4 minute read
Bob Hendricks,Outdoor Writer:Gypsy Fishing
By Bob Hendricks
What could be better, open water, spring in the air, and so many places to try for those springtime fighters that bend your rod half way to the water and cause your reel’s drag to sing sweet music? I enjoy springtime fishing because the action can be red hot and it gives me a foretaste of the summer to come. Spring time fishing also allows me to use pretty simple baits in my arsenal of fish getters. If I am not in my boat I am moving like a gypsy from one body of water to another. Today it may be a secluded creek, this afternoon it may be a farm pond. The key is to cover as many bodies of water as you can. One area may be stone cold with nary a bite while another may be a total turn on for springtime fishing. I generally carry a Jim Grandt ultra light rod spooled with either four or six pound Trilene XL. Another rod I use is a two piece Jim Grandt medium action rod spooled with eight-pound test. Both of these rods fit easily behind my seat in my truck and can be taken out at a moment’s notice. I usually have one rigged with a small chartreuse beetle spin while the other may have a small in line spinner such as a Mepps.
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I make my tackle box one of the small one-sided Plano clear plastic containers and it works great for gypsy style fishing. I will generally stock my small tackle box with some beetle spins, some small crank baits such as Tiny Traps which are very small Rat-L-Traps, and of course a few small Mepps inline spinners. I also carry a few IKE-CON pre rigged worms in the purple color with chartreuse tails. I will put some small split shot, ball bearing swivels, and small slip bobbers along with some small gold Aberdeen hooks in the event I want to go to some form of live bait.
I like to work the areas of the water that have been exposed to more sunlight because the water temps there will be warmer and more conducive to hungry fish. Deep drop offs and around brush are all great springtime fishing structure and for all times of the year really.
Stay on the move, if one spot is not turning on after an hour or so hit another, that is the whole charm of gypsy style fishing. It is packing light, being mobile, and going from place to place in search of that hot bite or one big fish that is lurking in the shallows just waiting for a tasty little beetle spin to go spinning by her massive jaws. When it all comes together look out, because it is gypsy party time and the water will boil with heart thumping thrashing action. Gypsy fishing can also be done out of a boat. By motoring a fair distance away from your intended fishing area and turning your electric trolling motor to a lower speed you can move up and use these same tactics to fish area after area on any lake. You may find a weed flat where the fish are in full throttle mode to chase your offerings, while other areas are dead zones. Use hit and run tactics and gypsy fish the lake covering all the hot spots. IF you do not know the lake very well try to get a map of the lake which will show various depths and fish the shallow bays and drop offs. Piers or docks of course can be great at this time of the year but move up to them with some stealth. The water can be very clear this time of the year and you have to use stealth to not spook the fish holding in this area. Move off the spot when you are My first bass of the through before cranking the big motor over. year caught Gypsy Spring time has a charm of its’own and if you utilize these gypsy tactics you
Style fishing. can up your odds on some great fishing action.
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Levi Sarff, 10, with his first turkey! 23#, 9” beard, 3/4” spurs.
Here’s Levi again… this time with the biggest bass he’s ever caught - 6 lbs! Thanks to The Livewell in Manito for these awesome photos!
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