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Minnetonka conditions


markkstanley

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Lake temp 42 degrees in main lake - secluded bays and channels 40 degrees. Walleyes hanging at the bottom of breaks off main lake structure 20 to 30ft. Caught a couple 18s trolling 12 to 15ft. Also noticed nice arcs suspended over 40 ft to 50ft depths anywhere from 20ft to 30ft down. Trolled a bit but nothing bit so not sure if it was carp,eyes or pike. No big walleyes came out to play. Fish I did catch were caught on a minnow rap perch color 135ft back at about 1.2 mph. Lots of skim ice in the shallow water this morning but the forecast looks good for another two weeks of open water.

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Sounds like if it's going to POP it's going to be this weekend. I'll be out for the first time all year on Tonka this Sunday and will post. Would love to hit the East where you report from Mark but lack of time on the water I'll be hitting teh west side haunts that produced in past falls. Spots just happen to be main lake spikes off weed flats so thanks for the updates. Don't have time for pulling plugs so I'll be jigging. Love this last week of soft water. Nothing like pulling one of those big girls off the bottom and seeing it for the first time in that black water. By the way, with Tonka Bait down and the bait options at the gas station on 7 on the don't make me laugh side, can anyone tell me if the bait at the gas station on 5 is ok. Just looking for good sized fatheadss and mid- sized Suckers. Mark, how did the X-Raps work for you on ML this fall. I have so much $$ tied up in HJ+ that I hate to start down a new line of baits. I went minow Raps last year and haven't used them much... yet.

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Mark,

I have been trying some shoreline wade fishing but have not had much luck as of lately. I was wondering if you know if Minnetonka gets any shallow walleyes at night? Or is it better to fish by boat? I have just had the itch to get some wade fishing in. I have had a hard time finding public shoreline to access the lake. I do have waders so if I need I can wade out a bit to get to spots. If you would be willing to share some knowledge of where a guy could get some access to some shallow water walleye haunts it would be greatly appreciated. My email is [email protected]. thank you!

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The Xraps worked. They are a certain guide's go to now. Hate to break it to you CCow but you'll need to pony up some more $$. Tey also work well on Tonka for channel trolling. Must haves are perch and clown colors.

As for shore wading it should work in areas with a decent inside weed edge flat but I don't know of anyone doing it. A couple of guys did real well off lighted marina docks last season. Probably need to get permission from the owner to fish them though.

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I know, JH made a guest appearance on another website and dropped the X-rap report a few weeks ago. I'll be making what will probably be my last run later today and I'll post after. Best of luck on the November plug fest. Plan to get back out there more oftern in years to come after my kids get older.

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I fish with JH every fall and he was using Xraps two years ago. On my trip last fall we caught the majority of our fish on Xraps but I was sworn to secrecy. He has since fessed up. Number 10 has been the best size but the larger size up has put a few fish in th eboat too.

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Hey there, I haven't ever fished this late in the season on open water on Tonka. Latest I ever fished was later Oct. and I was doing ok in really deep water off reefs and mid lake structure. Is this still the ticket for daytime eyes? I was thinking of hitting Excelsior and points west early this week as it's looking like nice weather.

---Zdaddy

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Last night managed to miss three nice fish. I always have issues with good hook set % with jigs this time of year on Tonka. All three fish moved very little when I slammed the northland home. All were on for about 5 seconds. First two with 6lb mono and last was with Crystal FL with Floro leader. Fish were there in typical Tonka fashion for me. They come up from the depths to the weed end, go nuts for 30 to 40 minutes and head back down to the deep. Drop on main lake structure. Sharpest "corner" of the structure. Had to crews structure at prime time to mark the fish as they're making their move was key. Hope to make it out one more time but Tuesday promises to bring big wing with teh nice temps so we'll see. A ton of folks out pounding the water for toothie critters. Mark, thanks for sharing on the x-rap. You or James been running any Minnow raps. I'm sure it will eventually finds it's nitch. Can't beat the nutral boyancy of the X and HJ this time of year though.

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I've been experimenting with minnow raps this fall and am sold on them. I usually troll HJs on Tonka but the minnow raps have been outproducing HJs hands down. They worked well on Mille Lacs too.

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