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.

Ely - Babbitt Fishing Reports - Lake Conditions Too.


Recommended Posts

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Looks like you guys did good this weekend. smile

What Suits are you "twins" wearing? confused

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys; hopefully you get some days in this winter too.

Striker Lites are the suits.

Spending half the day open holing it in single digit temps is about the breakpoint to me for going one more step warmer in the Striker line of suits. Otherwise riding the sled and being in and out of the house it does the job fine in near zero temps.

With the passing of the front today the fish changed their mood quite a bit. Lots of lookers but no biters for us. Not surprised. Maybe I should've stopped and got some live bait for today.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sunday was tougher, as expected for the day after a front moves through. I ended up with two fish, a 3 and a 5, both on live bait set rigs. Had one really heavy fish show up on the Vex 5 feet below the ice. Reeled up to it, it hit, I set the hook into what felt like a rock, and three seconds later the fish was off.

I've worn my Striker LITE suit in below zero temps out in the open in total comfort, even with some wind. It's roomy enough that I can layer properly, unlike the last suit I had, and when things get really extreme the heavier Striker suit is the warmest I've ever worn. I've had the heavier suit out in -20 with breeze and it is an excellent performer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sunday was tougher, as expected for the day after a front moves through. I ended up with two fish, a 3 and a 5, both on live bait set rigs. Had one really heavy fish show up on the Vex 5 feet below the ice. Reeled up to it, it hit, I set the hook into what felt like a rock, and three seconds later the fish was off.

I've worn my Striker LITE suit in below zero temps out in the open in total comfort, even with some wind. It's roomy enough that I can layer properly, unlike the last suit I had, and when things get really extreme the heavier Striker suit is the warmest I've ever worn. I've had the heavier suit out in -20 with breeze and it is an excellent performer.

Steve, I noticed in some of your photos that you use the type of tip-up that allows you to use a rod and reel with it. It appears you use both the HT Enterprises Ice Rigger and the Clam Arctic Warrior. Do you have a preference for either, any thoughts on which one I should purchase?

Thanks...you can PM if you don't want to publicly say anything.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

GG, I just this year started transitioning away from tip-ups into standard baitcasting live/dead bait rigs with flag assist.

Why? Well, my fingers get colder than they used to when I was a younger man, and many of my clients don't know much about tip-ups, so there was a pretty steep learning curve for them. Not so with rod/reel rigs.

I like the Arctic Warriors. They are metal construction and built to last. I also like the HT you mentioned. I'd suggest you buy one of both and see which you prefer. Each seems to have advantages and disadvantages. If you buy one of each and experiment, you'll not be out much $, and it'll be easy for you to figure out which you prefer. In my case, I have to decide which I like best and than buy about six of them, so the $ outlay is higher. Still not sure which I like best.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have never liked using a tip-up just because I would rather fight the fish with a rod instead of my hands. It just seemed more fun to me. I would use them when I wanted to be spread out. Now thanks to you gentlemen I can have my cake and eat it too. Living and learning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mike, here's a look at the Arctic Warrior setup. The hole cover is important, for obvious reasons. There are other tip-up/rod-reel combo aids that are hard plastic and cover the hole, similar to thermal tip-ups, but if memory serves they are a bit pricy, and I already had 10 hole covers for my tip-ups.

The Arctic Warrior requires you to velcro strap on a bracket that fits on the AW frame and allows the rod to pivot. The HT does not. I didn't take a closeup shot of the HT Tracy was using on opener, but it's visible in one of the pics of him.

The thing I like best about the AW is the rugged metal construction and durability. The thing I like best about the HTs is that you don't need to make any addition to the rod/reel combo. With the baitcaster in freespool, you just bring the line between the reel and first rod guide down to a little plastic pincher, and the deeper you put it in the pincher the harder the tug it takes to release.

The AW flag has a hook on the tip of the flag wire that fits in a slot on the metal bracket you mount on the rod. With the baitcaster in freespool and with the rod able to pivot, the rod will drop a foot or so when the fish takes the bait, and that releases the flag.

I think I'll prefer the HT because of the lack of setup required, and will take care when storing/moving/handling not to be too rough on them. But I'll continue to use the two AWs I've got, as well.

