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Water’s warm and early summer is officially here. Predators are prowling below the façade non-stop for their next meal. To say the multi-species bite is on is an understatement.
‘Tis the season masses of finned marauders share like spaces. Locating them is not hard. Cast. Troll. Whatever your preferred ploy, you’d be hard pressed to find bass, walleye, panfish or pike willing to let a Rapala wobble past without taking a poke at it. Just tie one on and let it work its magic while covering as much water as possible. Best to hang on tight as you never know what’s about to strike.
But even though the bite is at its best this time of year, there’s more to plying the waterways than an aimless cast or trolling pass. Find the right water and you’ll do more than just stumble onto a fish here and another there. Pick apart the environment of the H2O and you’ll hit upon the multi-species mother load. And as for what to tie on, that’s a given. Every Rapala crankbait created crosses genus centerline no matter what scaled variety you’re seeking.
Tempting the tepid
Rapala walleye pro Mike Gofron searches out temperature transitions in spring. The areas where creek or river mouths deposit their warming waters come to his ever-fishy mind first. “The key is to fish right where the temperature makes its transit from warm to cool. You can often see it with the eye, where stained water meets clear,” he states. If water clarity doesn’t give Gofron an indication, he relies on his sonar to help him dissect the tepid details.
Rocks, whether piled high in deep water or scattered across a shallow flat, as well standing timber and logs lying about also radiate heat. Both predator and prey make the most of the warming water surrounding them. Finding fresh weed growth is another of Gofron’s favorite spring strategies. Not only do the developing weeds absorb sunlight and exude heat, but the bright greens also richly oxygenate the area. Both minnows and gamefish play hide and seek amongst the unraveling foliage.
Although every Rapala lure will catch all species, some stand out in the crowd. The new Rippin’ Rap, for example, can be cast without much effort, and its ability to sink quickly allows an angler to cover the water column from top to bottom. And its distinctively loud BB rattle chamber and violent vibration beckons attention even in muddied waters. Tie it on to Sufix 832 and you’ll feel the lure’s tremor telegraphed through your rod and work its way into your spine.
Gofron leans towards trusted older-school Rapalas when rummaging through his tackle totes for what he ties on first. “If I were trapped on an island and only had one lure with me, it would be a #5 Shad Rap,” says Gofron. “I’ve caught every species of freshwater fish with one.” His tip for the Shad Rap, no matter the target, is to vary your speed of retrieve or troll until you conjure up strikes.
Catching more fish no matter the species is simple in spring: Tie on a Rapala. Seek out temperature transitions. Cast. Troll. But it’s best to hang on tight... You never know what’s
about to strike.
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