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.

Moose's Report - Cambridge-Elk River-Foley-Milaca-Mora-Ogilvie Fishing Reports


Recommended Posts

The pike are on a rampage.  The last several times I have gone bass fishing I have been trimmed clean off by ravenous teeth.  Once in the river and twice in a lake.  30 pound braid too.  I have tried to use leaders on some of my setups but there are some lures that just don't work properly with a leader attached so then I don't catch any bass either.  Its only gonna get worse here as the water cools too.  I need to do something about this, I can't keep tossing $12 lures into the water.  Dang things

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • l Love It 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have seen those light fluorocarbon leaders might work better then wire or if you just took some heavy floro and tied it to your braid I dont really know how that would hold up but if they use em on leaders Im thinking they might work good?? 

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 lb flouro is your best defense.  Anything lighter and it doesn’t hold up.  Anything heavier and it’s too hard to tie and kills the action too much.  You can either tie on to your braid with a barrel swivel or tie direct with one particular knot I can’t remember the name of.

 

That flouro leader has been saving me money for years.  Yes, on occasion it will still get cut but I’d guess it has a 90% success rate for me.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

55 minutes ago, Wanderer said:

That flouro leader has been saving me money for years.  Yes, on occasion it will still get cut but I’d guess it has a 90% success rate for me.

 

I will have to try this.  I believe the knot you are thinking off it a double uni knot.  I went the entire season without getting snipped off once until about 10 days ago and now its happened three consecutive times.  I mostly use braided line and I've had less bite offs with braid compared to monofilament but evidently even braid can't hold up to the buzzsaw that is pike chompers.  The small ones usually don't have a big enough mouth to inhale the entire lure but the bigger ones just either destroy the lure or take the entire setup off completely, and that is what I've begun to encounter.  Its only funny when it happens to someone else!

Edited by gimruis
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am going to try a product called Knot 2 Kinky. It is a titanium and nickel tieable wire that doesn't kink or bend. My brother has been using it because of cut offs while bass fishing and he really likes it. I lost a lot of expensive baits last fall on Kabetogama to all the pike, so I am tying up a bunch of leaders before we leave for what I hope will be a fish filled week! I will let you now how well it works! 

 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Wanderer said:

20 lb flouro is your best defense

Hey Wanderer how much of this do you use?  Like 6-12 inches, just like a steel leader length?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You want to end up with no more than what you’d usually have out for normal casting.  No need to have it run through the tip or any more eyes.  Somewhere around 16 inches?  Whatever your comfortable with.

 

Tie the flouro to your braid before cutting a length off the spoil or you’ll have a hard time leaving enough for knots on both ends.  I tie on a cross lock snap for changing lures but tie direct for plastics and jigs.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, Wanderer said:

I tie on a cross lock snap for changing lures but tie direct for plastics and jigs.

 

You tie on a snap at the end of the fluro or the end of the braid to the fluro?  I would prefer not to use a snap directly to the lure as some of the lure's action are affected by this so I tied it directly to a lure instead.

 

I had some Seaguar Flurocarbon left on a spool so I tied a couple up last night.  They are about 8-10 inches each so I think that will do.  I'll give them a try and report back on whether they held up to the teeth.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

You tie on a snap at the end of the fluro or the end of the braid to the fluro? 
 

I had some Seaguar Flurocarbon left on a spool so I tied a couple up last night.  


I tie the snap at the end of the flouro for changing lures.  Mostly crankbaits/jerkbaits and jigging spoons and raps.

 

Thats the same brand I’ve been using lately.

 

What your going to find with tying everything direct and on shorter lengths is you’ll be retying leaders more often unless you stay with the same bait all day.  A longer length will allow you 2-3 reties before you have to start over.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Wanderer said:

What your going to find with tying everything direct and on shorter lengths is you’ll be retying leaders more often unless you stay with the same bait all day.  A longer length will allow you 2-3 reties before you have to start over.

 

I've got enough setups where I don't usually interchange lures unless its the same one or a different size/color.  I'll start with the length I have for now and see how this goes.  Thanks for the suggestion.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Finn is ready to get the ducks

EEB93673-F5FE-4B2A-8FDA-447E8ED35924.jpeg

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • l Love It 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think I'm going to duck hunt this season.  Its been so poor the last few years in this area that its just not worth my time to harvest a duck here or a duck there.  I don't know why its gotten to be so poor either because I used to harvest 25+ ducks a season in 4 or 5 outings.  I seriously used to see about 200 wood ducks on opener and now its about 30.  They just aren't there anymore.  My time is better spent fishing this time of year now.

