A SPRINGTIME DOUBLEHEADER

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It may sound like baseball but I'm talking about fishing, specifically Crappies and Smallmouth Bass. Shortly after ice out, when the water starts to warm up the Crappies and the Smallmouth Bass will go on a feeding binge. The nice thing about fishing this time of year is that you don't have to be on the water at the crack of dawn. You can wait until the sun comes up and warms the water before you start to fish. Some area lakes have both Crappies and Smallmouth and most times it's just a short drive between lakes to fish for both species. If the lake you start to fish in the morning has any cribs or brush shelters, this is the place to start. Generally, the D.N.R. places these in 10 to 14 feet of water. If you can get a map of the lakes you intend to fish this will help you in finding these structures. You can use your electronics to find these spots but go over them slowly so you don't spook the Crappies. Throw out a marker buoy and anchor up wind of the crib.

I like to start out fishing with slip bobber rigs and fathead minnows. Most people use the smaller crappies minnows which can be a mistake. At this time of the year the Crappies are hungry and aggressive and will bite the bigger minnows. Also, using the bigger minnows helps to keep the Bluegills and Rock Bass from biting. The fish cribs are usually 8 feet by 8 feet and the Crappies will generally suspend over the tops of them. When setting the depth for my slip bobbers I don't go farther down than 5 feet. I like to use red or gold hooks. With the sun shining it gives an added flash which helps to attract the crappie. I find that if there is a slight breeze it helps give the minnows some action but if it gets too windy the bite turns off. This is not always the case if there is downed wood or structure on the shore where the wind is blowing in bait fish will be blown into this cover and many times the Crappies will follow. The second place to find springtime Crappies is in last years weeds. If the lake you are fishing has any shallow bays on the north side of the lake this should be a spot to check as the sun warms these bays first. I like to check the deepest weed edges first and then move in closer until I find the fish. Just like fishing over the cribs you only have to set your slip bobbers down two or 3 feet in five to 8 feet of water.

When fishing over cribs, you don't have to anchor all the time. You can fish with artificial baits such as tube jigs and small inline spinners. Cast out, count down and start to reel the bait in. Many times the Crappies will hit the bait as it falls. If the line goes slack, reel up and set the hook. Often, the color of the tube jigs you use can make a difference. Start out with Pink, Pink and White, Chartreuse, or Chartreuse and Black. Many times you will start to catch fish on one color and then they will quit biting. Don't move. Just change colors and often they will keep on biting. I believe it is actually easier to catch Crappie at this time of the year than when they are spawning. You don't have fish in the reeds or bulrushes which can be difficult if the wind is blowing. As always, but most importantly at this time of the year limit the number of fish you keep. It is fairly easy to tell the females and males apart only keep the males if possible.

If you go to a lake that has both Crappies and Smallmouth or if you are fishing for Crappies and they quit biting there is another option. Smallmouth Bass. These fish also start to feed as the water warms up and can be easier to catch. I should point out here that many people feel it is unethical to fish for Smallmouth Bass that are guarding their spawning beds. However, shortly after the ice goes out smallmouth bass are in the pre-spawn and will be out on the first drop off from their spawning beds. Many lakes in our area have downed wood or rock and gravel in 10 to 12 feet of water. This is one place to start to fish. Small jigs with larger tubes or reaper style tails will work and will allow you to cover more water. Often, you will catch Smallies on jigs and minnows while fishing for Walleyes in shallow water. They aren't spawning but are feeding on bait that is attracted to the downed wood. Another spot to try is rock humps or points. If the wind is blowing across a rocky point, the Smallmouth will be on or near these points waiting to ambush bait fish. Spinner baits or shallow running crank baits will work. White or Chartreuse spinner baits or natural colored crank baits, orange or Crawfish colored work will. Remember to work these baits slowly.

The fish won't chase much because of the cold water. With tubes or reaper tails I use Black, Smoke,or Pumpkin. Either plain or with colored flake will work well. 1/8 ounce or 1/4 ounce jigs in Orange, Red or Chartreuse work best. The season for Smallmouth is catch and release until the third Saturday in June. If you catch a trophy Smallmouth keep it in the net in the water until you are ready to take pictures and get it back in the water as soon as possible.

This has done a great job in improving the fishery it is now possible to catch a 6 or 7 pound Smallmouth. The time in spring varies when this fishing starts. In most years it will be the second or third week of May but in 2004 we had a cold windy spring and the fishing for Crappies and Smallmouth was good into the second week of June.

I hope you can enjoy this rewarding type of fishing.

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