Jackson: Whether its gamefish or panfish, Heim ready to help
There is always a smile on his face. And the only time I ever saw him with a glum look was when he wasn't in his boat.
One should be prepared to laugh until it hurts when using the services of guide Billie Heim, chief mover and shaker with Nightprowler Guide Service (262-325-1208).
Lake Delavan was our target this time out and fishing friend Phil Wein and I had one of those days when all the conditions lined up to spell happy-times and fun fishing.
The bass and walleye season has just opened (mid-May) so we all agreed crappie and bluegill were our menu choices, just as a different main course, so to speak. It was the perfect choice.
Billie offers guide services for quite a number of southern Wisconsin lakes. He has a constant love affair with Lake Geneva smallmouth bass, and his scorecard on that species is something quite astounding.
But make no mistake about it - Billie loves panfish, especially crappie and bluegills. And I admit I also love to chase the large panfish when I can find them.
One method I've been using is to run with an ultralight spinning rod slightly longer than 7-feet. Instead of a slip-float, I prefer to use a tiny fixed float because most of the action is less than the 8-foot depth.
Right now the weed growth on Delavan is manageable, but in another month or so the scum weeds (algae based) will cover large sections of the main lake as well as some of the channels.
Like the late Chain guide Darrel Baker, Heim is able to zero-in on panfish as well as his beloved smallmouth bass.
Lake Delavan has literally everything one could ask for in the way of different species. It's a lake where Spence Petros takes guide clients for early-season bass and some occasional walleye action as well.
But again, here is a typical Wisconsin lake that had its difficulties with pesticide run-off. It was some years back when the lake was drained and subsequently re-stocked with fish. Fertilizer from the home lawns surrounding the lake and run-off from the lakeside golf course played havoc with residents and visitors alike.
As the Wisconsin bass season shifts into high gear now, quite a few larger fish hang out on the outside edge of the cabbage and coontail weeds, especially right after spawning.
And that's about the same time the lake's crappie population heads a bit deeper where the water is still clear with coontail growth serving as survival areas.
If it's gamefish you're chasing, call Billie. And if it's crappies, perch and fat bluegills you seek, tell Billie you're on for some action and a good time.
• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, catch his radio show 7-9 a.m. Sundays on WGCO 1590-AM (live-streamed at www.1590WCGO.com) and get more content at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.