nguggs

I got out on Tonka Saturday morning for a few hours before most of the recreational traffic started. Sully's analysis was spot on to what we put together as well. We tried a couple different spots but almost all our fish came between docks in the grass in about 4-6 FOW. Deeper docks were less productive. They still seem to want it slow. Slow rolled belly weighted Gambler swimbaits and would stop them and start up again and have a fish on.

I went to college in Winona. Your best bet is going to be the river. Pool 7 (La Crosse area) is considered by some, to be one of the better bass fisheries in the country. Winona is on pool 6, which isn't too bad. If youre fishing from shore, there is access to some of the backwaters by the airport and Prairie Island Rd.

FYI, looks like the TW Tax Stimulus Sale is live. 10% as usual...

Where are some good smallmouth spots in SD? Ideally near Sioux Falls...

Got out on Tonka Sunday morning. Wasn't much busier than a normal Sunday for me. The launches are built for crowds. Stayed in Grays Bay as it was pretty calm, and water was warm. Water temps into the 60's in the shallow flats. Only caught two in 3 hours. Was pretty slow. Both on a natural colored squarebill. But, it was really nice to get out fishing again. The DNR at the launch said that a few others were finding Tonka slow so far, as well.

According to the new owner on his Twitter, they are trying to keep ~70 stores open. Very transparent in his feed on which stores specifically. But, in the deal for buying Gander, they did not purchase the merchandise in the store, so the merchandise is being liquidated, even for stores they are keeping open.

If you haven't checked him out yet, Siebert Outdoors is where I get all my jigheads. He may have something similar to what you are looking for. You can find him as a site sponsor on the right side of the page. Just go to the "Tackle Making" menu item for all his jigheads. If Mike doesn't have exactly what you are looking for, shoot him an email and he may be able to get you exactly what you need.

Even if the season doesn't start for a couple months, the Minnesota DNR has an Ice Out map for most lakes in the state. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html Metro and Southern MN lakes have just started.

Im very similar to Punch and Gimruis, chatterbait with paddltail in white or bluegill-ish pattern is a must for me. I also like a jig (archy) in green pumpkin, a topwater frog (either popper or standard), or a texas rig soft plastic. Finally, the one that has slayed for me this year, wacky rigged senko with the tail dipped in JJ's. Ill have to pick up some ribbon tail worms, never tried those yet. Punch, have any suggestions on brand or color?

Nathan, as gimruis said, getting out in off peak-hours is key. Went out yesterday on Tonka and put the boat in without a problem at like 7am. Only a few other boats at the lunch were all anglers. We took out around 11am, after waiting for 2 boats to launch ahead of us. (We can sometimes wait for up to 8, but that is Tonka) There was only one spot we wanted to hit that had a boat on it. No big deal, though. We try to stay off the main lakes and bays as much as possible to avoid the riff raff, which works pretty well. Smaller bays work well for us, and fishing is pretty good too. Yesterday was great in my book. Caught around 9 fish. Mostly LMB's, but also a Pike. Started with some moving baits, notable a chatterbait which caught our first bass and pike, The rest were all caught on a weighted wakey rig with a green pumpkin senko with the tail dipped chartreuse. Flipped it at docks and smoked 'em. Reeled in a few dinks, some good ones, and lost a potential new pb at the boat. Seems like they are relating to the shallow/shaded cover with the hotter temps as of late.

Just got back from a long weekend up north. A little southwest of the Brainerd area. Fished mainly in the mornings and evenings. Slower and smaller was key for me. Jerkbait bite was good. Caught a combination of bass and pike on a smaller, 2 treble, firetiger/perch neon pattern. Not sure of the exact color. Caught another one with a white/chartreuse chatterbait. Ended the trip last night targeting a bedding bass in about 2 feet of water. Ended up getting him on a texas rigged 6" white lizard. I didnt have a scale but was probably 3lbs. Seemed like they were really into the bright/white/chart colors this weekend, especially with the clear water.

First post here! Went out yesterday on the east side of Lake Minnetonka in the morning hours. It was slow for us, though. Only a single LMB. Tried a combination of topwater and spinnerbait early with no successes. Moved to the opposite side of the bay, where it was a little more breezy and got a strike or two on a white chatterbait. Slowed down with a bluegill patterned jig on a weedline at around 6-8 feet to catch the only fish. I have a feeling this guy was just cruising, though. I think I saw a fish on a bed right near the launch, but we already pulled the boat out so we didn't target.