My Kawartha opener - very early this year, Mar 19 Balsam lake -cold, snow and pike

Well, fishing for perch on the open water on a drop shot is fun but I wanted to open my Kawartha pike season and fish my favorite way - using jerks and cranks.

Friends did really good on pike Saturday before the weather started to turn cold but I could not get out on a weekend.

So yesterday I could not wait any longer as the weather were getting worse and sneaked out in the afternoon for the half day fishing to Balsam.

it took me a while to force myself to slow down my presentation and fish painfully slow in the 3.5C water but at the end it was all worth it.

Found pike in it's usual Spring spots - in old weeds in 8-10 FOW.

Used suspending deeper jerks like Megabass Oneten plus 1, Deep Husky Jerk and Shadow Rap Deep 11.

Also used lead suspend strips on some lures to make them slow sinking and it did the trick.

Pike was nibbling at the lures for the most part and was sluggish in the cold front conditions.

All in all caught 12 pikes in 3-5 lb range and one decent walleye .
Took home my 6 pike limit

On Oneten plus 1…

Shadow rap deep

The weather …

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Take home …

Nice report. I remember seeing your boat covered worse than that at midnight and -4 degrees outside, the first time we met. The best way to catch fish is to get out there when you are the only one fishing. But you already know that. Sometimes I think you prefer the bad, cold weather like me. Thanks for the report.

Thanks, CM.
I try to get out in a decent weather if possible but I do not shy from bad weather and as you know the predatory fish likes it when it's bad outside..

My normal Kawartha pike opener is usually second half - end of April but this year everything is very early.

Nice! I’m jealous, pike are quickly becoming one of my favourite eating fish.

Very nice JB...I am also jealous. Enjoy my brother enjoy. Some nice pike there. And yes I also love to eat pike....just learn how to clean out the y-bones and you will also like pike.

Arnie

Thanks LF,

Yeah the pike is good eating. I usually grind the filets twice in a meat grinder and do the fried patties with eggs, flour and butter.

This way its delicious and you don't need to bother with poking out the Y-bones as they gets completely ground down.

Well done, JB!

Some serious fishing in wintery conditions with a great result.
Thanks for the report.

Crazy weather, but great fishing.

Do you ever break tradition and throw a spoon?

Thanks LF,

Yeah the pike is good eating. I usually grind the filets twice in a meat grinder and do the fried patties with eggs, flour and butter.

This way its delicious and you don't need to bother with poking out the Y-bones as they gets completely ground down.

I am going to try those fish burgers....great idea. Thank you.

Arnie

Thanks, RM.

Hopefully you get on the water soon as well .