Between Ice-Out and Bedding bluegills - what to do, what to use?

[GLENN MARTIN MILLER]

Fish when you can, where you are, with what you've got, for what you think is there. Change and move when it is clear that you need to try something else.

In the ice-out to bedding period ( pre-spawn?) where to find fish and what tactics.

[Jim Gronaw]

Hey Glen...we went today, 4-10, to a pond where the crappie are usually bedding up shallow this time of year. Not so today, couldn't see or catch any fish in the traditional haunts. Water temps still too cold, upper 40's, so we did the wind-blown/bobber/hairjig/tipped with bait gig to cover a shallow area that we thought might be warmer than the rest of the lake. We caught about 65 fish, mostly gills, and numerous crappie and a few bass. Great fun! and we know now where they are when the cold fronts come through. I posted a few pics of our trip a bit ago. One of the few times I listened to my own advice and it actually paid off! In truth, my wife Linda caught on to the shallow water bite and put a hurtin on me. Cold and blustery winds and overcast. Caught most fish 3-4 ft below a small weighted bobber. Some fish were in pretty close and shallow, too. Hope you smash em!

[Tony Livingston]

I have to agree with what's already been posted. Pre spawn can definitely be a hot bite. Especially with the big females, they're up in shallow flats, gorging themselves. I find that you have to put the bait right on em', they sometimes won't move out far to get it. If you can find a southern facing bay, especially one lined with low, overhanging tree branches, the fish will be in tight to the bank- maybe a foot or two out. I like 4 pound test, a small weighted bobber, and a bee moth about a foot or so deep. Awesome fishing!

[GLENN MARTIN MILLER]

Thanks for the encouragement! Shallow, warmth collecting, branches ( crappie terroritory) and weighted floats. . . now, so long as I can get out, and stay warm I'll be enjoying.