Smokinal

45-48 in the spring just after ice out. I have a spot figured out that's the most consistant bite of the year; numbers are absolutely ridiculous. From there it doesn't matter to me. But I look forward to that spring bite all winter long.

Uuuggggghhh....I wish I hadn't seen this

Good for you man!! Can't wait for early reports!

I didn't read all the replies, so forgive me if I'm doubling up; but to me, the choice to use spinning vs BC is the type of bait you are throwing, not species of fish you're targeting.

I'm so sorry to hear. Hopefully you find strength in friends

While driving home from the lake....

They’re a strange breed up here! As well as those who fish for them this early! ?

Onit!!

^^^May I ask you the procedure for this?

Oh my! I'll look into that! This one would be well worth it.

I've heard that their bills are a weak spot but never broke one before....until this morning. We were fishing a cove that still had some ice on it and I had just mentioned to my buddy not to let is 110 hit the ice as their bills break easily. What do I do just a few casts later....break a bill off a limited run color...Al Kin Gil These are impossible to find. Can the bill be replaced? Anyone know of someone I can send it to that has done this? Anyone have an Al Kin Gil they would part with?

We're out!! Went out this morning. Chilly start and still some ice over a cove we fish in the spring that produces very well, as you can see in my buddy's background. Jerkbaits fished as close to that ice as you can got me 8 this morning. Hope everyone is well and get's out soon!

^^^What a freak of a fish right there man!! Congrats

Thank you; I hope you're all out soon and safe!

My home lake main lake opened up yesterday. Coves are still a little iced in but that should be gone by Friday. We have rain coming Thursday and Friday so looks like I'm out Saturday and Sunday!!

I agree; we are very spoiled. You hear of anglers in other parts of the country who are happy with 4-8 bites during a 6-8 hr day. I'm not sure what I would do....

You're about the same stage we are at in Maine...maybe a day or 2 behind. Edges are opening here and ice is pretty black at this point. I'm hoping for April 2nd or 3rd

Thanks for sharing! I, too, could feel the excitement!

For me, it depends on the bait. Some, like the HJ, don't cast well so I throw those on a spinning rod with 20lb braid to 10lb fluoro leader. Others with a good weight transfer system that cast good, I can throw on a baitcaster. Those will have 20lb braid to 12lb fluoro leader.

A few years ago we were fishing jerkbaits in the spring in 3-7'. Fishing was good but the wind really picked up and the bite shut right off. After a while, I let the wind blow us up into 1-2' of water where you really couldn't fish a jerkbait "how you're supposed to". Well we were having a hard time fishing, catching weeds etc... On one cast, I cast out, and picked out an overrun, and had one on when I picked up the slack. I thought....hhmmmm....cast again, didn't reel or twitch the bait, just let it drift on my line in the wind, and got another. My buddy started doing the same thing...just "drifting" his jerkbait and we ended up hammering them for a good hour with this crazy technique.

Was thinking the same thing....I'm jealous

If I can go....I go

My wife and I are looking at lakefront homes now actually. Although I'd have a dock, I wouldn't keep my boat there. There's too much good water in Maine to be pinned to just one. We just love water and want to wake up looking at it.

My Menderchuck has 2 lake cameras on it. They are in 2 lakefront owner's homes and I can control them from my house; very cool. I check them all year but it's very convenient in spring and fall where I can check conditions any time I want. Ice has been pretty white up until a day ago, now it's noticeably darker. I give it 2 weeks and I'm in; which is sooner than I thought, given the cold winter we had. Time to get out in the garage and get things organized, boat ready etc... 12Pound, I hear ya; that can be a busy time for sure and we all know what has to come first. I hope all goes well with your closing and moving!