Super User gimruis Posted January 30 Super User Share Posted January 30 Being that its now late January, and our fake winter looks to continue, it could be an early ice out. I know we can't legally target a bass until May, but there are other options/species to fish for until then.  Post your thoughts, success, failures, and anything else on your mind right here for 2024. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User MN Fisher Posted January 30 Super User Share Posted January 30 21 minutes ago, gimruis said: I know we can't legally target a bass until May, Unless we get open water before Feb 25 - season doesn't close until midnight of the 25th/26th 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted January 30 Author Super User Share Posted January 30 3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said: Unless we get open water before Feb 25 Â That's true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User MN Fisher Posted January 30 Super User Share Posted January 30 16 minutes ago, gimruis said: Â That's true! I'm at least gonna get the crappie rigs ready in the next couple weeks...I'm thinking my prediction for ice-out in A-Jay's thread is gonna be conservative. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Standard Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 I've gotta be in St. Cloud for work tomorrow, so I'll be checking out a few spots I usually launch from. Depending on the river flow and amount of ice on the shore I just may be getting the kayak out this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaskaCrank12 Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 I have a naive question - I have learned that bass season here in MN does not start until May 1st (thank you @gimruis) -- so if the water opens up, atleast enough to fish from the shoreline, what are we allowed to fish for here in MN at this time of year ? What would you recommend for baits/lures at this time of year ? I would be doing catch/release only. Thank you ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User MN Fisher Posted January 31 Super User Share Posted January 31 Any panfish (sunnies, crappie, perch) are fair targets...as are bullhead. Â Some of the lures I use for crappie/bluegill Rapala X-Rap 04 Rapala UL Shad 04 Z-Man Flashback Mini 1/8oz Creme Tiny Lipless cranks 1/10oz Then 1/8oz or less jigs with 1"-3" plastics suspended under a bobber are always a hit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted February 1 Author Super User Share Posted February 1 7 hours ago, WaskaCrank12 said: I have learned that bass season here in MN does not start until May 1st It’s actually May 11 this year. Not May 1.  @MN Fisher gave you some good ideas to try. Just keep the presentation on the smaller side. Using bass sized lures to target panfish isn’t gonna fly with the law. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User MN Fisher Posted February 1 Super User Share Posted February 1 14 minutes ago, gimruis said: It’s actually May 11 this year. Not May 1. Pretty much figure the Saturday of Mother's Day Weekend - so there's lots of lonely mom's that weekend. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishin Dad Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 I have a hunch it is going to be a very early ice out. Â I hope to be slinging for crappies and scanning lakes sooner than ever. Â 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted February 4 Author Super User Share Posted February 4 2 hours ago, Fishin Dad said: I have a hunch it is going to be a very early ice out. Â I hope to be slinging for crappies and scanning lakes sooner than ever. Â Looking at the forecast this week, the ice still out there is going to take a major hit. Temps near 50 until Thursday, and then rain for 2 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishin Dad Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 22 minutes ago, gimruis said: Looking at the forecast this week, the ice still out there is going to take a major hit. Temps near 50 until Thursday, and then rain for 2 days. That’s what I thought.  This could be a wild Spring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishin Dad Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 I think this winter has probably been good for the fish.  There has not been much pressure on the lakes this winter.  Don’t get me wrong, I do fish on the ice, but it might be a good break for the fish who have been pounded on since COVID!  I have also seen first hand how FFS gets limits on ice like crazy.  Thoughts? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted February 6 Author Super User Share Posted February 6 19 minutes ago, Fishin Dad said: Thoughts? No doubt live sonar cuts down on the amount of time required to find active fish. People would have to drill holes to look for fish before. Now they drill holes and look for fish with live sonar, and then move on those fish. Crappie and sunfish schools are especially vulnerable over main lake basins. Â There are usually two types of ice anglers: the mobile crowd in portables that move to stay on active fish, and the wheel house crowd that parks in one spot and waits. The wheel house crowd is lazy and drinks a lot of beer but they add an immense amount of pressure. This season has been a complete bust for that crowd because of a lack of safe ice. Those houses have been on dry land all winter. Â 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User MN Fisher Posted February 6 Super User Share Posted February 6 53 minutes ago, gimruis said: Those houses have been on dry land all winter. Actually - I did see one wheel-house on the ice on Tonka for about a week a bit ago. Wasn't a huge one, but still a 'towable'. Carman Bay - just south of where the Narrows Channel enters. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted February 6 Author Super User Share Posted February 6 10 hours ago, MN Fisher said: Wasn't a huge one, but still a 'towable'. My guess is that it was small enough to tow out there with an ATV or side by side. The full size ones are too heavy and need a truck or SUV to do it.  