spring fishing

[Capt Eric]

Jig short reef and mouse island early... you'll find some there. Late March, early April we were trolling just above American Eagle and Scott Point Shoal, up to Starve Is. Reef... some days right in the ferry lanes to South Bass. A vast majority of the 'lake spawners' head to the reef complex down west, but there's always a few stragglers ... or maybe they just get lost!

[branhamautomotive]

The cans and reefs produce well normally. Coming from where you are I would try the reefs b4 going over to cans. Large females can be had up high, late April early May you actually troll you deep divers bouncing off the bottom or just above it and get good limits too.

Even though the slow troll is similar to summer trolling, there is a few differences beyound just speeds and leads. The way the fish are targeted, triggered, and handled are different. A lot can be learned in a trip or two with some of the top charters.

[Lucky Duck]

With these jigs, do I use the twister tails like I have used on the Maumee river walleye run? I thought I read that sometimes the jigs are tipped with shiners like you do with ice fishing?
Thanks,
Bruce

[Bggeary]

I don't know why but everyone seems to think you need the hair jig. IT'S FLAT LIKE PENNY SIZE and has hair. I like regular 3/8 led and a salt and pepper tube skirt. Good for smallmouth also. My guess is probably twisters would work, but I have never tried floaters. Think I'll try that this year. Good luck which ever way you go.

[sherman51]

march through early april the jig bite can be amazing at times. by the middle of april the trolling will be hot. but you can find fish trolling in late march. the fishing is going to be nothing short of amazing this yr. the 15 hatch was huge and there all going to be legal with fish being around 20"+. the 16 hatch which was huge and just under legal last yr are going to be 16" to 18" and all legal.

[vanatta22]

I know that spring sounds like the time to be fishing but I was wondering if mid March is too early? I know that it comes down to if the ice is melted and if it is? would trying to get out be worth a shot. ill be going out of turtle creek. If ice is melted.... will the fish be on the reefs or where else to try? Cabin fever is getting to me and I am ready to get the boat out! Mid March is my spring break and I plan to be on the water!

[branhamautomotive]

I know that spring sounds like the time to be fishing but I was wondering if mid March is too early? I know that it comes down to if the ice is melted and if it is? would trying to get out be worth a shot. ill be going out of turtle creek. If ice is melted.... will the fish be on the reefs or where else to try? Cabin fever is getting to me and I am ready to get the boat out! Mid March is my spring break and I plan to be on the water!

The fish don't know what month or day it is. They are driven by their instincts. They sense water temps, moon phases, and other environmental factors. And when these things happen they do somewhat predictable behaviors and patterns.

A great number walleye spend most of the winter in eastern side of the wesyern basin and the western side of the central basin most of the winter feeding. As water temps rise the walleye population west of kellies island explodes in the spring. The odds are in the fisherman's favor.

But remember in the early spawn most of the fish caught jigging are not caught because they are feeding, the walleye are protecting it's turf from anything in it. I know some ppl tip their jigs with minors and some dont. Fish are had each way. I feel the shiner just gives the fish a bigger target

As later April early May rolls around the males start more feeding.

Look for water temps getting near 40s to start to trigger spawning activities. But fish can be had a colder temps. I'm sure the fish are staging up as we are all waiting for the ice to melt. Fish should be able to had from vermillion west as soon as the ice allows. It's just finding some looking for a snack.

I'm just as ready as all to get out and see some trophies come aboard.

[vanatta22]

Another question! I know that the pre spawn will more than likely be in march. I have heard of people fishing somewhere around the island and catching some hogs but that it about all I know. I am not sure if the fish on the east side of put n bay area. I do know that the are trolling slow. Just not sure where or what is in the area for this to fish around in that pre spawn. If for some reason the jigging isnt going my way around the reefs, Id like to have a back up plan and if I could figure out or get an idea where you guys fish around over by the islands in march during the pre span. Im not asking for your hot spots just the general area or reasoning why for the spots. Thank you!

[Reel_Deal]

Another question! I know that the pre spawn will more than likely be in march. I have heard of people fishing somewhere around the island and catching some hogs but that it about all I know. I am not sure if the fish on the east side of put n bay area. I do know that the are trolling slow. Just not sure where or what is in the area for this to fish around in that pre spawn. If for some reason the jigging isnt going my way around the reefs, Id like to have a back up plan and if I could figure out or get an idea where you guys fish around over by the islands in march during the pre span. Im not asking for your hot spots just the general area or reasoning why for the spots. Thank you!

this is going to be my first spring fishing so i'm learning as well. i'll be up there first time the weather permits but have a 3 day trip planned for april. going out of the same area. i'm hoping to learn a little bit before my trip in april on some trips in march. i'm all ready for the weather to break and get things going this season. i stopped by Capt. Eric and DJ's booth in columbus and they helped me out quite a bit in just the five to ten mins i got to talk to them. i'm all about trying to help one another out and trying to fish with partners to get on some fish. good luck this year. feel free to throw me a message and let me know how you're doing. i will do the same.

[vanatta22]

I know that it is just a little chilly this weekend but is anyone heading out? I would like to try to get up next weekend if the wind plays nice. With not much rain in the forecast it should clear up a little. Anyone have any thoughts of when they are going to get up?