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I was thinking about bringing the kids out there tomorrow if the ice is in good shape. Does anyone have any info?? Jay R??

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Hi zelek, curious if I should know who you are?

Franklin yes have been out but only 2x this year first was day after christmas and last time was this past Saturday. Still some slush out there.

First time out hit 2 spots had decent success on the second spot from 4:30-6:30 in about 22-23ft. Was fishing waldos and managed to ice a few keepers 14-17" range and lost one under the ice 17-19" range at the hole (Angler Error). Marked many fish in that 2 hour period but they bit very light. Simple jigging spoon glow pink BuckShot and Angel Eye was best with minnow head. Whole minnow would not work, and very slight jigging motion. I would leave the spoon motionless until i saw the rod tip start to move and then WHAM set the hook. All the waldos iced had the trebel in the very tip of the jaw.

Last Saturday was not productive at all. I set up late around 4:00pm and moved in a little shallower about 18ft. Marked very few fish and only had 2 solid bites, both of which I think were snotrockets. Never saw either but the way they acted on the flasher and how they hit spelled SNOTROCKET.

My best advice would be get away from the little village in the bay. There many good spots on Franklin just takes a little looking. Franklin can be a difficult and frustrating lake but if you hit the "WaldoMine" the catching can be great with excellent quality. Good Luck

J

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Z-Man

I have heard the same thing -- was good early and is slower now. Sounds like every lake right now.

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Hey Jay....thanks for responding.

No...we've never met, but I've read a few of your posts over the years and could tell you've spent some time out there. \:\)

I was out there last Sat night too. A buddy & I got set-up late and we only hooked one crappie in a couple of hours.

I was thinking about hanging out for awhile after dark next time out. Have you had much success out there after the sun goes down??

Hey Hit...it can't slow up now. I finally have some time to get out!! cry.gif

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zelek,

I would say my best success has been right at sundown and about 1/2 hour - 1 hour after. I have caught a few mid day but generally it's slow or you can find them and seem them on the flasher but they stay TIGHT to the bottom. After the sun goes past the trees or it gets dark BAM the activity starts. From my experience it does not matter if it is a cloudy day or bright and sunny.

J

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How's the just before and after dark crappie bite on Franklin? I've been wanting to try it this winter for the first time; anyone got any pointers on where a guy should start for some crappies?

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Ohhh...easy now...it's not a very big lake.

We were graphing crappies last weekend but couldn't get any to commit (except that one). Of course that's not surprising as I don't know the first thing about crappie fishing...and I'm not kidding. grin.gif Maybe you should come out and give US some pointers sometime??

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Z --

Call me if you get a chance and give me an update -- have been thinking about Franklin as well. Might try it Sunday -- If we get our Pinewood derby cars done. eek.gif

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 Quote:
-- have been thinking about Franklin as well. Might try it Sunday

are you too good to come fish the GTG with us on sunday now? or are you insecure about only catching 10'ers? ;\)

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It was nice to meet you out on the ice yesterday Zelek!! Small world when a guy goes cruising by on his sled turns out to be someone you know from here. Stop by again sometime when you are passing through, or when you are out there fishing.

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Eye --

The Z-Man is a good fella, but he has a long way to go on his Derby Car -- or at least that is what I hear. \:\/

Eye -- I was going to take a zip over to see you but I had a sick kid and then it was getting pretty cold by 4 p.m.

Catchin any fish?

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Yeah, it was colder than a well diggers, well you get the idea, by the time we left last night. No fish this weekend except for a half dozen or so of those 12"=13" perch. Talked to a guy that I know (who also lives near Hawleywood) coming off the lake on Saturday, he was over in the hole where your house got broken into, and he had a limit of gills and crappies. Nothing real big but he had 20 and 10 respectively.

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Nice --

Just hate to leave the house there -- that is the only place I get broken into.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

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