TIPS FOR EARLY SPRING FISHING

After the winter most of the Midwest has just experienced, many anglers are looking forward to getting on, in, or near the water. This is a time of year when many fishing opportunities present themselves. Anglers can catch fish from a boat, from shore, or while wading. Even when the fish aren't real active, it's so nice just to be outside on a warm, sunny day this time of year. However, it's a lot more fun when the fish do cooperate. Here are some ways you can get more fish to bite right now.

The best time to go fishing is whenever you can go. However, if you can schedule your fishing time, afternoon is the best time this time of year usually. The fish will usually bite best when the water is warmest, and the water will be warmest in the afternoon.

Start on smaller bodies of water. Ponds and small lakes warm faster, so the fish will be more active there. If a large body of water is your only choice, try to find some small bays or canals. These areas will generally warm faster and provide more aggressive fish.

Don't get locked into one specie of fish. They're all fun to catch, and this time of year most anglers just want something to pull back. If the walleyes aren't going, try to catch some crappies or bass or pike. Pike will usually go on the bite earlier than the other species.

Jigs are a good way to catch most species of fish early in the year. A Lip-stick Jig/minnow combination will be very good when the fish are snapping. Try a Fire-ball/minnow set-up when the bite is slower. A jig/Power Grub combination is a great way to cover a large area quickly. When the fish are aggressive, the jig/Power Grub will be your best bet for fast action.

For walleyes in clear lakes in particular, go with a sixteenth ounce jig and minnow at dusk. Too many people use jigs that are too large in clear water. If the water is less than eight feet in depth, a sixteenth ounce Fire-ball and minnow is unbeatable.

The take of a walleye this time of year is very soft. Concentrate on what your jig is doing as it crawls across the bottom. The new Fenwick HMG-AV rods are super sensitive rods that will help in detecting the softest strike.

Generally, slower lure presentations will be best in the spring. If the fish are active, you can speed up to cover more water faster, but if the fishing slows down, lure speed should too.

You just can't beat a sunny spring day on the water. The fishing can be very good, and the sounds of spring will add to the experience. Sometimes the fish are a bonus. However, you can realize more fishy bonuses if you keep the above ideas in mind when you go fishing in the next few weeks.

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