Nebraskaland

22 NEBRASKAland • APRIL 2017 April 1 Youth Fishing Instructor Certification Class Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln April 1-9 Sandhill Crane Migration Viewing Fort Kearny State Historical Park (SHP), Kearney April 5 Light Goose Conservation Order closes in Rainwater Basin and West zones April 5 Spring Turkey Hunting Workshop Game and Parks Southwest District Office, North Platte April 6 Crow Hunting Statewide crow hunting season closes April 6 Spring Turkey Hunting Workshop Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, Gretna April 6 Growing Up WILD Workshop for after-school providers, Florence Community Center, Omaha April 8 Spring Youth Shotgun Turkey Spring youth shotgun turkey season opens April 8 Happy Birthday, Nebraska! Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, Gering April 8 Nebraska State Conventional Pistol Championship Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, Lincoln April 11 Linking Literature and Science workshop for after-school providers, Florence Community Center, Omaha April 15 Spring Shotgun Turkey Spring shotgun turkey season opens April 15 Light Goose Conservation Order closes in East Zone April 15 Project Appleseed .22 Competition Platte River State Park (SP), Louisville April 17 Bighorn Sheep Lottery Application period begins for bighorn sheep lottery permit April 21 Meeting Nebraska Game and Parks Commission meeting, Norfolk April 22 Republican Valley Archery 3-D Shoot Red Willow Reservoir SRA, McCook April 28 Arbor Day Game and Parks offices closed April 29 Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex opens on weekends, Platte River SP, Louisville April 29-30 Beyond Becoming an Outdoors- Woman Experience Platte River SP, Louisville Contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at 402-471-0641 or visit OutdoorNebraska.org for more information. Visit HuntSafeNebraska. org for a list of hunter education classes and BoatSafeNebraska.org for a list of boating safety classes. by Jerry Kane Stick Bait Success By Brian Robinson Traditionally, stick baits like Husky Jerks and Rogues are deadly when used early and late in the season. I have found this to be particularly true in some areas and have found a few tips that really help catch fish. For the most part, I lean toward sticks that suspend, like the above mentioned weapons. I've found that having a variety on hand will help you dial in what the fish want. Some days they want 3" baits, some days 4½". Every bait has a different wobble, roll and appearance at rest while suspending. Pay attention to these aspects and let the fish tell you what they want. Finding the right cadence is also important when using sticks. I will usually cast out, rip them down a few cranks then completely stop them. Then I try to figure out if I should reel slowly, twitch the bait or reel a couple times and stop it again. Pay attention to when the fish strike; is it on the pause or right when you start cranking again? Once you find the right cadence, you will stay busy. I recently read an article about a bass pro who said he never uses a stick bait without a dressed hook on it. A few lures come with this style hook, but for the ones that don't, I have tied a few hooks with mylar and feathers, adding flash to the presentation. Once again, let the fish tell you if they want a flashy bait or one that's a bit dull and slower. Use these tips, find a pattern that works and you'll be amazed at how many different species of fish will strike a well presented stick bait. ■

• Cover