Opener

As opener approaches i cant stop thinkin about it. whos going to winni for the big weekend? what tactics will you use to target the eyes with this late start to spring? Ice must just be getting out up there… it sounds like a recipe for a great opener. what is everyone else thinkin? cant wait to hit the water Saturday morning

I won’t be up there until the Thursday after opener, but I would be pitching a light jig and a minnow on the windy side of the lake. Last year was an off year because the fish were spread out between the shallows and mid-lake structure. This colder spring should still have majority of them crammed in the shallows. I look forward to this trip every year.

The ice was actually off before Mille Lacs. We had that huge snow fall on new years and insulated the lake pretty good. They had a great year at the nets and I think they were done on or just after Easter.

As for opener I am going to find what shore the shiners are on and work those areas. Usually an 1/8oz jig and shiner. They are talking a lot rain this weekend and next week which will warm up the lake and should help bring the shiners back in the shallows. If I have as good as opener as last I will be happy

I’ll be there too as always. Fishing shallow with a long shank and a shiner.

I will be there…..either rigging or jigging a shiner…..we always have 4 or 5 boats in our group and some of the guys only fish walleyes once or twice a year so all they want to do is rig all day…..convinced a couple of them to pull cranks at night a couple years ago and did fairly well…..now I just have to convince them to try and pitch some jigs shallow. Pitching is a fun way to catch them when they are shallow. How shallow of water will you guys target?

it really depends on water temps, with this hot sticky weather im thinkin it might push them a little deeper. my game plan is start shallow pitchin a shiner n a green jig, prob 7fow n just slowy move deeper tell we find them. Last year we had a great bite on the main lake shore lines bout 15fow draggin a lyndy with a short four foot snell n a leach. I dont think it will be the same this year tho, last year was not a typical opener… this year pitchin a jig all day good luck to everyone!

If there’s a nice chop I’ll start in the 7-10ft range.