Sunday at Prior Lake (breaking the rules)

[Muskieguy]

Took the wife out to Prior Lake to fish for Crappies and Sunnies and ran into a bunch of very rude people/law breakers. One lady was standing in the only empty trailer spot "saving" it for her hubby after he launched the boat(they were about 4th in line). I told her these spots were first come first serve and she rudely agreed and said she was there first...(I meant FCFS for trucks and trailers) Can she do this???????

Also, while panfishing in a small bay a bass boat with 3 teens trolled through, they were flipping texas rigged plastics under docks and into shallow water ( < 2 feet). I asked them what they were fishing for and one said with a sly smile, "Northerns". I should have called the DNR but didn't have my cell phone. (stolen from my truck at opener on Mille Lacs, but that is another story).

BTW, we caught many very nice sized Sunnies in the shallow timber using crappie nuggets. All were released but would have made a nice meal.

Muskieguy

[Crawlerman]

I hate people like that. That is why I will never fish lakes like Prior on the weekend. Too much headache.

As far as the "northern" fisherman; I also see that all the time. On Walleye opener I saw someone on Tanners in one of those little 17' fancy schmancy "rangers" with a 225 hp merc on it. For one.. Tanners has a 10 MPH speed ordinance on it. These wahoos decided to go FULL THROTTLE and buzz around the lake in tight circles; they had so much of an excess of power on the boat it never even had time to plane. Then they decided to go "fishing" Which I could defiantly tell was intended for bass; as they pulled out their $200 flippin sticks and started throwing worms into the weeds. And the odd thing was the Sheriffs waterpatrol was NOT on the lake, when they are normally on the water ALL the time there. I guess he must have been outpatroling elsewheres... Why I didn't call water patrol on Mr "Jimmy Houston" I'll never know.. prally because I didn't want to hassle with it; and was in kind of a hurry to get home.

[TRZ]

some people can really ruin the outdoors.

[Guest]

Hey Muskiguy,

You should have given that lady the "Randy Moss" and just bumped her right out of that parking spot.

Not sure where some people get the nerve to even pull a stunt like that. I had it happen to me at Lake Marion last year.

Good luck!!

[Yaeger Guide]

Crawlerman,

I agree with everything stated here...just don't use Jimmy Houston's name. We all know he wouldn't be breaking the rules. I know it was in reference to the bassers.

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God bless,
Judd Yaeger
Yaeger Guides (Twin Cities Guides) www.yaegerweb.com/guide

[fishermann222]

I cant stand it when people pre-fish for any species like that, however, this weekend we were walleye fishing in the foil pitching jigs and minnows looked like we were bass fishing but we managed to pull two eyes and take second in the tournament. So when u see people fishing in shallow water dont always assume bass fishing, our fish were in 4-6 feet, and the guys I know on tonka right now are slammin the eyes in the middle of the day under docks. sounds stupid but its a strange bite right now. If its obvious I say call the DNR, but dont judge if you are not TOTALLY sure. As far as the parking spots, what a @#$## thinking she can save the spot like that. U should have pulled right in there.

[icehousebob]

My new fishing companions are my cell phone and a disposable camera, in a zip lock bag. Taped in my tackle box are these phone numbers--Hennepin Co. Water Patrol-952-471-8528, and Turn In Poachers-1-800-652-9093. A couple of pictures of violators would sure help the enforcement agencies, especially if you can get the boat numbers. Everyone on the lake with a cell phone can be like an extra set of eyes for law enforcement. The jerks and buttheads do it because they can get away with it. Getting them busted will take all the fun out of it for them. I'll get off my soapbox now.

[sandman469ss]

As far as the lady goes, I would have pulled into the parking spot and MADE her move. If she didn’t, I’d have sat there and blocked it and called the sheriff. People better start minding their Ps & Qs at the end of the month, cause they may find themselves staring down the barrel of her husband’s gun in that situation. Support the law, and pack just to protect myself from said idiots.

Fisherman, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Read this yesterday, and figured I better cool off before posting.

