March has been terrific here on the shores of Rainy Lake. The temperatures have been warm, not much wind and mostly rain instead of snow. So Far. March can be a terror as the weather patterns change. Things get very unstable and unpredictable. I often have clients ask me when the ice will go out on Rainy? I don't dare to guess basing my predictions upon the March weather. It could dump two feet of snow, or drop to 30 below tomorrow. Yet with the mild temps. and nice weather one can't help start to prepare for spring. And spring fishing. Get your reels oiled up and the line changed out now. Check the eyes on your rods, look for line cutting nicks or missing parts. Sand the cork handles, it makes an older rod look new again and helps your grip. Organize your tackles and toss out some of the old rusty stuff that accumulates and takes up space in the tackle box. Replace a few of your favorite baits and perhaps pick up some new potential secret weapons for spring. Tackle shopping is just about as much fun as fishing itself. A new fishing lure has to catch us before it catches a fish.
What are some of my favorite baits and techniques for spring. I won't say much but here are a few tips. If you want to fish for big spring post spawn pike find baits that can be thrown into the deepest weeds in shallow water. Big Plastic minnow baits rigged weedlessly are great. Pick up some Spoons, weedless models or replace the treble hooks with a single hook. Throwing buoyant brightly colored minnow or stick baits can really turn on post spawn pike. They can be presented quickly, dead sticked, twitched or as a topwater bait. Smallies eat them up too.
Finally, give your favorite fishing guide a call. Just talk to them, it will make their day and perhaps convince you just how important that fishing trip you've been putting off really is. Screw the economy and your backstabbing, cheapskate boss, take back part of your life and get out on the water! If we let the media and corporations run everything, we would never leave the house.
