Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

Posted

My bad, I should have said you fish that area. I know you're a runner and gunner!!

Posted

Herky, that looks like a good shot too. You take good pictures. Your boy is a great subject though.

Keep the treasures, some day he will be big and really enjoy them.

Posted

Informal poll... For those of you catching fish regularly on the St. Croix, would you say:

A) I find fish with the fish finder and fish over them.

B) I use the fish finder to know I'm on fish, but then fish all around that area, regardless of what I see on the finder

C) I don't use a fish finder and just rely on trial/error, past experience with a location, and those areas that "look good"

Thanks,

David

Posted

I would say B&C with a little A mixed in.

Posted

Does anyone have a report of the river by Taylors Falls? Heading up there this weekend for camping and will be on the river Saturday for some fishing.

Thanks,

David

Posted

Informal poll... For those of you catching fish regularly on the St. Croix, would you say:

A) I find fish with the fish finder and fish over them.

B) I use the fish finder to know I'm on fish, but then fish all around that area, regardless of what I see on the finder

C) I don't use a fish finder and just rely on trial/error, past experience with a location, and those areas that "look good"

Thanks,

David

B and C, more C than B unless it's been a slow bite, then B. GREAT QUESTION BTW!

Turk

Posted

Thanks for the replies to the question about the fish finder use. I have to ask my follow up now. smile

If the fish finder is not used as much, then the question is "why not"? Is it because the fish and the boat are always moving, so easier/faster just to try to catch something first and because it would be too hard to stay right over them anyway?

Thanks again,

David

Posted

I can say that when fishing sharp drops I do not rely on my sonar to determine if there are fish below me. Fishfinders miss alot of fish on sharp breaks.

Posted

I can say that when fishing sharp drops I do not rely on my sonar to determine if there are fish below me. Fishfinders miss alot of fish on sharp breaks.

I just posted a similar response in another forum. Guy said he wasn't fishing down those breaks because he wasn't marking anything there. I think that unless the fish are real active (and up off the bottom) that you just don't see them on the graph.

Posted

I use my sonar more for depth and the contour below me. Marking fish is good but I've caught fish when I've marked none and have not had a bite when I mark fish.

Posted

what seems to work for me when locating fish on sharp drops is going up the sharp drop slow and when i see the possible target I'll give it another look from a angle pass but always from the deep to shallow because the sonars angle cone picks up better just my .02

Posted

I fished the St. Croix for the first time last sunday. The spots we caught fish we saw the fish on the graph. When we didnt see fish we didnt catch any.

Posted

I guess I rely on my sonar more than most to find fish and to determine how I will fish a spot, especially when rigging live bait over 15'. I do rely on my past outings and use that info to search out similar fishy looking areas, but I won't spend too much time if I don't see anything on the graphs. If I mark them on a point or turn, I'll cover a wide swath to hopefully see their domain on the structure. usually I can see how they are staging the area and keep my boat passes to a pretty tight area, sweeping back and forth over the fish.

When I do mark fish that look good, I'll rig over them as fast as possible, only slowing down if I can't get something to go right away. I feel it's easier for me to mark fish going faster. I like to keep an eye on the graphs on each sweep, see how the fish are responding, see if they are moving up or down the break. As pointed out, on sharp breaks and in shallow, you will need to spend more time to see what is up. I would say it's pretty rare for me to be catching multiple fish in over 20' and not show anything on the 2d graphs. SI sonar is genius IMO, cuts down on lots of dead spots. You can know what is under you and off to the sides pretty quickly.

When I'm trolling it is a completely different story. I like to mark fish, but it isn't usually a deal breaker. If I see some good clusters of fish, I lay down waypoints as I troll over to come back later with live bait if necessary.

Posted

Got out around 5:30, launched out of Prescott and headed up the Croix a ways. It was a little slow, but still got some nice fish. We ended the day with 9 keepers (8 saugers and 1 eye). There were quite a few shorts that hit the line as well. Had some nice 7" saugers tearing it up today. Got to get out with Andy and Garrett, always good times with good guys.

We were handling the river with crank baits and we were pretty productive.

Posted

a special thanks from me to sandman for hosting today. Nice to meet Andy as well.

Posted

Any time Garrett, was great having you in the boat. Thanks for that great Jerkey!! I'll have to get you out again and see if you can catch anything but the salad to go with my fish!! winkgrin

Posted

My wife and I Put in north of Stillwater(What a zoo,lumberjack days) yesterday morning. We got there at 6:20. One parking spot open and there was a pontoon putting in so we thought we were going to have to move on.

