Rainy Lake, Minnesota fishing report 5-23-12

Rainy Lake fishing continues to bend rods, strain wrists and wear out camera batteries!! Both water temperatures and levels are on the rise and big fish are seemingly ANGRY!! To start the season we worked stickbaits such as the Max Rap and the original Foating Rapala. We also laced up the Pulse-R’s from Custom Jigs and Spins casting rock piles. Frankly….our presentations have virtually stayed the same as last week, but our locations have changed slightly. Big Walleyes, Pike, Smallmouth and Crappies have been laced up in big numbers. Average days are producing 20-30 slot Walleyes. Most of these Walleyes are measuring between 20-26 inches. Eater sized Walleyes have slowly increased in numbers on our daily catehs, and are beginning to mix with the big girls being targeted. This week we’ve averaged around 8-10 “Eater Sized” Walleyes measuring 15-16 3/4 inches. Still MOST of the “Eyes” we target are running BIG!! PIke…YEP BIG. Smallies…BIG AND FAT. Crappies…..You guessed…BIG!!

Here are a few philosophies from your fishing guide. First off weather dictates our fishing locations. Anglers simply cannot get too caught up in last year, Last month or even YESTEERDAY. Each day presents a slightly different puzzle fisherman must efficiently put together. The truth of the matter is somedays are simply better fishing conditions than others. Fisherman need to realize in a given year there will be “hot bites” and tough conditions. Truly elite anglers will boat numbers of fish and BIG fish in adverse conditions. NOBODY wins each battle. If this is your goal as a fisherman we’re on the same page!!! Let’s start with what we do know. Pike have spawned, Walleyes have spawned, Some Crappies have spawned and others are still in the process and Bass are close.

Currently here at Rainydaze Guide Service we’re targeting PERCH!! Go figure. Truth of the matter is Perch are a prime early season treats for both Big Walleyes and Big pike. If anglers can effectively locate those fat yellow perch you are very close to unlocking the treasure chest of MASSIVE FISH!! The big girls are crushing baits!! The Perch are locating themselves amongst the many emerging bug hatches. These bugs are hatching out of rockpiles and mud. We continue to target areas that also holds emerging cabbage. The cabbage is just starting to leaf up and is visible in small clumps on your sonar. This cabbage often emerges out of a slight sandy bottom. Staying on current with “What’s on the menu” simply keeps you in the kitchen of the biggest and baddest fish. Remember fish will mobilize for a meal and then fall back into a resting position. It is our desire to locate fish that WANT to eat!!

Fish on this vast body of water are constantly moving in search of a meal. Anglers are constantly in movement of elite caliber fish. I’d estimate less than 10% of anglers are able to truly dial in early season Big fish patterns. Truly this can be a bit more difficult than say a mid-summer pattern. With this being said the rewards can be truly incredible. Fishing has been nothing short of spectacular. As always fishing has been TERRIBLE if lugging around in Right Field. There is a LOT of “RIGHT FIELD” on Rainy lake. Do your homework and refine your fishing presentations. Beyond the locations your fishing presentations will ultimately define your success. DAILY I fish with anglers that struggle to begin the day and most always master a new technique at day’s end. The rewards of dialing the right number put you in wheelhouse of the Big girls and your smiling face here on IDO!!

My best baits this week continue to be the Flake Green or Black and Silver “Max Raps” from Rapala.

My best Jig and Plastic for Walleyes continue to be the Pulse-R from Custome jigs and Spins in the Pro Blue with a purple and white 3/16 oz. head.

My best Jig and plastic for big slabs is the 1/16 oz. Flu-flu from Custom Jigs and Spins.

Big shout out to Frabill as we’ve added the Big Kahuna to our boat. TRULY THE MAN’S NET!! A large hoop net with a deep bag to efficiently capture and release big fish!! Safe for you and safe for the fish!!

Tip of the Week!! When working a Stickbait such as the “Max Rap” many anglers are simply focusing attention to how to work the bait. Truth of the matter is your rod of choice will help or hinder the overall success of the presentation. I am using the 6’10 Medium flex Fast action DSR NRX rod from Loomis. This rod enables me to deliver swift snaps and twitches to the bait. The elite caliber of this graphite blank delivers even the slightest peck from a Walleye at a distance. There is NO QUESTION the NRX rod from Loomis gives anglers a distinct advantage in bites like this.

Those of you visting Rainy lake this summer are encouraged to take an evening to visit Sha-Sha resort. Home of the “Lake Tea” and a truly mean plate of Nachos!! Sha-Sha resort is at the end of Hwy 11 offering simply breathtaking views of Voyageurs National Park. Beautiful resort with a classy bar and eatery.

Stop by and say hi to the staff at Thunderbird Lodge!! They serve a mean breakfast and frankly have some of the finest steaks in “Borderland”. Beautiful setting and great experience.

Also of course visit Rainy Lake Houseboats. Your floating condo’s on Rainy lake.