Andrew Ragas explains that most smallies, unlike largemouth bass, are still located in deeper water after ice out, usually associated with a staging site.

During ice-out, most fishing efforts for smallmouths will be concentrated along the deep edges around staging sites, drop-offs and other deeper contours. Most smallmouths at ice-out will be found with electronics in these offshore locations. During my first outings of the year, I like to begin deep, looking for fish in the 15- to 30-foot zones. By working closely with my Lowrance HDS-12 Live equipped with C-Map, I make quick drive-bys along the deepest edges of spring feeding flats and the sides of rock humps. In these open-water locations, seeing the markings of schooling smallmouth will be obvious on screen.

Key forage species for my bodies of water are smelt, ciscoes, mud minnows and yellow perch. For that reason, I often focus on long, slender, 3- to 5-inch baits.

I use soft jerkbaits rigged on a minnow style jig head a lot in mid-summer and fall when smallmouths are deep (fishing “moping” style). However, they also have a time and place in spring, from ice-out until fish move in too shallow, eventually making this technique ineffective. Soft jerkbaits in the “fluke” style, such as a Kalin’s Jerk Minnow Jr., are pitched and vertically jigged in horizontal presentations. I prefer using Northland Slurp jigs in 1/8- or 1/4-ounce sizes, depending upon depth and wind.

My approach is methodical for these deeper-schooling smallmouths. I don’t fish from the front deck. I also don’t cast blindly. I only fish vertically with jig and minnow combos when smallmouths are pinpointed on my Lowrance on the console. From the back end of the boat, I can control my bow-mounted Minn Kota Terrova by remote. I also leave it deployed in the water at all times, because when smallmouths are on the move, I can trail them by idling with the big motor. When found again, I’ll shut off the outboard and resume my remote control game—a system making boat control a thing of beauty if you don’t have 360 imaging.

For the moping game, I favor the St. Croix Victory spinning in two specific models: The 6’ 10” Light Weight (VTS610MLXF), and 7’ 1” Finesse (VTS71MF). Both rods are paired with a Quantum Catalyst 20 PTi spooled with 10-pound Cortland Masterbraid for the main line, and up to a 5-foot. section of 8-pound fluorocarbon leader.

In the event smallmouths are holding closer near bottom, they’ll be more catchable by employing walleye tactics. On Wisconsin’s inland lakes, the most astute walleye anglers have been catching monstrous, early-season smallmouths for years with rip baits and Jigging Rap style baits. The #5 and #6 Rapala Rippin’ Rap is an early-season favorite that has achieved a cult following amongst cheeseheads. There is no wrong way to fish it. Cast and pitch outward, to rip jig it back towards the boat. Or jig vertically, just above bottom and watch your screen. Smallmouth strikes will be vicious. Some of the biggest smallmouths of the season are caught and released under these circumstances by walleye anglers.

As the water warms a little, smallmouths will gravitate closer toward the shallows, becoming even more aggressive and catchable. Along with these schools of staging fish, my boat likewise progresses shallower also, to the 5- to 15-foot depth range along the edges of shallow spawning flats.

This is when I demoralize fish with a suspending jerkbait. Because water temperatures are still on the cold side, I am slow with my approach. Instead of working shallow-running baits with a wide wobble like the X-Rap, Husky Jerk, J-Spec and Pointers, I favor deep divers like the Shadow Rap Deep. They are irresistible on a long pause in cold water. Instead of jerking, give them more subtle pulls to achieve depth. I’ll wait patiently in between pulls, if necessary, upwards of 30 seconds.

Bass are catchable at ice-out

If this compels you to finally break the ice, remember that most bass will still be lethargic, and mostly unwilling to commit to strikes until water temperatures rise into the mid-40s. Unless it’s a search lure like the few described for largemouth in last week’s Insider eNewsletter, everything must be worked patiently and slowly. Place your lures within inches of bass

It’s a feast or famine time of year. The best aspect about ice out fishing is their heavy schooling and concentrating. Within hours after ice-out, my boat’s caught and released as many as 50 largemouths in a single afternoon. For smallmouths, we’ve been able to accomplish nearly the same, without moving the boat off from a staging location.

Work everything slowly, from lure selection to boat maneuvering. Be patient. If bass aren’t present, come back to the same areas again later in the day. Midday and afternoon hours are known to be the most productive fishing times.

For largemouths, seek the warmest water and habitats available. For smallmouths, find their staging sites. During the earliest stages of spring, they are not going to be located everywhere, and in several spots, like later on in the season. Look for places where fish want to be connected to habitat and structure, and puzzle these pieces together from the depths to shallows. Run these high-percentage areas I’ve described and you’re eventually bound to find fish foraging in an area.

Andrew Ragas will be presenting tips on using Lowrance electronics on an upcoming episode of MidWest Outdoors television, airing in April. Check local listings or catch it on the MidWest Outdoors YouTube channel soon after it airs on TV.