Basswood Day Trip

[wall_guy_101]

Hey Gents...(and gal(s))

Coming up this weekend for a day trip into basswood thru fall lake, newton, pipestone etc..Any recommendations as to water temp., depths of fish, leeches or minnows??...Hate to waste a day lookin when i could be catchin.. ...Planning on early morning saturday fishing and then a little grouse shooting in the afternoon...Geez i love ely!!!!

[NAMAKANWALLEYE]

Hey, you forgot the Steak House, or Winton for a few drinks!!!!!!!!

[wall_guy_101]

How could i forget?.....fishing, hunting, and then drinks and i fine thick porterhouse steak...(and then more drinks)

[NAMAKANWALLEYE]

Ive never fished pipestone this time of year, but I know a lot of people go up through Prairie Portage, to Back Bay.

After October, 1 you do not need to reserve a permit, just fill out a day permit.

There is a Resort on Moose Lake, that offers a portage service, (Truck Service).

Just an option.

Mark

[Surface Tension]

Haven't been on Basswood in the Fall so go back to the basics for locating Fall eyes. You'll be looking for oxygen rich warm water piled on the shorelines or on the first break next to those shorelines. You won't see many leeches this time of year. Minnows are what the eyes are feeding on and that movement is what you have to follow. Have an assortment 1/8-3/8th oz jigs. The lighter jigs with a large minnow are perfect for the shallow water, shallow as in a couple ft of water and 3/8th oz jigs to work the break. You can catch eyes on any brand jig but when working rocky shorelines, humps and breaks you need a hook with a tip that won't curl over. Thats especially true now when the strike is going to be ultra-light and hook sets are less then ideal. I use Scenic Tackles Pro Series jigs. Back to the light bite. With the cooling water temps you have to slow down the presentation and stay as close to the eyes zone as possible, that'll be tight to the bottom most times. A pickup can have less resistance then a blade of grass or a pebble. You can't set the hook on every thing you feel and you have a short window of opportunity to get the hook set before Mr. Eye spits out your jig. Its finesse fishing with heightened awareness of feel, a fast decisions, and sharp hooks.

Thats not the only location and pattern that'll work but it one you can identify.

Reefs that top out into shallow water or break the surface are also good locations and again easy to find. Again, finesses them with jigs.