Tips for Early Season Bass and Walleye!

When targeting Bass and Walleye in the spring, always try to remember that light is right. We spend most of our time fishing in Northwest Ontario and Manitoba and in the early open-water season slow presentations with light tackle seem to work the best. My favorite technique for Walleye is using a 3" to 4" soft plastic bait like the Trigger X Minnow, on an 1/8oz or 3/16oz jig. Work around shallow basins, bays, and shorelines in ten feet of water or less. Fan-cast all around the boat, and when you locate structure or find a pocket of fish, stop and jig for a few minutes. The fish are spread out this time of year so try not to jig for too long they are not schooled-up like they are in the summertime. As for Smallmouth Bass, my favorite lure is the XRap. I use it in open-water all season long. Early season I use the smaller sizes with a slow retrieve and once the water warms and the fish become more active I can experiment with size and speed. Colour of choice is always Albino Shiner if I am fishing in my local waters. After a long, cold winter here, I can't wait to get out on the open-water. Opening day in Manitoba is just over a week away and we might be able to go ice fishing here if the weather doesn't improve soon, there will be a very late ice-out this year!