I am heading out to Basswood Lake tomorrow. Was curious if the weeds were up in Hoist Bay and Wind Bay. Didn’t know how the late ice out and recent warm weather has impacted the vegetation. Any help would be appreciated.
Just fish. From what I remember about back bay was an abundance of weed growth. The one bigger pike I did catch came off a rocky point on a popper.
If you worry about having to see weeds before you start fishing at this time of year before the weeds have topped out you might end up fishing to shallow and end up catching smaller pike.
The deeper weeds might not be visible especially if you have a bit of chop on the water. You can search for deeper weeds if you don't have a depth finder by casting a spon and letting it sink to the bottom. The lure will quickly provide clues if there is deep weeds. I like 8 to 10ft this time of year. A Super shad rap is a solid choice. A bait caster with at least 20lb braid (I like 30 > better in the weeds with a big fish and less apt to have "issues" such as backlashes and burying up in the spool). You can fish the big Rap with spinning but it can be laborious.
Don't overlook top water lures for big pike either. Quetico Mike likes the Heddon Lucky 13 in Bullfrog. If I fished may and June in canoe country I would definitely have one or two with me. Sometimes a top water will take big fish when nothing else will. Don't feel like you must cast the top water shallow either. Top waters can pull fish from deep water. Think about it, to a 4' long fish 10ft is only about twice its body length and a single tail kick from top to bottom.
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