Garden and points north

[srj]

Is there any kind of trolling bite happening on the north side of Big Traverse or is the south side and mid lake the place to be? As I don't use downriggers for pulling plugs it's a good bit easier if I can fish 30-33 feet rather than the 35 and deeper stuff. Thanks for any replies.

[fiskyknut]

Last 3 times I was out on the pond we fished the NW end of Big Traverse with lures on leadcore and snapweights. This past Sunday we did'nt get quite as many big fish as the past 2 outings up that way but we sure did get plenty of fish for eating and for releasing. Been best for us in 31-32 foot.<P>Fisky<P>

[srj]

Thanks Fisky. I can't resist bouncing a spinner/crawler on the reefs before pulling cranks and knowing there are some fish in the deep up north helps a lot. My lady is just getting back into fishing and hasn't seen the north side of Big Traverse yet. I told her the beaches look just like Bermuda. Hopefully the bite will keep her from wanting to beachcomb!

[fiskyknut]

Yepper those beaches are nice out that way, no palm trees or cabanas though. Been a while since I plied the rocks but the last trip to 12 mile we hammered fish on BB/spinner combos using crawlers and leeches, with alot of big ones thrown back. I've heard thru the grapevine up here both Arnesons and 12 mile are still putting out fish large and small in good numbers. I'm off to the Red on Friday for a day of Cat'n and hope to be on the pond Saturday or Sunday.<P>Good luck and let us know how it went.<P>Fisky

[srj]

Fisky, We are only fishing Thursday so I'll post on Friday. Good luck with Mr Whiskers. Love the way they pull!!! We were in Sioux Lookout for a few days last week--spent part of two days jigging lakers. On reasonably light tackle their fight reminds me quite a bit of similar size cats. Just not quite as pretty.

[Kingfisher]

srj, We were out yesterday on some of the reefs out from Rocky Point Resort. We fished just off to the side of the reefs in 28 to 32 ft. of water using 1 1/2 oz bouncers, hammered gold spinners, crawlers on a harness. We caught and released about 24 walleye from 20" to 29", kept 12 eaters. Good luck.

[srj]

Sounds like you had an awesome outing Kingfisher. We'll be launching outa Arnesens too. It's my favorite way to head across the bay--usually pull some bait on Arnesens, then 12 mile or the north humps then straight to Starren--although a bite like you had can cause a quick change of plans! I was on that end of the lake last on the 17th--forecast like tomorrows-82 and light east wind. The light east wind ended up around 20-30. Some real pretty hissers rolling. Did keep the boat traffic down. And didn't make it off Arnesens. Thanks for the report.

[srj]

Sure wish I was sittin at the tiller instead of the keyboard! Here's the report. Didn't run north as my lady's pinched neck was acting up and I thought the east wind might kick up. Stayed on the south side reefs-mostly Arnesens-and caught around 25. Had 8 or so over the slot. My lady caught her 3 biggest to date and the biggest of the day, around 6 lbs. I think she's hooked. Pulled bouncers and spinners-the fish were scattered but willing. Radio traffic seemed like the north side was slow and the area north of the gap was ok for the downriggin boats. Went to pull plugs around 1:00 before leaving but really couldn't find a decent bunch to fish out north of Long Pt. There were several charters spread out--think they were searching too. Stayed Wed night at the Walleye Retreat-mellow place.<BR>Good luck to all.

[Kingfisher]

srj, Good to hear you had a good day fishing the reefs. The guys fishing next to us Tuesday, said that on Monday they couldn't catch a fish, but on Tuesday we all caught fish.