 

I do think pheasant season will be very productive as long as most of the crops get harvested on time.  Hopefully we don't get a foot of snow on Thanksgiving again this season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
10 hours ago, gimruis said:

I don't think I'm going to duck hunt this season.  Its been so poor the last few years in this area that its just not worth my time to harvest a duck here or a duck there.  I don't know why its gotten to be so poor either because I used to harvest 25+ ducks a season in 4 or 5 outings.  I seriously used to see about 200 wood ducks on opener and now its about 30.  They just aren't there anymore.  My time is better spent fishing this time of year now.

 

I do think pheasant season will be very productive as long as most of the crops get harvested on time.  Hopefully we don't get a foot of snow on Thanksgiving again this season.

It helps around here there tons of wood duck houses. With the water levels low it should be great here on the brook. High water around my area makes hard to get ducks. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Went over to Wisconsin to hunt grouse with my best friend and it was a blast. I got two and missed a few.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The water temperature dropped 10 degrees in a week.  It was 74 when I was out there last week and it was 64 when I was out there this past weekend.  The fishing was still pretty good.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fished the Rum out of Isanti today. This stretch has some potential, but the water was about a foot low. That, plus my lack of ambition prevented me from going too far upstream. Caught 3 pike and 2 smallies. Had several hits, and a follow from a 30 inch pike under the bridge.

  • Thumbs Up 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been trolling Pokegama lately for crappies using line counter reels and Bandit lures. Been doing well, some have been around 11 - 12 inches. Lots of schooled up fish in the deeper areas, they suspend around 8 - 12 feet mid lake. 

  • Thumbs Up 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 9/1/2020 at 11:34 AM, gimruis said:

 

I've got enough setups where I don't usually interchange lures unless its the same one or a different size/color.  I'll start with the length I have for now and see how this goes.  Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Update on the fluro leaders: they are effective.  I tied 20 pound Seaguar fluro in about 12 inch lengths to the braid and then the fluro to the lure.  I still caught bass and when a pike showed up I didn't get trimmed off either.  A couple of pretty decent sized pike over 30 inches couldn't cut through it.  The key is to inspect it regularly.  If there is a nick or kink in it, time to re-tie.  Thanks Wanderer

  • Thumbs Up 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

New to the Zimmerman area . Where to take a couple kids? I've got a 10 year old son and 6 year old daughter. Got a small 16 ft boat. Thanks!!

  • I Like it 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

44 minutes ago, 1Crappieguy said:

New to the Zimmerman area . Where to take a couple kids? I've got a 10 year old son and 6 year old daughter. Got a small 16 ft boat. Thanks!!

 

I've always done pretty well on Elk, Blue, and Green Lake.  I don't know what you're primary target is but I mostly fish bass on these lakes with regular success including this season.

7-31-20 bass a2.jpg

8-6-20 bass.jpg

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

I would agree with those lakes they all offer good panfish as well. 
 

I was out getting duck decoys ready!! Sorry for the delayed reply 

Edited by monstermoose78
  • Yayyyy 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

O man!! Duck season is so close I can taste it!! I got enough shells for a war and that is what I am declaring to all wood ducks ? Is war!! Finn is in peak shape and my shooting has been pretty good. 

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • l Love It 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@monstermoose78are you opening local this year or up at your Dads place?

 

Id be excited too with a pup in top form.  My shooting has been just shy of 80% lately which ain’t bad but I’ve dropped a couple points over the summer.  Just not shooting enough!

 

This year my opener is in limbo (my opening weekend pard has a hitch in his schedule) and I won’t be out next weekend.  I’ll probably take the easy way out and hunt around the house for a few hours.

 

Good luck all!

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • I Like it 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
12 hours ago, Wanderer said:

@monstermoose78are you opening local this year or up at your Dads place?

 

Id be excited too with a pup in top form.  My shooting has been just shy of 80% lately which ain’t bad but I’ve dropped a couple points over the summer.  Just not shooting enough!