Crawler, for someone who’s posted so many times over a span of a year, your forum etiquette/attitude sucks! 860+ posts in a year, your boat must have come with a computer and ISP, how do you get any fishing done. It’s nice to know you think I have a fancy smancy boat, although I only sport a 115hp and no computer. A Ranger has to be at least a 20 footer to sport a 225hp by the way. To put all Ranger owners in the same category as the wahoos you mentioned, just shows you’re ignorance. Maybe it’s a jealousy thing, maybe just stupidity, but there are a lot of good fisherman on this forum, me being one, that find those comments stupid. I remodeled 3 hell holes over a 4 year period, living in crap, just to buy my Ranger, and I don’t go out buzzin everybody on the lake when I go out, I obey the law. I also buy my $200 dollar flippin sticks at WalMart or Fleet Farm, for about $35. Are you one of those guys that follow me around all day assuming I know where the fish are because I drive a bass boat and you can’t find the fish yourself? Hope I run across you stranded in the middle of the lake sometime, cause I’d pee in your boat before I’d tow a fisherman with your attitude, back with my rig.

As for anyone KNOWING what someone is fishing for, I’m throwing NOTHING BUT so called bass lures right now(buzzbaits, worms, spoons) into areas where you’d think I was fishing bass. And I’m targeting northern and walleye. Bass boat owners do fish for more than bass! The waterpatrol is busy enough without 40 people calling & saying “I think this guys targeting fish out of season”(said in Lisa Simpson voice). Fact is, once northern opens, I could throw anything in my box, including some of the muskie lures, and if I didn’t have a fish in the livewell, any CO would be hard pressed to give a ticket.
Now, if you see them catch and keep, grab the phone, they deserve to have all their equipment confiscated. Just don’t bug them because you THINK, - KNOW.

I apologize in advance for any comments made that offend REAL honest fishermen.
Getting off my soapbox now!

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Takin it easy! & if it’s easy, I’ll take it twice!

[This message has been edited by sandman469ss (edited 05-20-2003).]

[Crawlerman]

I didn't mean to offend anyone.. and I'm sorry I used a specific name of a Pro. What I guess I was getting at is the people who try to "copy" the pros without any sence of ettiqute or lawfulness. Like I said.. he was flipping full throttle on a small lake that had a 10mph speed ordinace on it.

As far as the boat goes; I saw the specific HP on it. It WAS a 17' footer and had a 225 on it. Maybe they don't come like that stock; but there are yahoo's out there that will "upgrade" them. I have also seen people slap 60 and 75 hp motors on 14 footers before.......

And no.. it wasn't a personal attack on anyone.

I have a very boring job and have internet acess, this place keeps me sane when I cannot fish.

I have a little 14' lund with a 20 hp Johnson, and have found that I can get it going near 30-35 MPH when I am alone, which for most of the lakes around here is plenty for anyones needs. Mille Lacs and Minetonka I can see waranting a boat like that.. and I don't have a problem with 18-20' that have 115 hp engines on them. It's when someone "soups up" a craft like that, to purposley piss people off in small lakes is what angers me, and again, it's not meant to attack anyone in person.

[jegerjack]

Crawlerman, I don't think you need to apologize. Heck, I would feel the same way if it happened to me. I Some people here are taking your rant a bit to personally.Me thinks some one else's attitude should be questioned if they will not help some one out that has boat troubles. By the way Crawler, could you give me the name of you ISP, hehe........

JegerJack

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"What did the old man trade for these guys, a used puck bag?"

[sandman469ss]

Muskie, Crawler,

I apologize. Yes there are idiots out there that soup up their boats and go racing around. I've had skiers buzz between me and the shoreline where I could just about cast and hit shore. I let the first pass go, but not the 2nd. Those individuals did find a pi$$ed off fisherman that ran em down. Whole fricken lake(Tonka), and they're buzzin between me and shore. 2 older gentlemen in their late 50s, obviously didn't understand that there is a no wake zone from shore, much less the minimum distance between boats.
They definitely knew when I got done. There comes a point when sometimes you have to stand up for your rights because by the time the CO or waterpatrol get there, it's a he said she said kinda deal.
I'm not a mean guy, and I wouldn't strand anyone on a lake. I'm always willing to lend a guy a hand if they need it, and even if they don't, whether it's loading/unloading, getting their motor running, or whatever. But some people's children(even if they are 50) just turned out rude, and I don't have to put up with it.

