“In The Smiley Barn”
I-94 & Hwy 83 * Delafield, WI 53018
(262) 646-2218
www.dicksmithslivebait.com
Friday, May 1st
Water temperatures on the area lakes were reported to be in the low to mid 50’s. Warm days ahead will raise the surface water temperatures. Mother Nature has not been on our side recently, but the long range forecast looks favorable ! This Saturday, May 3rd is Wisconsin’s Game Fish opener!
Crappies are in Pre-Spawn mode. They will be found suspended above weeds in 15 feet of water or less near warm water areas. A small or large fathead or rosy red minnow baited on a gold Tru Turn hook suspended under a small pencil or Rocket bobber works best. Casting a 1/32oz hair jig such as a Chicken Jig or jig and plastic combo such as a Dick Smith’s Panfish Grub, Cubby Mini Mite, Gulp minnow, or Bobby Garland plastic will also be effective.
Bluegills will be found in warmest water locations. They will usually be found in shallow, dark bottomed bays, channels, and marsh areas. Northern ends of lakes generally warm fastest, so concentrate on these areas first. Weeds, piers or wood will also hold gills. Afternoon and Evening hours are the best time to target gills when the water will be warmest. A small 1/64th or 1/32nd ounce jig or #10 hook baited with a spike, waxworm, redworm, or small plastic tail will work best. A black ant fly, bluegill bug or a Dick Smith’s Panfish Grub baited with a wax worm also works excellent. Suspend these under a clear casting bobber or Rocket bobber and make long, accurate casts for best results.
Largemouth bass are in pre-spawn mode. Smaller males will be cruising around shallower, warm water areas during afternoon hours. Larger females will be found along drop-offs, points, or weeds outside warm water spawning areas. A nightcrawler on a split shot rig or suspending a large golden shiner under a bobber will be the best choice for live bait. SLOWLY retrieving Dirty Jig Swim Jigs, Yamamoto Senkos, Keitech Paddle Tails, and jig and trailer combos will attract bass. Casting Lipless Crankbaits, Jerkbaits, Chatterbaits, or Spinnerbaits will trigger reaction strikes.
Smallmouth bass will be in pre-spawn patterns. Look for the smallies suspended in deeper water around points and rocks. Small Chubs, Small Suckers, Jumbo Tuffies, Nightcrawlers, or Leeches fished on a hair jig or live bait rig will work well. Casting Swim Jigs, Keitech Paddle Tail Swimbaits, Suspending Jerkbaits, Spinnerbaits, Blade Baits or Draggin Tubes will also produce.
Musky fishing should be good this weekend. Small Bucktails, Jerkbaits, small Twitch Baits, or smaller rubber baits are good baits for spring muskies. A Medium to Large sucker rigged on a quick strike rig will also work great. Target drop-offs or shallow emerging weed beds for best results.
Northern pike will be very active during opening weekend. Smaller, more aggressive pike will be found near shallower structure and baitfish. Bigger pike will be found along drop-offs. A large golden shiner, sucker, or chub baited on a hair jig or circle hook rig will work best. Casting Mepps Spinners, Spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits and Crankbaits will also produce pike.
The Rock River in Jefferson and Fort Atkinson has produced Post-Spawn Walleyes, and a few Catfish. A 1/2 oz to 3/4 oz. Hair Jig or Leadhead Jigs dressed with a large leech, minnow, or a 3” to 4” plastic tail such as a Moxy, Pulse R, Sauger Slayer or Paddletail produced. Anglers have done good using a Dick Smith Naked Three Way rig with either a streamer fly, floating jig, or #4 hook baited with a Large Fathead, or Rosy Red minnows. You will need a ½ to ¾ oz Pencil Weight. Blade Baits, Rippin Raps, and casting jig and plastic combos have also produced.
Whitebass and Yellowbass are starting to show up in the Rock, Wisconsin, and Wolf Rivers. Anglers do best using a Dick Smith Naked Three Way Rig with a streamer fly baited with a large fathead minnow. Casting a Jig & Twister Combo, Small Spinner, Paddle Tails or a jig baited with a minnow or nightcrawler will also be effective.
Catchable Size Trout have been stocked in local ponds in our area. Lower Genesee (2,250 Rainbow) & Ottawa Lake (4,000 Rainbow) will have Trout stocked by Opening Day. A small or large fathead baited on a gold Aberdeen hook under a Slip Bobber works best.
Coho Fishing on Lake Michigan has been good out of Racine and Kenosha.. Orange Dodgers with Hammerflies Peanut Flies, Screamin Drags Custom Thin Fins and Small Spoons for the Cohos are working the best.
Please practice Catch and Release for the Future of Fishing.
Good Luck!
Becky Smith & Mike Smith
Please practice Selective Harvesting for the Future of Fishing.
Please visit the WI DNR website for rules on possession, bag, and minimum size limits.
Good Luck!
Mike & Becky Smith