Well it finally hit 70 degrees yesterday, which is quite nice for April 16, so I decided to take my new kayak on a little fishing trip.  With the winds blowing at 20+mph I had to stick to small water so I went to a little known lake between Gladwin and Beaverton.  The water was a bit choppy when I arrived but nothing that me and my 14 1/2 foot Native Ultimate kayak could not handle, so I loaded my fishing gear, jumped in the kayak, and headed out.

    Having been an avid panfish angler for most of my 43 years I had already eliminated about 90% of the lake before ever taking one stroke of the kayak paddle.  South bays and wind blown shallow shore lines were off the list as far as places to search. North shores and inside corners with 3+ feet of water close to the shore would be the first places I searched.  Why?  Well North bays and shorelines heat up quicker from the spring sun and panfish just love inside corners and turns on just about any body of water. 

    The first area I tried turned out to be the only area I fished as the fish were there and they were hungry.  My favorite lure combination of a 1/80 oz chartreuse jig tipped with 2 Berkley power wigglers was just what the fish wanted.  Four feet of water on the inside turn of a weed bed located on an inside pocket on the North shore was everything I look for in the early spring and the panfish agreed.  Two hours of nonstop action allowed me to put 40 keepers in the boat, of which I kept a select 25 to take home for the fryer.  I left the lake with 10 nice crappie and 15 bluegill.  Not bad, and it is only going to get better.