Top_Heavy's World

The spring bite has been hit and miss, but as the water has been warming it is getting steadier. We have been using small tube jigs at all depths and Minnows below bobbers have been hot lately. All of the fish have been hitting best at 12 to 18" below a bobber. The water is dirty due to the rain, so the fish seem to see best closer to the surface. We have been seeing fish working right up against the rocks and a 1/16 oz weedless head and a slider grub have proven fantastic. We have managed a few walleye with this combo as well. Today was a great day and we finally found some catfish.

This big 10 lb plus monster was caught on 4 lb mono and a 1/32 oz head with a minnow about 14" below a bobber. The crappie have been in large schools, when one line goes, they are all getting hit in a matter of seconds, this is great action, but with 2 children under 6, that is a little too much action for one person and many of the bites were lost.

Doubles and triples were common as the schools of 9 1/2" to 11" fish moved up the shores. My daughter broke off another really big channel cat and my son broke off a nice bass. Ironically my son caught a bass on the next cast and that had his jig head in it's mouth from only minutes before! We got that hook back and released the fish unharmed.
Spring fishing is some of the best action and kids need action to stay interested. I love eating crappie and a couple of hours on the water with my little ones makes for some great sping memories, get out there and make some of your own.