 

This year my opener is in limbo (my opening weekend pard has a hitch in his schedule) and I won’t be out next weekend.  I’ll probably take the easy way out and hunt around the house for a few hours.

 

Good luck all!

I am going local this weekend. It might be just the dog and me, but that’s okay. We will sit on the brook and blast at the wood ducks. River Rat 316 said he would go but we will see if he shows up. On the brook it’s nice to have two people so one can watch the south and the other can watch the north.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

Well I dropped two Finn got one and the other took off down the brook. Finn is beat and I am ready for a nap. 

BD1AA73F-89BA-4249-8AF6-E696F11F0C0D.jpeg

E95DC38D-37BF-47D1-BEBB-698886C53422.jpeg

  • Thumbs Up 2
  • l Love It 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I heard western MN was pretty good but it appears that the central area was poor.  I knew there would be more hunters.  Expect more of that when other seasons open.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
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 :)

    • leech~~
      Nope not me.  May want to go nextdoor and ask around?  
    • smurfy
      Looks to me like Leech brought his chair home!!😅😆
    • Brianf.
      I'm not there, so I can't tell exactly what's going on but it looks like a large area of open water developed in the last day with all of the heavy snow on the east side of wake em up Narrows. These two photos are from my Ring Camera facing north towards Niles Point.  You can see what happened with all of snow that fell in the last three days, though the open water could have been wind driven. Hard to say. .  
    • SkunkedAgain
      Black Bay had great ice before but a few spots near rockpiles where there were spots of open water. It looks like the weight of the snow has created a little lake in the middle of the bay.  
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Thanks to some cold spring weather, ice fishing continues strong for those still ice fishing.  The bite remains very good.  Most resorts have pulled their fish houses off for the year, however, some still have fish houses out and others are allowing ATV and side by sides.  Check social media or call ahead to your favorite resort for specifics. Reports this week for walleyes and saugers remain excellent.   A nice mix of jumbo perch, pike, eelpout, and an occasional crappie, tullibee or sturgeon being reported by anglers. Jigging one line and using a live minnow on the second line is the way to go.  Green, glow red, pink and gold were good colors this week.     Monster pike are on a tear!  Good number of pike, some reaching over 45 inches long, being caught using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring in 8 - 14' of water.   As always, work through a resort or outfitter for ice road conditions.  Safety first always. Fish houses are allowed on the ice through March 31st, the walleye / sauger season goes through April 14th and the pike season never ends. On the Rainy River...  The river is opened up along the Nelson Park boat ramp in Birchdale, the Frontier boat ramp and Vidas boat ramp.  This past week, much of the open water skimmed over with the single digit overnight temps.   Areas of the river have popped open again and with temps getting warmer, things are shaping up for the last stretch through the rest of the spring season, which continues through April 14th.   Very good numbers of walleyes are in the river.  Reports this week, even with fewer anglers, have been good.  When temps warm up and the sun shines, things will fire up again.   Jigs with brightly colored plastics or jigs with a frozen emerald shiner have been the desired bait on the river.  Don't overlook slow trolling crankbaits upstream as well.   Good reports of sturgeon being caught on the river as well.  Sturgeon put the feed bag on in the spring.  The bite has been very good.  Most are using a sturgeon rig with a circle hook loaded with crawlers or crawlers / frozen emerald shiners. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing is winding down up at the Angle.  Walleyes, saugers, and a number of various species in the mix again this week.  The bite is still very good with good numbers of fish.  The one two punch of jigging one line and deadsticking the second line is working well.   Check with Angle resorts on transport options from Young's Bay.  Call ahead for ice road guidelines.  
    • CigarGuy
      With the drifting, kind of hard to tell for sure, but I'm guessing about a foot and still lightly snowing. Cook end!
    • PSU
      How much snow did you get on Vermilion? 
    • Mike89
      lake here refroze too...  started opening again yesterday with the wet snow and wind...  very little ice left today...
    • Hookmaster
      A friend who has a cabin between Alex and Fergus said the lake he's on refroze. He texted me a pic from March 12th when it was open and one from 23rd when it wasn't. 🤯
    • SkunkedAgain
      I don't think that there has been any ice melt in the past few weeks on Vermilion. Things looked like a record and then Mother Nature swept in again.   I'll give my revised guess of April 21st
×
×
  • 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.