Walleye!
Man, I can't wait to feel that first *thump* on the end of my rod this weekend! The Lund is packed and I'm ready to head north to Gull Lake. I had hoped to get up there early on Friday to do a little crappie fishing, but it sounds like I won't be headed up until mid-afternoon. I expect to sit in traffic all evening! My friends over at Fox Sports North asked me to put together a quick list of favorite baits for opening weekend. I chuckled, because I have literally three baits and three baits only that I use the first few weeks of the season. My "go-to" baits are both for a slower presentation on opening day. Rod #1 will have a Northland Fire Ball 1/4 ounce jig tipped with a shiner minnow.
Northland Fire Ball Jigs...
I don't say that because Northland is a sponsor of ours. I say that because I've used Fire Balls the last five or six years and I am convinced they outfish other jigs. Chartreuse/green is still my favorite color. Rod#2 will have a simple snell rig. Years ago, I got tired of paying for pre-tied rigs, so I started tying my own. I use about a three foot section of 6 lb. fluorocarbon and tie on either a size 2 or 4 red hook using a snell knot. With the opener shaping up to be a good one with warmer water temps,
Snells
Rod #3 will have a big spinner in some goofy color. Tying spinners (some anglers call them crawler harnesses) has become an off-season hobby of mine.
Notice I Store Them On Foam Swim Noodles
Not only does it save money, but it's pretty fun. I like BIG #5 and #6 blades and lots of different colors of beads. I use quick-switch clevises so I can change blades.
Big Blades!
Give these three baits a try and see how it goes. Just don't call to complain when you have to spend all evening cleaning fish! Good Luck on opener and be safe!