I do still stand on the fact that I could be throwing anything this time of year, and a CO would have a hard time making a ticket stick. Every fisherman has their own little trick bag, and if a CO were to tell me I can't use some of mine, I'd ask him where it says in the regs, and if he couldn't show me, then I'm not breaking the rules. I don't go breaking the law, heck, I don't even push the gray areas like some, but you can get an answer from one, that another one will say the total opposite on Sundays and Thursdays. Each CO interprets the gray their own way, doesn't mean they are right, but then, I may not be wrong either.
And Muskie, I have seen and caught several pike in less than 2 feet. Actually a 40 incher in a 1 1/2'. After pike are done spawning, they look for bait fish, and the muskie spawn after pike, so their easiest food is the muskie fry. If the weather pushes the baitfish in shallow, that's where the pike are gonna be. I'll even run my bait onto shore and start my retrieve with it on dry land, a tactic that consistantly has had pike nail it shallow.

Fish on!

Why do all my posts look like a book, I need a different job.

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Takin it easy! & if it’s easy, I’ll take it twice!

[This message has been edited by sandman469ss (edited 05-20-2003).]

[DTro]

I agree 100% that there are some real idiots out there. In fact I am contemplating selling my "probably too large for the river" boat to downgrade so I can spend more time on the river away from these idiots (leave me alone). I also agree with the new conceal carry law however guys like sandman scare me. Sandman what happens when you're chasing these idiots around tonka and your packin? Once an idiot always an idiot. Ignore them, the stress saved will add years to your life.

[Muskieguy]

Wow, Sandman, you cooled off first before you posted your response?!? Would have hated to see your post if you didn't cool off. I don't think Crawler was taking a shot at you personally, but you definitely took at shot at him. You are a terrible person if you intentionally leave someone stranded on the lake and who knows YOU might need a tow some day. Ever heard of Karma? I too throw some multipurpose lures for pike: spinnerbaits, cranks etc...but never in my day have I heard about someone catching pike in less than 2 feet of water, flipping a texas rigged lizard into downed tree branches and stumps. That too me is targeting bass!! And I would guess that a CO would at least give you a warning. I managed to CPR some nice pike on Saturday throwing a crank in 15ft of water. Lots of Pike...NOT ONE BASS...now I wonder how those teens did...probably the other way around..Lots of Bass...NOT ONE PIKE!!!

Something Stinks Here!!!

Muskieguy...

[Guest]

"never in my day have I heard about someone catching pike in less than 2 feet of water, flipping a texas rigged lizard into downed tree branches and stumps."

Come to Platte Lake in Morrison Cty and do it yourself if you want. Just bring a lot of weights, hooks, and lizards cause your going to get bit off a lot. Ohh and please keep a limit of pike for everyone on board.

[Guest]

Please keep 2 limits of bass, pike, and muskies (because nobody else does) so the crappie and walleye can prosper. Who's giving me a guided trip on spring the "best" lake in Scott Co.

[sandman469ss]

Like I said, everyone has tricks.

Dtro,

I’m the last person you should be scared of, well, maybe.
I grew up with a Nam vet/sheriff’s deputy for a father.
Learned to shoot a 357 & 9 at a young age. I qualified expert marksman with an M16 & 45 in the service.
I’m not one of the idiots, and I don’t carry all the time, especially when I’m fishing. I know the ramifications of even drawing a weapon without good reason, and the only good reason to me, is if my life, or an innocents life is threatened and there is no reasoning your way out.
If drawn upon, then, and ONLY then, should you be scared of little ol me. They better make the first shot count or unload the clip, cause I DON’T miss. The gun law is good, but don’t kid yourself, there are going to be problems.

On a lighter note, I never understood the BIG motor thing. Even Tonka has a 40mph speed limit. What’s a 250hp Merc good for in Minnesota?

You guys that got the wrong impression of me are welcome to jump in my boat for a day. The fish are usually uncooperative, the pee cans too small, and there’s a lot of cussin, but other than that, the beers cold, my depth finder marks ½ naked women instead of fish (depending on the lake), and anytime on the water soakin up the sun away from it all is good.

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Takin it easy! & if it’s easy, I’ll take it twice!

[DTro]

sandman I stand corrected, and I appreciate your time spent in the service THANK YOU.

However I still think, once an idiot always an idiot.

[sandman469ss]

SO DO I!
I have an older brother that was once, and yep, he still is!
I still love him though.

& You're welcome, thanks!

Good luck to everyone this wknd.
May your beer stay cold, your bait slimy, and the women friendly.

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Takin it easy! & if it’s easy, I’ll take it twice!

[This message has been edited by sandman469ss (edited 05-22-2003).]