Early Spring Fishing (Prep)

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I don't know about you guys but I am ready for the warmer weather. It's funny, before I started fishing I used to look forward to the colder months because I couldn't stand the heat, but now I can't see myself sitting indoors for months on end to stay out of the heat - I need to be in or on the water. I've been spending the last few weeks watching the weather, keeping an eye on the nightly lows to find a good time to get the boat (which my dad and I lovingly call the Pork & Cheese) ready for the water. Thankfully, next week seems to be showing signs that we are finally getting out of the freezing temperatures, with only two days getting as low as 31.

Last week I went through and planned out what I want to use, and the more time that goes by the more I understand why people have more than one rod of the same action/power. Currently I have one each of medium, medium-light, medium-heavy, ultralight, and light (which is my daughter's), and each is rigged up in a way that the rod and reel support what put on it. I can see benefit to having two mediums or medium heavy rods though, so I can try out something new, like a lipless crankbait, and keep something I'm comfortable with also rigged, like a Whopper Plopper.

This will be the first spring that I go into the fishing season with some real knowledge and experience, so I've already planned out a few spots I want to hit and some new and familiar lures I want to use. For spring:

  • UL - Rigged with a 1/10oz white mushroom jighead which I plan to rig up some soft plastic hellgrammite or swimbaits
  • L - As always, rigged for live bait, but also ready for a split shot rig
  • ML - Small, black and gold suspending crankbait. If this doesn't work, will switch to a spinner or spoon, but want to try something new
  • M - As always, this is rigged for dropshot, and ready to switch to wacky
  • MH - Starting the season off with a gold lipless crankbait, 1/2oz

 Just like last year, after every trip I will evaluate what worked, what didn't work, what I might try differently, and plan for the next outing. I do expect to catch a lot more fish this year, but I also fully expect to learn a lot more this year. It's going to be very exciting, and I can't wait to get my feet wet.

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