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Some awesome weather has really turned on the spring fishing. Now is the time to hit the water.
On the Rock River, the walleye bite has slowed
down but the whitebass run is getting started. The water is warming
up, and the better bite seems to be in the late afternoon in shallow
water near rocks or shell beds. Controlled drifting with jig and plastic
combinations, or anchoring just up stream from the hard bottom structure
and running three ways with live bait seem to be the most consistent
approaches. For whitebassL Jig and twister, jig and minnow, small inline spinners,
small reflective minnow baits or small lipless crankbaits are all solid
options for chasing whitebass. Look for shelves or areas with incoming
water off the main channel. Fish will start heading for creeks with moving water, just work an area until you start getting bit, and adjust in or
out as necessary. The mouths of the Bark and Crawfish River, the area
just south of downtown Ft Atkinson, and the Jefferson Dam are starting to give up some earlier schoolers. White, white and pink or gold have been the best colors
this season, although a blue and white combo is a long time favorite of
mine.
Closer to home, the area lakes are all open. Water temps are still in
the mid 40's to low 50's, and many anglers are reporting that the water is cloudy.
Crappie are being caught in 2-4 and 6-8 feet of water in dark bottom
areas. Look for them in shallow bays with a northern bank, boat channels
or marshy areas. Areas with green weeds, wood laydowns or reeds will
concentrate fish. Early on I like to use waxworms or spikes on a small
red hook, tailed hooked fathead minnows and as the water warms, I'll
start to use plastics, all suspended under a bobber. The bite will be
light, so make sure your weight makes your bobber stand straight and
gets and keeps your bait down. One trick with crappies is to keep your
bait just above them, they like to feed "up." Lower Nehmabin, Pine,
Nagawicka, Fowler, Lac Labelle, Golden, Garvin and Stumpy, Ice House and
Bay Five on Okauchee are all traditional hotspots for early spring
crappies.
I'm always happy to help and provide some tips, shoot me an email or a call if you have questions.
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