Ice melt is ongoing as we speak. Some lakes such as mid-size lakes, flowages, and river systems are open and ready to go, while the largest waterbodies will be opening within the coming few days. Undoubtedly, the best few weeks of the year are now here. Overnight lows are brisk and cold, but nothing dramatic or too serious to worry about. The beauty of springtime smallmouth fishing is there’s zero need to wake up pre-dawn to be out at sunrise like you would need to later in the season. The days are now longer. Sunlight’s radiance is brighter and warmer. Factor all into the equation, and your day’s fishing could be exciting and explosive. Until spring peak establishes, most days require a few hours of gradual warming for the underwater ecosystems to wake up for themselves. Time is best spent in the early mornings for rod rigging and game-day planning. Maybe taking care of a few household chores too. Then it’s out the door by 8 or 9. On the water somewhere by 10. Everywhere you fish, prioritize midday and afternoon fishing hours anyways. That’s when smallmouths will fire up. Feeding windows can happen at any moment, everywhere you go. Across the Great