Early Spring Wiper

[TotalNoob]

For those who fish reservoirs where Wiper are stocked, what kinds of areas & water temps are you looking for when targeting Wiper in Spring?

 

I've researched Wipers and I understand their palegic nature. It seems like the best opportunities to catch them are in the Spring and Fall. It would seem they essentially spend the entirety of Summer chasing down hoards of gizzard shad in open water. 

 

I landed a handful last Spring and then a couple more in the Fall (boy did they fight hard in the Fall!). Unlike Bass or Walleyes though, I'm not really able to find much information or any kind of "pattern" on them for Spring/early Spring. 

 

For example, at about what water temp will they start to become active?

 

What kinds of areas of the reservoir will they seek out when they initially become active? 

[SWVABass]

Not positive but I’m guessing they follow the nature or stripers more, so maybe looking into those tactics. Sounds like you did well last year I would take that knowledge and build on it as well.

 

good luck in your hunt!

[TotalNoob]

45 minutes ago, Swbass15 said:

Not positive but I’m guessing they follow the nature or stripers more, so maybe looking into those tactics. Sounds like you did well last year I would take that knowledge and build on it as well.

 

good luck in your hunt!

Thanks - I guess I should clarify that the wipers I caught last year were all "on accident" - caught randomly while bass or walleye fishing (jerkbaits, topwater, swimbaits). 

 

I figure my best shot at actually "targeting" them is in the early Spring but I'm coming up short on pattern-like information about them.

[TOXIC]

Open water and they travel in big schools.  Personally, I watch for bait and birds.  

[Team9nine]

We have a couple reservoirs that they’ve stocked them in over the years. They tend to be a lot like their parents in that they usually make a false spawning run in spring up major creek arms and rivers feeding the reservoir. I’ve had my best luck in spring finding them on primary and secondary points on the lower end of the lake, or on flats adjacent to the main river channel up lake. Water temps are usually in the mid to upper 50s when this occurs. Down lake I like jerk baits; upriver I like lipless cranks.

 

[Yumeya]

On 2/21/2019 at 10:43 AM, TOXIC said:

Open water and they travel in big schools.  Personally, I watch for bait and birds.  

x2

 

I try to find them when they boil, if not boiling, I fish for them late night or super early mornings but have done 

better at evening.

 

[Williep99]

When I lived in Colorado and fished Kansas I would go around Mothers Day. Early mornings and evenings by rock dams with jerkbaits, hang on.

[claya]

A lot of good points have already been made. Where I fish for them evenings are best. Other times of day can be good if you find them schooling. Always look for birds and fish surfacing. They tend to relate to deep water but will push bait into nearby banks. When fish are busting if they're grouped together you can catch them every cast. If they're busting but they're scattered around randomly it will be a lot harder and you may only catch a few. The fish in my water seem to get very dialed on the size of shad and will ignore anything that doesn't match. 

[Bluebasser86]

Jerkbaits and rattle baits are by far my 2 best producers of spring wipers. Dams, wind blown banks and points are usually the best areas, and make sure to watch for birds like was mentioned. 

 

Bladed jigs are a big time sleeper bait for wipers as well if they're up shallow.