Two guys trying to put in a new pontoon. Put it in the water but couldnt get it off the trailer. Back it out, put it in, about 3 times then swithced driver and boater. Tried a couple more times nothing. Pulled it out,drove passed me said it was too shallow and good luck to me. I said thanks, thinking to myself now I have a parking spot grin

As I was backing in looked back and saw they were laughing because they forgot to take of the straps.. grincrazywhistle

We went north of the launch first and caught a bunch of smallies. Went down to town to pick up a couple people. Had to dodge all the big boats anchorerd in the river. Went south and didnt do to well. So we went back to the north. The women wanted to bobber fish, so eventually we found a spot with a bunch of minnows jumpin around. There we caught smallies,sunfish,suckers, and sheepies. We ran out of crawlers and went home. Went next to shore to grab a couple bobbers that got snagged. There were thousands of small minnows in there. It was cool,windy,rainy,sunny and eventually warm cool

First time on the river not fishing sturgeon.

Ron

Posted

I have an Eagle Cuda 168 that powers up good and seems to work great on simulate. It doesn't work on the water, so I think either the tranducer is bad or the cut in the cord to the transducer is affecting it. Anyway, if anyone wants it they can have it. First come first serve. I will trash it in a few days if no one wants it.

Tom

[email protected]

Posted

We were handling the river with crank baits and we were pretty productive.

Yeah went out this morning and put a hurting on the eyes boy they sure were hitting a #5 yellow iridescence, got a nice limit of eyes in the box handlining, fried them up for the group this evening and went over great, looking forward to a couple trips this week

Posted

Good report, thanks. Heading out this afternoon to test out some ideas. Hopefully find a few walters as well.

Posted

Anyone been fishing up north by St.Croix State Park? I'm heading up there this weekend looking for anything that bites.

Posted

We were out on the river by St. Croix State Park on Saturday. I talked to a couple guys who hit a couple walleye between 5 and 6 AM upstream a bit from the Wisconsin launch. We tried up there and didn't get anything, so we went down a few miles and anchored. We didn't get much until between 5-6 and then got into some small mouth bass (and suckers). One of the bass was *just* under 14 inches, so no keepers. We could only get them to bite on lindy rigs with whole night crawlers.

The water is *really* shallow (inches in places), so be careful. smile Watch where the big river cruise boats go.

David

Posted

I haven't been up there in in 8 or 10 years. Last time up in mid summer, you could easily walk down the middle of a fair amount of the river.

Posted

Are you planning on putting in on the Wisconsin side or the Minnesota side?

Posted

I'm not sure if the canoe is going to make the trip or not. I'll be shore fishing the MN side for sure.

Posted

Took my girls out last night. Had my daughters (12 & 3) and my great niece (12) out. First time fishing for the two 12 year olds. Second time in the boat for my dauther, first time ever for my niece. We started handlining to see if I could get some eyes and then my toddler had to go potty. Took her in and while they got snacks I tied up some bobber rods. My toddler didn't want to fish so just the girls did. After they missed a few fish they got the hang of it. My niece got 2 mooneyes and my daughter got 1 mooneye and a bass. They love the boat, the couldn't stop talking about how pretty it was on the river and best of all.....They LOVED the FISHING!!!!! My niece said "I think I found a new hobby". I loved hearing and had a grin ear to ear all they way home as they talked about it the whole way and were showing each other the pics and vids they took on their cameras.

One of the best outings I've ever had and the best part is they can't wait to go again!!

Posted

Great job Shane. Not many more "Open Seats" left in your boat huh? grin

Glad the girls had a good time.

Posted

A group of us are putting in at osceola landing with the canoes this weekend and we'll be heading downstream about 3-5 miles to setup camp. Any info/advice on fishing this section of the river? Any walleyes in this section? We were in there last year and fished the Soo Line Swing Bridge area and wll we caught were some suckers fishing off the bottom from shore. Any info on this section would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

Posted

Great outing Sandmannd! It really is something special to see the excitement in kids as they get hooked on fishing and being out on the water.

Quetico - There are some sand/weed bars north and south of the MN-side interstate launch where I've seen people casting out into the deeper water and catching fish. It gets pretty busy right by the launch, although that is one of the deeper areas along that stretch, so might be good if you can stay away from all the canoe action.

David

Posted

My niece said "I think I found a new hobby".

