Tip of the Day- When to use live bait (Feb 5th 2011)
Most folks start thinking once they since spring coming, you should just go directly to jigs and forget the minnows cause the bite is going to be pretty good. This actually will come true with some time passage, but there is a time (like right now) when it's alllllllllmost time for that jig only but not quiiiiite time to give up that minnow yet. What I'm speaking of, is right now, right before the spawn, while the fish are in migration mode, and the water is basically just starting to get warmer as days go by. Right now is a good time to continue using those minnows. Although the fish are migrating toward spawning grounds, they are still relating to structure along the way and if you work it, you will be successful using methods such as the ole Kentucky rig. With that style of fishing, you can cover quite a bit of water and you can even bring it up to other depths with that method to pick up some hungry suspended fish who are waiting for the weather to change and the springtime activities to commence.:eek:
Tip of the day is this. Don't forget that those fish are still just a tad bit slow from living all winter in low 40's water temp around here and although ready for some meals will still be a tad slow yet going after it. The minnow is great for this time period. Once the spawn is on, and water temps have climbed on up into the upper 50's,or low 60's you can fish anything you like then as they will hit everything that moves. Hands Clapping Lets go fishing.:)
