on the hook for a graphite replica mount

[the bobber]

i am coming up to the winnie area for a four day weekend, and want to come up at least one day for some gator fishing. to get my 13 yr. old to stick with it and give it a fair chance, i told him if he catches and releases a 40 incher, i will spring for a replica mount. any info to help him empty my wallet? just how much does a replica cost at wholesale? from the info i have been gathering, it seems that big crankbaits trolled behind planer boards from the river north along the north shore is the best method. how am i doing? any best colors lures and depths? i have never fished url except for a few hours this spring right in front of rogers for crappies. thanks for your help.

[vikes40for60]

the bobber,

We had a gruop at Winnie and made a one day trip to URL. We caught fish on winnie, lots of 3-5lb pike and some walleye action. Best luck at Winnie was at the south end of high banks. There is a little flat area with two weed lines. We fished the inside weedline (6ft water) trolling cranks, spinner baits, etc, and that is where we caught 90% of our fish.

On URL same story. We started out trolling the north end with no pike luck, except that we caught 20+ walleyes on floating rapalas perch color, in 2-3 ft of water near the reeds.

We found our ONLY pike action between the public access and Hudecs. We trolled the weed/brake line in 3-6ft water with large stick baits. We caught 7 pike over 36", with the biggest at 39". 29" was near 17 lbs, nice fish and she lived to swim another day.

Good luck and shoot a report when you get back!