One of the best outings I've ever had and the best part is they can't wait to go again!!

Congrats! That's something really cool.

Turk

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
    • monstermoose78
      Saturday is the first day get to hunt !! Woohoo
    • smurfy
      Nice fish bud, first one?
    • Kettle
    • Kettle
      Went up to the Rainy for the last day of catch and release walleye. Rough weather. I could find walleye but they didn't cooperate. Only got one walleye 2 pike and a dinosaur on walleye tackle. 81 minute fight. 58", figured around 45 lbsIMG_9579.HEICIMG_9579.HEIC
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  For the vast majority of anglers, ice fishing is over for the year, and what a great year it was.  You may hear of a few hardcore ice guides still gaining access in places targeting pike, but overall, we will now start watching for open holes appearing in the ice, the Rainy River making its presence known outside the Lighthouse Gap and satellite images from clear days showing progress up until the MN Fishing Opener.     The spring walleye season is complete as of April 14th.  As far as the lake goes, the focus now is pike up until the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 10th.     Ditches are running and soon bays will pop open enabling anglers to target huge pike while they head to spawning areas.  Pike fishing is year round on Lake of the Woods and can be excellent during the spring in back bays.   Some anglers will use dead bait much like they do on a tip up.  Others will cast spoons or troll crankbaits.  Pike fishing in the back secluded bays along the south shore of Lake of the Woods offers a unique fishing opportunity you don't need a big boat for and it can produce trophy sized pike.   The limit of pike on the Minnesota side of Lake of the Woods is a daily limit of 3, with all pike 30 - 40 inches having to be released.  An angler is allowed one trophy pike over 40 inches per day.  Some anglers choose to get measurements, take some pictures, release the fish and get a graphite mount.  All good options. On the Rainy River...  The spring walleye season is in the books!  Overall, big numbers of walleyes caught and released on the Rainy River (along with some absolute giants).  Thank you to all who traveled up, had patience with some long lines, helped out others and shared in this spring tradition of catching walleyes (and sturgeon).    A sincere thank you to all who help this spring tradition happen behind the scenes.  Koochiching County did a great job clearing ice from the boat ramps on the river as soon as possible.  Many agencies work together to make this tradition safe, respectful and enjoyable.  Again, thank you.   The Wheeler's Point boat ramp at the mouth of the Rainy River located 12 miles north of Baudette is open.  Thank you to a number of resort owners combined with some visitors in boats working together to drill holes, make waves, and coax the last remaining stubborn ice away from the ramp.  It is teamwork like this that makes the resort / fishing community in these parts special.   Initial reports for sturgeon are excellent.  Good numbers being caught and released.  Anchored up in a hole or on the slope of a hole with a no roll sinker and sturgeon rig is the ticket.  A sturgeon rig is about an 18 inch leader with a 3/0 or 4/0 circle hook loaded with crawlers or crawlers and emerald shiners.  Local resorts and bait shops have all the equipment you need.     Sturgeon fishing is open through May 15th.  Here are the specific seasons for sturgeon fishing...   -Catch and Release Season: May 8th – May 15th and October 1 – April 23rd. -Harvest Season: April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – September 30. -Closed Season: May 16th – June 30th. Up at the Northwest Angle...  With many areas of open water showing up along with some heaves and cracks, travel on the ice up at the Angle is pretty much finished up.  You may see a local in an airboat which can traverse over both ice and open water delivering mail to the Oak Island post office or bringing supplies to a resort, but the watch for open water is on.   For now, folks will be fishing pike and sturgeon and paying attention to aerial images of open water and ice out on the lake until the MN Fishing Opener on May 10th.  Time to make plans!  For more information on spring and summer fishing, visit fishingminnesota.com.  
    • leech~~
      If you do ever get ahold of him. Also suggest he make sure his battery is fully charged. If it's been sitting unused all winter, it might have enough to light it up but not run it so it shuts off.   Also, let us know what he does find out if he gets it fixed it might help someone else. 👍
    • PSU
      Thank you very much for your feedback Leech and Kettle. Very tough for me to help the neighbor when he doesn't respond to my messages.    Oh well, but thanks again for your help. 
    • Wanderer
      OnX in your hands?  Geez… nobody’s safe anymore! 😂   Need the waypoints for the deer tick hotspots? 
    • leech~~
      Speaking of the river. Got my onX app.  I might have to ride my dualsport up and check out that state land on the otherside to sluice up a bird!  🤣
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.