Consistent Summer Patterns Setting Up...
By Professional Guide Kurt Justice
Summer patterns have begun to set up. Daily changes in the weather may alter bites here and there, but overall, things look fairly consistent with a late June/early July bite.
Pike: Very good. Anglers targeting pike have been having good success casting shallow raps, ratllin raps, chatterbaits and spinnerbaits over weeds of 4-8'. Musky anglers reporting lots of pike hitting bucktails and twitch baits meant for muskies in the same waters.
Walleye: Very good. With bug hatch out of the way, walleyes holding along 14-23' weed edges taking crawlers, big leeches and redtails. After dark, target shallower edges of 8-10' or cast Rallin Roughes over weed tops to catch fish of 18-26".
Musky: Good. Bucktails and spinnerbaits over weed flats. Some top-water action, though this will probably heat up as surface temps increase. After slight cool down and high pressure, muskys found in 14-18' holding near weed clumps where bluegills have moved. Crane baits twitch over clumps producing fast reaction strikes.
Largemouth Bass: Good. Considering this past weekend was the opener, not great. Wind and fronts put fish out from shoreline cover. Deep weed edges best with creature baits, beaver style baits and wacky worms best along 10-16' weeds.
Smallmouth Bass: Good. Anglers twitching Husky Jerks and X-Raps around flooded timber experiencing nice action of fish to 20". On deep lakes, schooling smallies taking leeches on 1/8oz jigs.
Bluegills: Food. Bite slowed as spawn finishing up and fish scattering somewhat. Wind has made top water fishing with poppers tough. Best to use small leeches under floats in weeds adjacent to old spawn beds.
Perch: Fair: Conditions windy for finding perch. A few fish on 1/2 crawlers meant for walleyes.
Crappie: Fair. Same as with perch. Not a lot of anglers targeting due to the wind.
Water temps have slid back into high 60's. Storms of late keeping temps from rising. Take advantage of clouds for shallow water action.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.com