This week we have been chasing a lot of panfish in the metro, but also bass and pike. Small jigging spoons have been very effective… namely the Clam Pro Tackle Pinhead Pro in the 1/32oz size, no bait. Allows us to chase the fish and be efficient. We also did well on smaller tungsten jigs a few days because the bite turned a little negative. We fished size 12 Clam Pro Tackle Drop-Kick and Swirl Drop jigs. I put a Silkie on mine with a couple maggots and coaxed a lot of negative bluegills into biting!!
The fish seem to still be relating to the edge of the basins…at least the larger fish. With the abnormal conditions, we’ve seem all sorts of locational changes. Many fish are relating to the basins, but they are not our just roaming the middle as much, but rather up along the edges of the basins in 12-20 feet of water. The big shallow push hasn’t happened yet, I think the fish are as confused as we are.
Right now, it’s all about safety. The ice is deteriorating fairly quickly and I don’t think we’ll be on the ice in the Metro Area much longer—as sad as that is to say the first week of February. Hopefully things bounce back and we can salvage more of the season though. You just need to drive a little ways north for the time being!
Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson Outdoors
www.mattjohnsonoutdoors.com