Another opener has come and gone for the Iowa Great Lakes.Many anglers,myself included,were anxious to try our luck on ole’ marble eyes.Joining me on opening day this year were Pat Ward and Pat Brannan,both of Omaha.These fine gentlemen wanted to try to get a few smallmouth while we were on the water.For the better part of the morning we hit hotspot after past hotspot with zero fish.Although we seen a few big fish the smallies had lock jaw.West Okoboji was very clear and the fish spooky.We could see fish as far down as 15′.With this plan not working we went to East Okoboji to see if the fish were a little bit more angler friendly for us.Here is Pat Ward with a nice white bass off of East.
We spent a few hours working different live bait tactics.We found the combo of a jig/minnow was the ticket.We boated alot of sub-legal walleyes with only Pat Ward boating a legal eye.Here is his fish.
I had a great day on the water with these 2.They were very fun to fish with and great anglers.I hope to enjoy future outtings with them in the future.Here is Pat Brannan with a very nice perch-great job Pat!!
Sat. morning I had a few hours on the water by myself before I had to pick up the Pat’s.I worked a shallow water hump on East Lake that I call the Hale hump as it seems I’m the only one that is ever fishing it on a regular basis.In a short time I caught 4 crappie,3 bull gills,a few small eyes and a 4#12 oz. catfish.It was very fun.I went back to this hump early Sunday morning with my best friend Tom Ashley and we caught 5 smallmouth off of it.Here are a few crappies.
Ryan Hale
Thanks for the report Ryan
I always enjoy hearing about the IA. Great Lakes. Too bad I live so far away
Sounds like things went well at least the weather wasn’t to bad for you guys. I know in the past some openers have had awful weather. Nice to hear you all caught a few but a few more would have been great. Hope your first trip went well Ryan good luck with the Business!!!
Todd
Sounds like you had fun Ryan. I think we need a little more consistent weather to get the larger eyes going. Have you heard anything about the West Okoboji night bite yet???
Nice report Ryan! Looks like you STILL have froggy weather there. I’ll trade cold for froggy any day!
We are going dry again…need some WARM rain!
Hey Ryan… How do you get those smallmouth to bite this time of year? I imagine they’re pretty lethargic in the cold water. I’m heading over there next week, any tips or tactics?
Wade,the water is so clear on West right now ,your going to need wind or low light conditions to have luck on West right now.I think the big eye did come off of West for the opener contest.
I would work Spirit for your smallies,plastics or jig/minnow combos in the rocks.Work slow.
Ryan Hale