Shiner supply

[Benfishin]

What is the shiner supply looking like in the Brainerd to Walker area?

[Ole #1]

I'm wondering the same thing?

[Gofishleech]

I talked to a bait shop about a week ago and though they were not stocking them yet he said they were or should be in good supply. That said, with lake water temps rising quickly and the early run they may be hard to keep alive, both at the bait shops and after purchase. I will normally use them thru much of June but im expecting to make the switch to leeches or crawlers much earlier this year.

I think the walleye fishing should be good on the opener but anglers may have to adapt to higher water temps with lakes in a much more "early summer" like pattern. Weed growth will also be more advanced this year and this will spread out the walleye population.

[Benfishin]

Thanks Gofishleech!

What are the water temps and will it be more of a leech bite this weekend?

[Gofishleech]

Thanks Gofishleech!

What are the water temps and will it be more of a leech bite this weekend?

Im not sure what they are at present, haven't been on Leech yet but from what im hearing its warming quickly. I would guess they will be low 60s. As for a leech bite, could be but I will be starting out with a jig and spot tail. Leeches could certainly work though but I love jigging a shiner. We will see what works but it will take some pretty slow fishing for me to rig a leech for the first 2 weeks of season. One has to find out what type of jigging they want also, could be dragging, snapping or ripping.

[Benfishin]

1/8 or 1/4 ounce fireball?

[Gofishleech]

1/8 if it can reach the bottom. Flat calm I may use a 1/16 and long line. I like the regular round jigs, I like the longer shank then the fire/ball. Never been a fire/ball fan.

[Ole #1]

1/8 or 1/4 ounce fireball?

Depends on the wind. How do you use a fireball with a shiner? I always get jigs up by the lake, they have the long shank and wide gap needed to hook a shiner properly.

[Bigfatbert]

There are many ways to hook a shiner.

No problem using a shiner and a fireball jig.

Just go through the mouth and up through the top of the head .

The lips of the shiner should be kissing the fireball jig head.

Mo need for the long shank , .

Alan

[Bigfatbert]

That's no need for long shank jig.

[Ole #1]

There are many ways to hook a shiner.

No problem using a shiner and a fireball jig.

Just go through the mouth and up through the top of the head .

The lips of the shiner should be kissing the fireball jig head.

Mo need for the long shank , .

Alan

Gotcha, they just don't seem to stay on the hook that well for me. I go in the mouth, out the gill, up through the stomach and out the back. The long shank wide gap jigs they sell in the area have always worked great for hooking them that way.