Who knows, in the end I may be selling 14 tip-ups. smile

full-635-28944-arcticwarrior.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Picked up an AW yesterday....really like the way it sets up pretty easily. As long as you balance the outfit your going to be using it with before hand it makes it pretty easy. Now I just have to get up to Bside to field test it frown

PS:Have it setup with my one and only JM laker rod and ambassadeur (sp) 5500. It will take some kind of peformance to get me to abandon my Beaver Dam tho grin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i fish pro tip ups are pretty slick too. one downfall is that they are bulky. i caught the laker in my avatar using one.

full-21032-29020-cut_outwithrodandlogo.j

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Steve,

Doesn't that baitcaster get a nasty backlash when the fish is taking line?

Not if the spool is set to the correct tension. Just enough tension to prevent an overrun, not enough so the fish feels much weight.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Steve,careful with those background island shots...........we'll be fishing your "hotspots" in no time.Thanks for all your pictures and endless knowledge you contribute to this site!!!!!!!!!!!c63

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Steve,careful with those background island shots...........we'll be fishing your "hotspots" in no time.Thanks for all your pictures and endless knowledge you contribute to this site!!!!!!!!!!!c63
Hey he's smarter then that! I'm sure he just stopped to take the picture because the lighting was good there for the shot! grin
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished burntside Saturday got 4 fish from 11-12 in 27 fow. Was fishing a step drop that goes from 20-80 really quick like. All fish caught on a tiny bead headed nypmh fly with 4 pound test. Site fished Pike in the afternoon over a huge boulder got a few nice ones, now to find moms pickled nordern recipe. Fished slowbank today missed about 10 flags managed 2 nice 4-5 pounders on my favorite luhr jensen red polka dot jig.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was just wondering how to get in to twin lakes off of burnside. Do you have to take the river all the way up? Lastly how's the crappie fishing in there? Thanks for any info!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Crappies are OK on East Twin, not as much on West Twin. Size isn't too big, but big enough to eat for sure. I know of no way to get there other than up the Dead River from Burntside or back down to it off the Echo Trail. It's part of the staked snowmobile route. Nowhere I know of to park where the snowmobile trail crosses the Echo.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Crappies are starting to turn on big time. Had 34 inches this morning where I was fishing with snow falling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Ice is starting to break away from the shoreline. Things happen fast after that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hello all -

Going to be on Birch next week for 5 days. Seems like ice is out - although I don't know for sure. Anyone been by to see?

Any recommendations for early season patterns? I'll post a report once I get back. Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ice went out yesterday. Spend time where the rivers come in - Birch River, Dunka and Stony.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks finnbay. Seems to me like those areas get a lot of fishing attention. Was on the lake for a week last year same time and did really well on some of the mainlake points. Shallower than you would think. But water will be colder this year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Finnbay, was that you that I ran into on the trails near by the Plantation ski trail on May 13th? I was on a mountain bike.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 :)

