May 2nd weekend

[gsehntr1226]

Hey spoonie can you do the trolling thing this early, either body baits, spoons, or crawler harnesss, what you think? Thanks for your reply

[jkr]

When you catch your trophies in the North winds, are you drifting (jigging or draggin harnesses) or are you trolling reef runners? Do you fish off the reefs in deeper water? I'm coming up Sat/Sun from Cincy area too and not sure if I should troll with harnesses and runners out deeper (north of the reefs) or try jigging in shallower where the water is warmer (and probably muddier). Any advice before I make the long trip up there?

[spoontang]

The big fish I land this time of year are primarily drifting. I tie my own harness. Cabelas has a sweet set up I love. I buy their 3 hook rigs, red hooks, red line (invisable at more than 10 feet deep) and I use the description in the earlier post. 5 green beads, silver blade with emerald fleck. I like a long lead to the swivel. 5 to 6 feet lead. I want my 4 oz lead bumping the bottom every once in a while. You will likely just see dead weight on the line. Go light on the drag. The big fish with tear the little hooks out. The trophies are usually resting in deep water, 30 plus fow, North of the reefs and spawning grounds. It is their natural migration route. You won't catch as many, but they are rewarding.

Yes- trolling is effective this time of year. The key is to go slow!!!!! 1.2-1.6 mph. The surface is warming, but the deep water is cold and that's where the fish are. When the deep water under the thermocline reaches the surface temerature, the lake will "turn over" and kill the bite for a day or 2. Usually the first week of June. I would troll worm harness from down rigger or torpedo diver, small scorpion stinger size spoons, flatline reef runners or husky jerks. I would put the boat in nuetral when I saw fish under the boat, pause for about 10 seconds and pop it back into gear. Alot of fish hit when you take off.

I have never had luck trophy fishing with jigs. Some do. Most of it is through the ice. The females eat heavy in Feb and March getting ready for the spawn. I don't think they forage much when getting ready to spawn but will instinctively eat when the bait hits their nose. That is what makes the railroad brige so good during the spawn migration. All or the fish funnel through a small opening. If it's there, they eat it. The trophies I am talking about will be spawned out, exhausted females that have rested after the spawn and need to start eating again. We have netted them burping up 8 and 10 inch white and yellow perch.

Keep me posted men. I will travel with my laptop and check postings. I wish you safe fishing and shoulder dislocating heavy coolers.

wmyer- Brand's is open to about 7 pm. If you ask them how it was, they always give an honest accurate report.

Good luck