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Rainy Lake Smallies (US Side)


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I am coming to Rainy Lake May 31-June5th and will be staying at Island View. Our group is targeting smallies and pike. Any suggestions on location and lure type. We are all experienced anglers from MO. I am assuming the smallies will be prespawn/spawn and the northerns will be post spawn. I have heard good lures from curly tailed grubs to spinnerbaits and all in between. Would like to narrow down a little, otherwise will have to bring all my tackle and the boat will look like a Cabela's catelog.

Thanks

Bill

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By June 1 pike will be post-spawn by 6 weeks. I'd look for emerging cabbage with close access to deep water and cast spinnerbaits with gold-colored willow leaf blades. Pike will also be found foraging on walleyes on the reefs in 20-40'. We often catch the biggest pike if we're on walleyes.

Smallies will likely be pre-spawn yet but are starting to move into the shallows to spawn. I would suggest jigs and plastics, Husky Jerks and crawfish imitations.

Most importantly, bring the best raingear (and waterproof footwear) you can get your hands on. I wore a gore-tex suit yesterday and after 7 hours was only wet in about 5 places and damp in 3. The lake is named for good reason. And be very thankful you'll have a roof over your head at night and a place to dry out and you're not in a tent. No offense to tenters but I don't envy anbody in one this week.

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HI W.S.T.,

MY BROTHER IS UP HERE ALL WEEK FOR MY SONS GRADUATION & TO FISH, SO HE HAS BEEN HELPING ME, DO SOME POSTS. SO THANKS TO MY BROTHER UFFDA-PETE FOR HELPING OUT ON THE POSTS & YOU WILL NOTICE HIS POSTS AREN'T IN ALL CAPS, HE IS A MUCH BETTER TYPER.

SINCERELY,

FISHMIESTER

P.S. MY #1 SON IS NOW OUT IN THE REAL WORLD & GRADUATED...WHERE THE NAME FISHMIESTER WAS DERIVED FROM, IS FROM MY SON SHAWN...WHO IS ALSO FISHMIESTER-86 ON THE INTERNET., WHICH HE HAS USED FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS, WHEN I FIRST SIGNED ON WITH FISHING.MN, MY SON SIGNED ME IN & I LIKE THE NAME HE TOOK...THE 86, STANDS FOR HIS BIRTHDATE. JUST THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE FMERS A TID BIT.

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