I’m up on Friday and Saturday night. Staying on the Southwest side of the lake with a group of guys. I wanted to be on the water last night with the moon up like it was. It was hard being home.

Ryan

Wow! Lots of information. I wound up picking up some “Painters Paint Markers” in about 5 different colors. I went with an orange, red, dark green, and 2 blacks.

I applied a base coat to 2 different lures that I wasn’t fond of the color scheme last night. I did one in the orange, and one in the red. I would not say that they are super quick drying. They had dried by morning, and I was pretty happy with the results.

Air brushing them and putting clear coat lacquers sounds pretty cool and would give you a much more professional looking product.

Thanks for all the information. I’ll try to post a picture of how some of my attempts turn out. I’m just mainly trying to get some of the darker colored baits that work well in the low light or no moon conditions.

So far I only found 3 of the Lazer Craw from Smithwick. I bought all 3 when I finally found some.

Ryan

Nobody’s talking on any of the sites. I thought there would be more excitement and guys chatting it up a bit. I guess after opener they’ll have something to talk about.

You didn’t say where your going out of which can make a bit of a difference. Overall though on opener a 3/8 Jig with a minnow is the way to go and to anchor up. Some of the guys are saying elsewhere that a frozen shiner on a Jig is the way to go. I’m already rigged up with a gold Prizmatic eye 3/8 jig from Northland, and on another rod I’ve got a green 3/8 prizmatic eye from Northland. I’ve got the 2 inch stinger hooked on both as well. I’ll switch back and forth between the 2 and figure out what is working.

Generally when fishing with a jig in the early season plan on anchoring up.

As for location if your fishing out of the Rainy River I would recommend the deeper area in 4 mile bay which will be apparent because it will have plenty of boat fishing that area. Around the gap between Pine Island and Sable Island(Canadian)would be good and will hold boats. Just try not to anchor right in the channel. Out of the gap would also be good and along Pine Island. Out in front of the Morris Gap can be really good as well which is at the Western end of Pine Island.

With water being low do not try to cut over through the Morris Gap coming out of the Rainy River. Go out the Main Gap between Pine and Sable and then work your way over. My understanding is that water levels are 3 feet low this year.

To be honest just fish some with the other boats and figure out what is working for you for depth and presentation. If the weather is stable and you can get out on the lake if the wind/weather cooperates it should be a decent opener. The key is big lake and big water so be smart and be safe.

Ryan

I checked both weather underground and weather.com. None are stating 20 mph winds that I could find. It is looking like South to SouthEast winds though mostly until Sunday.

Ryan

Let’s be careful about speculating! His family or a friend might read this and take offense. A 1000 different things could have happened.

I forget what the percentage is but it’s pretty high that they find fisherman’s fly’s open after they’ve drown. A fisherman/boater is at his most vulnerable when trying to pee over the side of the boat.

I saw a post on this once where they discussed all kinds of different safer techniques for urinating while in the boat. Some we’re pretty good ideas.

Ryan