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.

Spearfishing - Where are you now?


MJ1657

Recommended Posts

Yesterday morning I went out to my perm after not visiting in almost two weeks, as I was on another local lake last weekend. I found out there was well over 15" ice in the hole after all the recent cold weather.

I augured out all four corners, and the mid points, then proceeded to saw, chisel, pull out blocks, scoop, and then fine clear with the colander. After working up a good lather it felt good to sit down.

I started out by catching some decent sunfish. At mid morning I had a perfect size pike come in to round off a nice catch for our dinner later on. After I hit it, I immediately pulled on the rope, but the tie had come undone.

The pike, hit through the spine, 28 inches long, was laying just outside the hole on the bottom in 9 feet of water. I was able to spear it at an angle with my backup spear, and pull it in along with the now rope-less L. Gustas spear. Luckily it was paralyzed and couldn't kick up much silt, or shimmy out dragging my spear.

I hit the perm again this morning and passed on a 31-32" fish. I also caught a few sunfish, but it was a little slow overall both mornings.

I have learned that it is always prudent to have two spears along in case you have a fish laying down on the bottom with a marginal hit, or as in the instance of another situation, however rare, you are ready. I am also reminded to check knots, and retie spears and decoy snap swivels now and again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have pulled those freshly eaten sunfish out and filleted them for the pan, when fresh, as in still kicking, (or at least having clear eyes and red gills).

One time I filleted a pike that had a still alive perch in it's stomach. Sticking out of the perch's mouth was the tail of a baby sunfish.

Talk about the cycle of life: perch eats sunfish, gets eaten by pike, then immediately speared to be eaten by me!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My house has been on lake darling out here in nd since December. I had too be my house mid January....we got it hooked up to the truck and I kicked a hole in my spearhole (only about 1" of ice) and by the time we drove away there was 6-7" standing water on the ice. We got very lucky we decided to move! Moved it up the lake and canada has been letting too much water out so it turned the water very cloudy. 2 weeks ago we moved it to a small lake just north of lake sakakawea. Sat there 5-6 times now and haven't seen a fish over 6lbs. Friday I will be moving down to sakakawea for the last 1.5months of season. Can't wait for march!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Friday I will be moving down to sakakawea for the last 1.5months of season. Can't wait for march!

I need a ND "guide" for the first weekend of March... i pay in beer.... are you interested?

-Merk

.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tryed friday got truck stuck that took 2 hours to get out then 600yrd walk to cut hole pop new house up to find out it dont work and thinsulate roof to bright to spear out of

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hillbilly, Which lake and what hub house did you buy? I got rid of my insulated clam and switched to a Quickfish 3 plenty dark. The drips are bothersome but would rather be able to see the fish.

Mwal

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Early Riser,

I also have 2 spears along never know if you have a marginal hit and need another hit to make sure. Have not had a rope break yet.

Mwal

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well i origanly had the base camp And it had major flaws took it to clam and they up graded me to 6000 bigfoot with the thinsulat roof i was more then happy till i got to the lake and had more issues with the brand new one the roof is all saggy and such im going back up there Wednesday to have them look at it but the roof lets to much light threw were the older one didnt. And i was on hydes west of waconia and the lake has turnd allready so all the work was was of time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well i origanly had the base camp And it had major flaws took it to clam and they up graded me to 6000 bigfoot with the thinsulat roof i was more then happy till i got to the lake and had more issues with the brand new one the roof is all saggy and such im going back up there Wednesday to have them look at it but the roof lets to much light threw were the older one didnt. And i was on hydes west of waconia and the lake has turnd allready so all the work was was of time.

Any chance they will let you swap out to an Eskimo? I had a QF4 and it worked great. I upgraded to a Fatfish 949I and it works even better.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How would they let me swap out then?? I dnt have the receipt any more so there trying to work with me

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How would they let me swap out then?? I dnt have the receipt any more so there trying to work with me

I was not aware you did not have a receipt. Glad they are trying to work it out with you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm going to head to the shack in a little while to try and Muskrat proof it. We have a muskrat that is trying to eat its way through our hole covers to get into the houses. I'm going to put hardware cloth on the bottom of the cover to hopefully persuade it to stop. I might try a couple other tricks to rid us of it but i'll see what happens before I report.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Merk come on out! I'll be on Winnipeg March 6-9 but then taking a 4 day weekend to spear the last 4 days of season. Last day of season last year we saw 33 pike in the hole, average size 5-7lbs and multiple over 10....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Merk come on out! I'll be on Winnipeg March 6-9 but then taking a 4 day weekend to spear the last 4 days of season. Last day of season last year we saw 33 pike in the hole, average size 5-7lbs and multiple over 10....

IM me your email address....

i might bring a couple guys with.....

or we could set up an after season get to gator here in the forums if you would like?

-Merk

.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guys, check out channel 4 news tonight at 10, Frank & Chris came to check out what spearing is about on Madison lake. I should have split them blocks smaller. blushgrin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guys, check out channel 4 news tonight at 10, Frank & Chris came to check out what spearing is about on Madison lake. I should have split them blocks smaller. blushgrin

I'm in Owatonna I hope I get channel 4 in the truck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was not aware you did not have a receipt. Glad they are trying to work it out with you. [/qu

Well they gave me another new house with the thermo roofand had to cut poles but i dont like it because the roof is to bright knw any body that wants to buy one..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hillbilly,

When I had my Clam Summit insulated it was to bright. I tried a blue tarp that was brown on one side it did not help. I was using anti fatigue pads on the ice to darken and make it less slippery so I bought another set at FF and put them in the poles on the inside of the roof it helped. My hubs kept breaking and was a pos so it went bye bye and I went to a eskimo quickfish 3 its plenty dark the hubs work I can set it up in 90 second by myself the only complaint is the bag is to small.

If you look online at F Farm the mats are called

Larin Anti-Fatigue Work Mat Set. They work great as a floor I may still build the floor Laska built for when lakes are drivable but early season when pulling otter sled the mats only weigh couple lbs. Check them out.

We could go out sometime if you want try the Quick fish 3 before deciding what to do with the Clam when it gets replaced.

Mwal

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Headed back out to Square to chase the big girls. Water clarity has done a 180 from December. Seeing 20' is not a problem. The only problems are the lake is flooded and it's only foot traffic. Other than that... Get out there and give er'.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Headed back out to Square to chase the big girls. Water clarity has done a 180 from December. Seeing 20' is not a problem. The only problems are the lake is flooded and it's only foot traffic. Other than that... Get out there and give er'.

Do you see many trout out there?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sitting in the shack with Moll and Joe looking forward to the festivities at Spearfest this afternoon. It was a little chilly this morning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • The title was changed to Spearfishing - Where are you now?

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.




  • 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.