What’s On Josh Douglas’ Deck: April

Top Pre-Spawn Tackle Setups —

It’s April, and while much of our water up here in Northern Minnesota is still frozen, we’re beginning to see some ponds and smaller water open up. Right after ice-out, the fishing heats up super quick. Fish are in hardcore pre-spawn mode and will push into areas where water temps are on the rise, like shallows and back bays. It’s an incredible time of year because fish haven’t seen baits for a long time and are very receptive. It’s the perfect opportunity to try new presentations and hook a bunch of fish! Here’s what’s in my locker to squeeze the most out of angling opportunities in April.

[SETUP 1]
G. Loomis IMX-PRO 883C BJR 
Shimano Curado DC HG
17lb Seaguar Invizx fluorocarbon
1/2oz Z-Man Jackhammer
Bio Spawn Exo Minnow

[SETUP 2]
G. Loomis IMX-PRO 863C SWBR
Shimano Chronarch MGL HG
1/4oz Outkast Tackle Pro Swim Jig
Get Bit Baits Hypertail Grub

[SETUP 3]
G. Loomis GCX 845C CBR
Shimano Chronarch MGL HG
12lb Seaguar Invizx fluorocarbon
Shimano Macbeth 57F Flat

[SETUP 4]
G. Loomis IMX-PRO 882S NRR
Shimano Vanford C3000
10lb PowerPro
10lb Seaguar Invizx fluorocarbon
1/8oz Outkast Tackle Goldeneye Swimmer Head
Bio Spawn 3.25” Exo Swim

[SETUP 5]
G. Loomis IMX-PRO 901S SJR
Shimano Stradic 2500
8lb PowerPro
8lb Seaguar Invizx Fluorocarbon
Outkast Tackle Feider Fly

[SETUP 6]
G. Loomis IMX-PRO 852S JWR
Shimano Stradic C3000
10lb PowerPro SSV2
10lb Seaguar Invizx fluorocarbon
1/8oz Outkast Tackle Perfect Ned Head
10,000 Fish Sukoshi Bug

[SETUP 7]
G. Loomis GCX 820S DSR
Shimano Vanford C3000
10lb PowerPro SSV2
8lb Seaguar Invizx fluorocarbon
Rapala #6 Shad Rap

[SETUP 8]
G. Loomis NRX+ 842 MBR
Shimano Metanium DC XG
10lb Seaguar Invizx fluorocarbon
Shimano World Minnow 115-SP

[SETUP 9]
G. Loomis NRX+ 852S JWR
Shimano Exsence 4000
10lb PowerPro SSV2
10lb Seaguar Invizx fluorocarbon
1/4oz Outkast Tackle Goldeneye Swimmer Head
Catch Co 10000 Fish Shimmer Shad

[SETUP 10]
G. Loomis NRX+ 872S JWR
Shimano Exsence 4000
10lb PowerPro SSV2
10lb Seaguar Invizx fluorocarbon
1/4oz Get Bit Baits Tube Jig
Get Bit Baits Tube 2.75”

[SETUP 11]
G. Loomis NRX+ 854C JWR
Shimano Bantam XG
17lb Seaguar Invizx fluorocarbon
5/16oz Woo Tungsten weight
4/0 Owner Jungle EWG hook
Bio Spawn Vile Tube