After finishing my report on the Slabs here on Rainy Lake I noticed something that really should have been given a little more attention. The bite was tougher for slabs as it was very cool this morning. Our honey holes which had been producing loads of fish had either fish turned off or moved out. That is always a tough determination.
We made several moves seeking similiar structure with favorable wind. I think we were on Plan C or D. We literally earned a limit of slabs during a tough morning bite. In all honesty I never saw another fish caught by another angler who we bumped into on occassion. They all seemed to be fishing similiar structure as us, but with different presentations. During a period of seemingly inactivity for panfish it is VITAL that your “Crappie producer” is in play. We lit up the big fish with Ratso’s and flu flu’s while every other angler we witnessed were pitching jigs and minnows.
Yep you bet jigs and minnow will catch crappies, but often times panfish are unable to resist a larvea/shrimp looking snack. Maybe that is what they are feeding on that particular day??? Couldn’t tell ya as the water was toooooo cold fo me to dive to the bottom for a look for myself. Fact of the matter was there were a lot of empty livewells at the landing and a whole lot of fisherman heading for some Ratso’s. Fishing these baby’s under a float with a little ripple on the water or a gentle pull and sit retrieve is lights out!!!
Often times when guiding I’ll have customers question the Livebait/artificial theory. Well there is no doubt artificials will outfish livebait hands down during certain times. This is one of those times. For one if you can thread a fresh water shrimp on your hook or get yourself a can of half grown fly’s you may have an argument, but if not…. Yep your mimicking a different snack. It would be like turning down a fresh baked cookie for me. Even if I’m full I’m still gonna eat it. These Crappies were turned off this morning for many anglers. Maybe it was the cold or the shifting winds, full stomaches??? WHO KNOWS!!! But this morning 24 SLABBERS still had room for glow Ratso’s!! Crappie fishings “Fresh baked Cookie!!!!” GETCHYA SOME!!! RATSO’S=FISH FRY’S
the ratso is so dangerous in every situation!!! I never leave home without em. Nice report and good to see some slabs being caught
Thanks for the report Chris. Have you guys tried the Ratso in the winter yet for crappies? Shrimpos where my main bait last winter. It sure was nice not having to mess with minnows. Shrimpos are just a vertical version of the Ratso. What else is very nice about these jigs is being able to change plastic color on them. It seemed to me for the most part the fish would key in on the action of the lure but some time changing a body color would really get the fish going.
I use Ratso’s, finky’s, shrimpos, diamond jigs, gill pills… All during the winter. Yes the Ratso’s are Slab destroyers fishing during our hard water period. The Diamond jigs and Gill pills are lights out packed with Euro’s. The Ratsos and shrimpos are a must have for any serious panfish guy. I hope the guys who I met at the landing yesterday had better luck the next day after re-rigging with this line of legalized crappie drugs.