A Return to the Waters That Shaped a Life
For many anglers, the lakes we grew up fishing never lose their magic. For me, Hayward, Wisconsin—and more specifically Grindstone Lake—holds a special place in my heart. I spent countless childhood summers at my grandmother’s cabin, learning the rhythms of the water and falling in love with fishing. After high school, I moved to the area full-time to chase a dream: making a living in the fishing industry. It was here, in the woods and waters of northern Wisconsin, that I learned about life, hard work, and most importantly, about smallmouth bass.
The Magic of Smallmouth Bass
Back on Grindstone, the fish were biting—hard. Smallmouth after smallmouth exploded onto my bait. One even came flying out from under the boat like a torpedo. There’s just something special about these fish. For me, it all started here. I vividly remember sneaking off with my buddy Mike and a container of premium nightcrawlers from his uncle’s bait shop. With a simple nose hook and a split shot, we fished over rock piles and caught monster smallmouth bass. We kept our technique a secret, and it was thrilling to see people wonder how two kids were catching so many big fish.
That passion for smallmouth never left me. These fish are fighters, intelligent and aggressive, and the lakes in the Hayward area are now being managed with that in mind. More and more, these waters are being developed as trophy smallmouth fisheries—and it’s working. The results are phenomenal.
Management That Makes a Difference
Across the country, the management philosophy for fisheries is evolving. Anglers and biologists are thinking more about conservation, habitat protection, and catch-and-release practices. In the Hayward region, several lakes are now managed specifically for trophy smallmouth bass. The change in quality is noticeable. These fish were always here, but better management is bringing them to the forefront, offering anglers more opportunities for memorable experiences.
A Fishing Machine and Cutting-Edge Technology
As I explored the lakes, I was equally thrilled with the performance of my new fishing rig. I’m running a Lund 2075 equipped with a 300-horse Mercury Verado. It’s a true “one-boat network” system, thanks to Humminbird and Minn Kota. With Ultrex on the bow, dual Helix 10 units up front (one with 360 imaging), and another set at the console, I can map, spot-lock, and search structure seamlessly. The integration with my Talons and LakeMaster mapping lets me lock in on productive spots faster than ever before. It’s a game-changer.
Unexpected Surprises and Legendary Waters
While smallmouth were the target, these lakes have a few surprises too. I hooked into a big fish and thought for a second it might be a musky, only to find out it was a fat, healthy walleye. That’s the beauty of this region—you never know what the next cast will bring. Stories were circulating of 34-inch walleyes being caught nearby, reinforcing just how special these waters are.
And speaking of special, if you haven’t experienced Ontario’s Sunset Country, you need to. It’s true wilderness fishing at its finest.
Fishing as a Lifelong Passion
Fishing is more than a sport. It’s a lifelong passion that can begin with a single bite. For some, it’s a bluegill on a bobber. For others, it’s a big largemouth that jumps unexpectedly, or a musky that tail-dances at boat-side. For me, it was smallmouth bass right here in Hayward. That one connection can ignite a fire that lasts a lifetime. And the best part? You can keep fishing into your 80s, 90s, or even 100s. That’s the beauty of it.
Gear, Memories, and More Bites
The fish kept coming. One after another. The action was steady, and every catch brought back a wave of nostalgia. That mix of memory and motion—fighting a good smallmouth on light line—is hard to beat. I was running 4-pound Sufix fluorocarbon and making sure I had the right gear for the cold water conditions, which were in the low 40s to just touching 50 degrees.
In the next segment, we’ll take a deeper dive into the specific baits and techniques I use during this early season period, including hair jigs and other cold-water essentials. Stay tuned.
Cold Water Arsenal: Baits That Trigger Strikes
When targeting smallmouth bass in cold water—from the low 40s to the low 50s—you need to dial in your presentation. I rely on a handful of proven baits that consistently produce results. One of my go-to options is a bucktail jig—a simple yet deadly lure, especially when bites are tough to come by. The little black hair versions and small bucktails get bit all day long when fished properly.
But if I had to name one all-time greatest jerkbait for smallmouth bass, it’s the Rapala X-Rap—hands down. I know it’s a bold claim, but I genuinely believe no jerkbait draws more strikes in this temperature range. “Pinky” is one of my favorite colors, though “Hot Head” also shines. These baits suspend and dart in a way that smallmouth just can’t ignore.
With a combination of two styles of hair jigs, a small bucktail, and the X-Rap, you’re covered from 2 to 12 feet of water. That range is key during the spring transition, especially up here in the North Country, where smallmouth move quickly out of their winter holes and onto shallow rocks.
Light Tackle Essentials for Cold Water Success
Because these early-season presentations require finesse, I stick with light line and spinning gear. One of my favorite rods is a St. Croix Legend Elite, 6’8″ medium power with extra-fast action. The shorter length offers superior control for jerkbait fishing. When I switch to hair jigs, I’ll sometimes move up to a 7-footer for better casting distance and line management.
I pair the rod with a Daiwa Ballistic 2500 LT spinning reel, loaded with 10-pound Sufix 832 braid and a 6-foot Sufix fluorocarbon leader. It’s a simple setup, but it gets the job done with precision and ease.
On clear-water lakes like the one I’m fishing now, sight fishing plays a huge role. With polarized sunglasses and good lighting, I can often see the bait at the top of the cast and sometimes even watch a smallmouth move in and strike—before I feel anything. That’s the magic of fishing an X-Rap in clear water: it’s a visual experience that’s both exciting and informative.
When the Bite Turns On
During this trip, I hit one of those rare moments when everything clicks. I was getting crushed on that pink X-Rap—fish after fish, including some real brutes. These early spring bites are a phenomenon. When the fish are keyed into that particular action and profile, you can fish all day with just one or two lures.
But it’s a narrow window. Give it three or four days of warmer weather and they’ll abandon the jerkbait bite. Then it’s time to go vertical—break out the tubes, Ned rigs, or finesse jigs. It’s remarkable how quickly their feeding behavior shifts.
For now, though, I was in that golden moment—big bronzebacks wallowing and hammering the bait on the pause. It never gets old. And yes, I had plans to meet up with a buddy for dinner, but you can bet I’d be back on this lake soon—especially when the topwater bite starts after the spawn. I avoid fishing during the spawn to let the fish do their thing, but I always return when they’re ready to explode on surface lures.
A Personal Turning Point: From Fishing to Faith
This visit to Hayward also gave me the chance to reflect on another kind of transformation in my life—my walk with faith.
At age 35, life was going well on the surface. I had a successful career, a loving family, and everything seemed to be clicking. But something deeper was missing. One evening, after returning from a tournament on Kentucky Lake, my sister-in-law and brother invited me to a Lowell Lundstrom Christian crusade in Crosby, Minnesota. I had no idea what it was, but I went along to catch up with them.
The experience was foreign at first. Music, preaching, an invitation to come forward—it wasn’t what I was expecting. But then I saw my brother, with tears in his eyes, walk forward with his wife. I was stunned. That moment planted a seed. Over the next two years, I kept encountering people from my past—people whose lives had been radically changed. They spoke about God, Jesus, prayer… and I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
Eventually, after a long period of searching, I knelt down one night at 9:15 and prayed. I asked Jesus into my life. I asked for forgiveness, confessed my sins, and committed to walk with Him. That moment changed everything. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
From that point forward, I saw the world differently. That transformation—just like a child’s first fish, just like the magic of a jerkbait bite—was life-altering in the most profound way.
