Super User Scott F Posted May 22, 2014 Super User Posted May 22, 2014 My friend Paul and I are on a fishing trip in Northern Wisconsin. Last year, the ice went out on May 8. When we booked our trip for this year, we thought, "No way will the ice out be as late next year." Right. Ice was the same day this year. When we arrived, the lake water temp was 45 degrees, not ideal conditions for prespawn smallies. We've fished 3 different lakes since Saturday and today was the first day when water temperatures hit 50. So far, we have been able to scratch out some smallmouth, not the numbers we have come to expect, but with water temps this cold, I'm happy we've been able to catch fish. Nearly all the smallmouth have been caught on Lucky Craft Pointers in sizes 65 and 78. we've used several different colors. I use a light action, 7 foot, St. Croix Premier spinning, with 10lb Suffix 832 braided line. The largemouth bite has been nearly non-existant. We've caught a few in 10 feet of water when smallie fishing, and found one spot along a bank with overhanging trees that was loaded with dinks. The water will have to heat up before they get active. I've got 10 more days here. The weather should be warm and dry for the next few days which should bring the water temps up and really turn on the smallmouth. Paul with a big bass on our only really warm day. Me with an 18 incher. Spawning muskies. Paul with an accidental catch (quickly released) A Sandhill Crane watched us fish. Another 18 inch bass caught by Paul Me with a 19 incher. 3 Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted May 22, 2014 Super User Posted May 22, 2014 Keep pluggin away guys! Where are you guys at? I'm thinking you must be a ways up there a ways given those water temps. Quote
Super User Scott F Posted May 22, 2014 Author Super User Posted May 22, 2014 We are in the Onieda, Vilas county area. Quote
Super User MarkH024 Posted May 22, 2014 Super User Posted May 22, 2014 Nice fish and great report! Quote
Super User SPEEDBEAD. Posted May 22, 2014 Super User Posted May 22, 2014 It would be all over for me once I started seeing muskies. Nice fish man. Quote
Will Wetline Posted May 22, 2014 Posted May 22, 2014 Great pics, Scott! Did you bring blade baits and bucktail jigs? Try 'em both at that water temperature as well as the suspending jerbaits. Quote
Super User Scott F Posted May 25, 2014 Author Super User Posted May 25, 2014 The lakes have finally warmed up to the point where the smallmouths are getting active. Paul and I got a few big girls in the last couple of days and yesterday the numbers jumped up significantly. After days of getting 10 to 30 smallies between us, on Saturday, we had 150. Paul even got 2 on the same cast. This fish was only 18 inches, but had more girth than any fish I've ever caught. Ho-hum, another 18 incher. The numbers of bass we are catching today is just crazy. They are schooled up at each spot we stop. We may get 5 or 6, or we got as many as 40 on a spot. We even get them two at a time. Suspending jerkbaits are getting nearly all the fish. Smaller ones outproduce by a very wide margin. Today, I got 2 on the same jerkbait. 1 Quote
Super User Scott F Posted May 26, 2014 Author Super User Posted May 26, 2014 Great pics, Scott! Did you bring blade baits and bucktail jigs? Try 'em both at that water temperature as well as the suspending jerbaits. The only baits that are working, and they are just killing them, are very small jerk baits. I haven't talked to anyone who is catching many fish except me and my partner. If we even change to the same jerk bait in a bigger size, the bite just dies. There is a guy staying at the same resort who has been having a tough time catching smallmouth. I gave him one of the baits I use, and he got 3 fish on his first 4 casts. Quote
KYBassin' Posted May 27, 2014 Posted May 27, 2014 Can anyone in Northern WI/MN tell me if they have seen signing of largemouth spawning? Thanks Quote
Super User Scott F Posted May 27, 2014 Author Super User Posted May 27, 2014 No sign of largemouth spawning, does not look like they are even close. Just saw the first smallmouth beds (no fish on them) in Northern Wisconsin. Quote
KYBassin' Posted May 27, 2014 Posted May 27, 2014 No sign of largemouth spawning, does not look like they are even close. Just saw the first smallmouth beds (no fish on them) in Northern Wisconsin. Thanks Scott. Also, I enjoyed following your trip. Thanks for sharing. 1 Quote
plumworm Posted May 27, 2014 Posted May 27, 2014 LM usually spawn before SM on those N Wisconsin waters. Quote
KYBassin' Posted May 27, 2014 Posted May 27, 2014 LM usually spawn before SM on those N Wisconsin waters. Are you sure? I always thought SM spawn at cooler temps than LM. Quote
Super User Scott F Posted May 28, 2014 Author Super User Posted May 28, 2014 LM usually spawn before SM on those N Wisconsin waters. I never heard that before. On the lake I spend my time on, the smallies are always ahead of the "greenies". Quote
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