The other issue is that when you get a prolonged period of warm weather, there's lots of standing water on the ice too. And if there is a re-freeze period, the house is sometimes "frozen" into the ice. Then its a real pain in the rear to remove it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishin Dad Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 I have seen a couple crazy dudes pulling out Ice Castles with pickups on 12 inches of ice.  Can’t figure it out.  But the lakes have been very under fished this season.  I think it is awesome!!   2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Standard Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 On 2/5/2024 at 8:05 PM, Fishin Dad said: I think this winter has probably been good for the fish.  There has not been much pressure on the lakes this winter.  Don’t get me wrong, I do fish on the ice, but it might be a good break for the fish who have been pounded on since COVID!  I have also seen first hand how FFS gets limits on ice like crazy.  Thoughts?  Where's the setting on my livescope that apparently makes fish jump out of the hole? I haven't found it yet... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaskaCrank12 Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 Hello @MN Fisher @Fishin Dad @gimruis  It is looking more and more like an early ice out here in MN. MN Fisher and gimruis gave me some good info. on potential lure/baits. Now I have some questions about rods/reels for Crappie fishing. (I know this is a bass forum - but my hope is this is relevent to this being a MN Thread) It appears that small (1/8oz -- 3/32 -- 1/16) baits would work the best -- as of now I have the following rods/reels that might work (but I am looking for your feedback).  -St. Croix Mojo Bass - 6'10" ML-XF - rated for 1/8 to 1/2oz lures/baits -Shimano FX5 - 6' - M-F - rated for 1/8 to 1/2oz lures/baits (I got this rod at a yard sale)  For reels I have - -2500HG Stradic/2500 NASCI/3000 Sedona/2500RevoX and on the Shimano rod an R2000  Are any of these appropriate for fishing Crappie ? If I were to seek out a Crappie rod/reel do you have suggestions for me ? (since I would just be entering into the Crappie world I am ok getting mid/lower end gear to start with)  Thank you in advance for your time and expertise.     Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted February 7 Author Super User Share Posted February 7 I don't specifically have a "panfish" setup. Primarily because I don't do much of it. Usually for a couple weeks before the other seasons open in mid May.  I use a couple of my walleye setups. They are ML spinning rods/reels spooled with 6 pound mono. One is for a slip bobber setup and another is for small plastics. I use both of them each spring. Walleyes fight about the same as panfish, they're like wet socks coming in.  Those setups you stated would probably work fine. If you start to get really into panfishing you might consider buying a dedicated panfish setup. I can't help you with that, as I don't have one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User MN Fisher Posted February 7 Super User Share Posted February 7 I would say any of the 2500 reels on the Mojo 610MLXF would be your best bet  For new purchase: Rod - any decent UL to M power Reel - any decent 1000-2500 reel - 1000 on UL or L rods, 2000-2500 on ML or M rods Line - 4# on the UL to 8# on the M - mono or FC  1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishin Dad Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 3 hours ago, WaskaCrank12 said: Hello @MN Fisher @Fishin Dad @gimruis  It is looking more and more like an early ice out here in MN. MN Fisher and gimruis gave me some good info. on potential lure/baits. Now I have some questions about rods/reels for Crappie fishing. (I know this is a bass forum - but my hope is this is relevent to this being a MN Thread) It appears that small (1/8oz -- 3/32 -- 1/16) baits would work the best -- as of now I have the following rods/reels that might work (but I am looking for your feedback).  -St. Croix Mojo Bass - 6'10" ML-XF - rated for 1/8 to 1/2oz lures/baits -Shimano FX5 - 6' - M-F - rated for 1/8 to 1/2oz lures/baits (I got this rod at a yard sale)  For reels I have - -2500HG Stradic/2500 NASCI/3000 Sedona/2500RevoX and on the Shimano rod an R2000  Are any of these appropriate for fishing Crappie ? If I were to seek out a Crappie rod/reel do you have suggestions for me ? (since I would just be entering into the Crappie world I am ok getting mid/lower end gear to start with)  Thank you in advance for your time and expertise.     I actually have 4 or 5 ultralight panfish rods.  I really like them for casting light lures and fighting fish with paper mouths.  I actually use a 1/32 oz. Jighead and cast it.  You have to have a very light parabolic rod to do this.  I really don’t do a lot of bobber fishing for panfish.  It is just so much more fun to cast and jig for them.  I ordered 2 St. Croix panfish rods on a sale last year.  They are very nice for this application.  You can sure use any L or ML rod if you are not casting that light of lures.  1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User MN Fisher Posted February 7 Super User Share Posted February 7 19 minutes ago, Fishin Dad said: I actually have 4 or 5 ultralight panfish rods. I've only got one UL rod for panfish - an Okuma Celilo 762UL...sucker will toss a 1/32 jig with 2" plastic a country mile on 4# test Siege. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishin Dad Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 3 hours ago, MN Fisher said: I've only got one UL rod for panfish - an Okuma Celilo 762UL...sucker will toss a 1/32 jig with 2" plastic a country mile on 4# test Siege. 🤙  That’s a solid rod.  They do fling a 1/32 well. Siege is a solid choice too!!  I really think people fish too heavy for panfish most of the time.  I also find that color choices of both the Jighead and plastic make a huge difference on some lakes.  Let’s hope we get to fling some of these rigs sooner than later. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deephaven Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 On 2/5/2024 at 9:18 PM, MN Fisher said: Actually - I did see one wheel-house on the ice on Tonka for about a week a bit ago. Wasn't a huge one, but still a 'towable'. Carman Bay - just south of where the Narrows Channel enters. We had about 100 on Carson's but only for a week. Got warm and bam, gone. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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