Jump to content

  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

A Day On The Water

Surface Tension
 Share

Recommended Posts

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
Surface Tension Grand Master

Surface Tension

Posted
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
Posted

With the forecast of winds and gusts we scraped the plans of trolling Superior and headed to a small inland lake for eyes.

Its that time of year when the the night time temps drop below the surface water temps leaving the lakes in a fog and turnover is just around the corner. With the cool nights and shorter days, more eyes are starting to show up shallow taking advantage of the oxygen rich, cool surface water on windblown shores and shallow humps.

In the boat was my son, Reefraker, myself, and a 1/2 lb of leeches. I rigged Jr with a slip bob and leech where he targeted the top of a shallow hump. Wasn't long before he had the first 17" eye in the boat.

RR and I started pitching jigs tipped with a leech(minnows would have worked too), covering the contours.

Slip bobber was down again and another eye at 18". Didn't take long to figure out the walleyes were on top the humps and not so much on the contours. Mean while a few more eyes are taken on the jigs. We move to the windblown shoreline trolling spinner and leech. The eyes are there also but the winds are making boat control difficult so we move to another hump and anchor. Jr wants a jig, all our fish so far have been hitting very light with a slow and methodical presentation so I have my doubts about him working a jig under those conditions. Not taking my advice to slow it down, he'd cast out, let it sink and then zipped it in fast over the hump. I greatly underestimated him as he popped four 17-18" eyes in a row on a jig HIS way. While the rest of us did get fish our way, we waited too long to try long to try Jr's method, that 1/2 lb of leeches are gone, yep fishing is good.

We tried plastics but no go. Tried stick baits and again nothing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Steve Foss Grand Master

Steve Foss

Posted
Posted

Glad to see you guys had a great day on the water. Nice that Jr. is outdoing his old man. That's a key for any young fisherman. grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites
chaffmj Mentor

chaffmj

Posted
Posted

Frank,

Isn't it funny how that happens? When I was on Basswood a week ago my wife out fished me with her way. We were using bottom bouncers and every once in awhile she would hold the pole straight up in the air. Of course I had to make a comment about it and from that point on she caught about three fish to every one I caught. Another lesson learned the hard way again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
Surface Tension Grand Master

Surface Tension

Posted
  • Author
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators
Posted

Between Jr and I it was neck in neck. Not that I'd mind getting out fished by him,,,,again. grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
      2024Mn fishing opener......

      By smurfy · Posted

      is 3 weeks away............who's going and where???? i skip the first week and i'll head up to the cabin the 2nd week.  ussually fish smaller lakes. 
    • jparrucci
      water levels

      By jparrucci · Posted

      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      water levels

      By mbeyer · Posted

      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      Ice-Out 2024

      By SkunkedAgain · Posted

      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      Ice-Out 2024

      By mbeyer · Posted

      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      Sturgeon Fishing is Hot

      By LakeofthewoodsMN · Posted

      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

  I accept