our little Jon Boat. Mike and Michelle
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