    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The focus for many this week is the ongoing deer hunting season which is a big tradition in these parts, even for avid walleye anglers.  There were some that either already harvested their deer or are more into catching fall walleyes than hunting.     Those that are fishing are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and excellent walleye and sauger bite that is happening across the lake.  Cold weather is in the forecast in the upcoming days and weeks so that is also getting many excited. The best depths on the south end of LOW are 22-28 feet of water.     Vertical jigging with frozen emerald shiners is catching most of the walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch.  Depending upon where on the lake you are fishing, some slots and big trophies are in the mix as well, but most reports are talking about good numbers of eaters.    Jumbo perch are coming in good numbers this fall which will serve ice anglers well.  Watch out for an occasional pike or even lake sturgeon mixed in with the walleyes.      There are good numbers of walleyes and saugers across the south shore which is setting up nicely for early ice.   On the Rainy River...  There continues to be good numbers of shiners in the river, and consequently, there are good walleyes in the river as well.     Walleyes along with saugers, pike and some sturgeon are coming in up and down the river.  Most walleyes are being caught in 10-25 feet of water in various stretches of the river.   Jigging with live or frozen emerald shiners is the key. Some anglers are also still slow trolling crankbaits upstream to cover more ground and find fish. Both methods are producing solid results. Sturgeon fishing remains strong.  The catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is open into the spring when it changes to the "keep season" on April 24th. Up at the NW Angle...  As temps are getting colder, most are in the woods hunting and not fall fishing, however, for those who bundle up, fishing continues to be excellent.     A nice mixed bag with walleyes, saugers, perch, pike and crappies being caught. Very good muskie fishing with the colder water temps and shorter days.  Some big fish and some good numbers are being caught amongst the islands.  Both casting and trolling is getting it done.  
    • gimruis
      I hunt in the rifle zone so I don't have a need to use a shotgun to hunt deer, but I would be looking at this if there was ever a need to.   There could be state legislation introduced next summer that eliminates the shotgun zone completely.  It has bipartisan support.  Wisconsin removed theirs years ago and MN is usually later to follow.  They've tried to pass it more than once and it came up just short both times.  Probably just a matter of time.
    • Wanderer
      Oh, h e l l no! 
    • leech~~
      Screw that, here's whatch need!  😆   Power-Shok Rifled Slug 10 Gauge 766 Grain Grain Weight: 766 Shotshell Length: 3-1/2in / 89mm Muzzle Velocity: 1280
    • Wanderer
      20 ga has become a real popular deer round in the last 5 or so years.  The rifled barrels are zinging those sabot slugs with rifle like accuracy out to 100 yards easily.  Some go so far as dialing in for a 200 yard shot but really, by 150 they’re falling off pretty low.   I have a single shot Ultraslug in 20 ga that shoots really well at 100 yards.  Most everyone I know that has bought a slug gun lately has gotten the Savage 220 in 20ga.  Problem can be finding the shells you want.
    • leech~~
      My son always bugs me about getting a nice light over-under 20ga for grouse hunting.  I say Heck no, I'm getting a 3 1/2" 10ga so I can put as much lead in the air that I can!!     So, I'm keeping my 12ga.  
    • 11-87
      That’s almost exactly what I was thinking.  Have slug barrels for both   One for turkey and one for deer.      I have a 20ga mosseberg as well. (Combo came with the scope but never used.   I always liked the 12 better
    • leech~~
      Wanderer is right on the money and covered it well.  I was wondering too if you had a slug barrel for one of your guns?  If so you could make that your slug gun with a scope, and the other your turkey gun with the Red dot.  As you can afford it. 
    • Wanderer
      Kinda depends on if you want magnification or quick target acquisition.   More magnification options and better accuracy with a scope.  You get what you pay for too so get comfortable with a budget for one.  Tasco and Bushnell work but I find they lose their zero easier, have low contrast and don’t gather light well in low light conditions.  That said, I’m still using one I haven’t replaced yet.  Vortex has been the hot brand for the past several years for bang for the buck.  Good products.  Nothing beats Swarovski though.  Huge dough for those.  Burris is another decent option.   There are some specific models for shotgun/slug hunting in the economy brands and bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticles.  Based on experience I’d recommend not falling for that marketing ploy.   Red dots are usually lower magnification and easier to get on target.  Reasonably accurate but don’t do well with definition, like searching the brush for your target.  I put a HAWKE red dot on a .22 for squirrels and it’s been good.  For turkey, that’s probably the route I’d go.     If your slug shots are normally not too far and too brushy, I’d think a red dot could work there too if you’re only buying 1 scope.  You’ll be better off dimming the reticle to the lowest setting you can easily use to not over shine the target and get a finer aim point.   If you don’t have a slug barrel, you might appreciate one of those.  I had a browning with a smoothbore slug barrel that shot Brenneke 2-3/4 inch well.  The 11-87 would well fitted with a cantelever rifled barrel. 
    • 11-87
      Looking for recommendations on scope or red dot    I basically hunt turkey and whitetail, live in southern MN. So it’s all deer/ shotgun    looking to add a scope/ red dot as my eyes don’t work like they used to to with the open sights.    my gun options are 11/87 12. Browning BPS 12    not looking for the most expensive or the cheapest    pros and cons of one over the other
×
×
  • 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.