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Posted

Thursday night got out on the ice - first time at Gibbins. Fished Fri/Sat and it went pretty well - I think I cleaned 17 fish - mix of wallies and sauger with the largest just under 16" - we kept them 12" and above except for a couple 10's that were badly bleeding. Threw probably twice that number back. We did as well or better than anyone we spoke with (I think).<P>The house was fine - well maintained and clean - good heat. We were able to drive out even in the grocery getter (mini van) which saved a bunch of loading/unloading etc. <P>Saturday was beautiful - the kids and I had a good time mid day walking about when the bite was non-existent. Met a few very nice groups (thanks Gordy for bringing by the mittens my son apparently dropped on the road!). Shared a beer with Bottomfinder's group from WI - great group of guys. Met some guys from MN/ND at the house just South of us - my wife gave me heck about spending time shooting the bull w/ya'll when were should have been hitting the road! LOL! <P>Very soft bite - I threw everything I had at them - glow lures worked pretty well, but in the end the most consistent producer were plain red hooks with ice busters - shiners and fat heads produced the same. For some reason the kids Zebco 33's and $5 poles I rigged up for them were the hotest in the house - go figure!<P>Would I do a sleeper again - probably - it's different - not bad or good but different. With the wife and kids Gibbins makes it pretty cheap (kids 12 and under are free!). It is nice to be able to drive out and start at first light/stop when you want, but the hot shower and bed is a fine thing also...<P>We got off the ice late afternoon Saturday - made it to Bemidji and stopped - kids blew off some steam at the hotel pool. Did drop by the Bend to pick up a bottle and thank Pam for sending my camcorder back last trip. They are booked solid week ends in March so I may not be able to get back this season. BT - there's a cool one with your name on it there - good luck later this week!

Posted

Bob: Sounds like you had a good time with the family and had some fish for supper as well.<P>We're leaving Thursday morning as you know so I will toast to you on Thursday night upon our return to solid ground. Mucho Gracias.<P>The March trip is still on as well, weather allowing. Was hoping to catch up with you on that one. Who knows perhaps they will have a cancellation and it would still work out for you.<P>Sounds like the kids had a good time of it, high priced eqipment, who needs it? I guess its a macho thing.<P>What did your wife and kids think about driving that far out on frozen water? Are they ready to go back again next year? glad you had a good time, thanks for the Good Luck I'll let you know how it went next Sunday. Take care. Bill

Posted

new yankee<P>thank you for borrowing me the glow devil<BR>on the 20th it at least caught me a couple<BR>of small eyes. <P>that seemed to be the bite ( slow ) at<BR>least when we were their, we left with a grand<BR>total of 14 with only 1 that made it to 16".<P>we went to Red & Winnie to finish out our trip and did no better on those two lakes either.<BR>glad to meet you and the rest of your family<BR>you seemed to be good people.<P>gary, steve, brad & lee<BR>

Posted

Bottomfinder - glad all made it back safe and as sound as could be expected. Sorry ya'll didn't do any better down the road! Keep in touch, I'll catch you next year! <P>BT - the wife was suspect when we hit hard water but soon became accustomed to it. Kids were in awe of the place for about 13 seconds and returned to the 5&6 yr olds they are......<P>Sunday afternoon you couldn't have convinced me another trip was needed this year - spent a good deal time baiting hooks and unhooking fish in the house - suspect on reflection that is why my jigging was off - I didn't have a lot of uninterupted time to do it smile.gif<P>However, after a couple days recovery, I emailed another potential victim, uh...friend - re: mid March - is there a twelve step program for the big pond grin.gif<P>Good luck BT - I'll be anxiously awaiting a great report!

Posted

Bob: If there is a 12 step program I haven't found it. It is definitley an addiction. On the road 5am tomorrow, I'll bring you up to date on Sunday. Bill

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • leech~~
    • smurfy
      🤣 did your nose just grow a bit!😏🤭
    • Wanderer
      I hope to be fishing….  It’s so rare that I get to go, I hate passing up the opportunity. 😉   
    • leech~~
      Since the Vikings are never in it. We use it for an excuse to make some fun stuff!  Last year was a bit light. Hot cheese bean dip, hot wings and pepperoni cheese bread! 😋
    • Hookmaster
      That snow and the 15-25 mph winds on Thursday with higher gusts will be nasty drifting. I didn't go to LOW (can I say that in the this thread?🤫) this week because of it.
    • smurfy
      Who's watching the big game Sunday? More importantly what's ya'all cooking!   I like good football si I'm tuning in. Food... yea no clue yet 
    • Wanderer
      Hard to see em well enough to tell.
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing is strong across the south shore of Lake of the Woods out on Big Traverse Bay.  Most anglers are targeting deep mud with others fishing structure if available where they are going out of.  There are fish in both areas.     Some ice roads are now extending more than 16 miles out, with over two feet of ice reported in most areas. Resorts and outfitters continue increasing weight limits. As a rule, fishing continues to be very good with consistent action for anglers.  Most fishing activity is taking place in 26-32 feet of water.  Anglers are finding a healthy mix of walleyes and saugers, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh fish frys and bring fish home.   On the jigging line, jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head have been consistent.  Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap style lures also doing well.   On the deadstick, a plain hook or a small jig with a live minnow 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.    You never know when the fish will move through.  Anglers fishing the entire day normally have success.  Electronics are a big help as well. On the Rainy River...  The morning and evening hours are the best for fishing walleyes. A jig and minnow combination has been a good presentation.  A jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head is also producing some fish. Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is still producing some big fish through the ice.  There are two sturgeon seasons on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, a catch and release season and a harvest season in which you can keep one fish per calendar year.    The harvest season runs from April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – Sept. 30. The catch and release season runs May 8th – May 15th and Oct. 1 – April 23rd.    Although ice conditions on the river are good, they can vary significantly due to the current, so anglers should always consult local resorts or outfitters for the most up-to-date safety information and fishing advice. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing remains good at the Northwest Angle.  Resorts continue to move their fish houses staying on fish.  Some fish houses are set up on structure while others are targeting deeper mud flats.    Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, and tullibees.  Good numbers of big crappies are still being caught in select areas and hard sided fish houses are available to target them.  Check with a NW Angle resort for info.   Jigging one line, deadsticking the second is effective.  Some days the jigging line is hot, other days the deadstick.  Some good colors have been gold, glow red, glow white, wonder bread, pink, chartreuse and orange. Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended ice fishing season with fish houses on the ice through March 31st and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14th. Perch, crappie, and pike seasons remain open year-round.  
    • JerkinLips
      Same story, different day (Monday).  Caught several small walleyes (biggest were 14 and 15 inches) with the best bite from 2-5pm.  Caught my record walleye this winter at 6½ (inches, not pounds).  Was wondering why the bobber kept going down a couple inches for several minutes until I finally reeled it up.  Fortunately it was just hooked in the lips.  Having a lively minnow definitely improved the action.  I put down a pike sucker for the first time this winter and got an immediate hard bite.  When I went to set the hook, the line broke just above the hook.  Don't know if it was a northern bite-off or just weak line by the hook.  May try some pike suckers next trip.   Ice conditions were very good except for heavy drifting (even with very little fresh snow).  Didn't see any vehicles traveling off road except for snowmobiles and a tracked SxS, although there weren't many people out on the lake.  Water came up around my house about 1½ inches but froze very quickly with the cold weather and no snow on top.  Will probably have to block it up again next time up.   Good luck fishing and be careful of severe drifting of snow, especially with the 3-5 inches they are predicting for Wednesday night.  
    • leech~~
      Why, do they all only wear Sitka camo over there? 😏
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