“March Madness” is not just a college basketball theme. “March Madness” can also apply to all the anglers who are fired up this time of year and anxious to get out on open water. After the ice-fishing season closes, many of us quickly transition into fantasizing about open water fishing. We start to watch fishing shows on TV, go to fishing expos, and read everything we can to stimulate our passion.
Anglers in the northern states don’t need to wait long to get out in open water – we have access to rivers. I learned a few things on a recent trip to the Mississippi River near St. Paul with my Cousin Tom and his 9-year-old son (my godson) Jeremy Knutson. It was the ultimate remedy for “March Madness.”
Fishing on the river in March and April often means two things:
1) The water is much colder than you anticipate
2) You have to keep on the move until you find the schools of fish
Anglers often think that if you have a series of warm days, the water temperatures will follow suit. However, the snow is usually melting into the river and the water is subsequently freezing. Generally, the freezing water temperatures at this time of year keep the fish in a bunched up “staging” mode, which can lead to great success. If you can find ’em, that is.
Armed with our seventeen years of experience on the river, Tom and I came up with a game plan as to where and how we were going to fish. After launching the boat, we noted how low and clear the water was. We grew more excited, as those two factors were in our favor. Jeremy was chopping at the bit to cast so we headed up river. The first spot we checked was very slow, but our second spot was amazing.
We all were in awe at the sight of fish in that spot. Not only did the depth finder light up like a Christmas tree, but the fish were actually surfacing. At this point, we did not know what kind of fish they were. Jeremy was equipped with one of his favorite Rapala lures while Tom and I had jigs. We all headed into the herd of fish.
TIME FOR ACTION
It was not even one cast and CRACK went my Fig Rig rod! I had a big fish on the line and open water fishing officially began – I loved it. The first fish of the day turned out to be a nice carp. Then, a few seconds later Jeremy’s Rattling Rapala was creamed. He battled a nice sized largemouth bass into the net. The fish had engulfed his Rapala.
After the kid landed his bass, he made another cast and again his Rap was nailed. He had himself another nice bass. Jeremy then put on a fishing clinic with his Rattling Rap. He caught several more bass while reeling his lure in at a high speed. Tom and I were amazed at his technique. After all, many anglers jig fish in March for fish. But Jeremy knew he was going to fish with his Rapala because of a video game he had been playing lately (Rapala Pro Fishing) on his computer. Tom quickly switched to a shad rap and I stayed with my jig.
About twenty minutes into our spot, another batch of fish began to bite. The white bass began to hunt down the Rapala lures. Although I caught a couple on jigs, Tom and Jeremy were stealing the show. Finally, I gave in and put on a No. 11 Floating Rapala. We then had three different Rapala lures out for the attack. On my third cast, my line went slack. I thought I may have broken the line, but then it took off like a rocket launch.
We were excited to see a northern pike and wondered what could be next. The next fish was a nice smallmouth bass I caught near the rocks. We continued catching more and more fish until just before dark. That is when the action slowed, but soon the walleyes and saugers moved in. Jeremy and I caught a few and Tom continued with more white bass. As the day was wrapping up, we reflected on everything we caught: white bass, sheephead, carp, quillback, shad, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, sauger, and walleye. We had quite the smorgasbord.
After the sun had set, the plummeting temperatures reminded us it was indeed March in Minnesota, so we decided to go in.
A SURPRISING LEARNING TOOL
Tom, Jeremy and I had a great first day on the open water. We had found a remedy for “March Madness” in Minnesota. Jeremy helped Tom and me to think outside of the box when it comes to fishing in March. He discovered a speed method of fishing Rapala lures that actually spawned from his favorite video game. It is neat to see that playing a video game for a 9-year-old kid actually inspired him to head outdoors and fish.
And best yet, it helped me catch more fish, too. Now I can add a third tip for early spring river fishing:
1) The water is much colder than you anticipate
2) You have to keep on the move until you find the schools of fish
3) Don’t be afraid to try a more aggressive presentation
Josh Stevenson owns Blue Ribbon Bait and Tackle and is a full-time, multi-species guide. For more information visit www.blueribbonbait.com.