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ROCKY REEF


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I fish the lake quite a bit, and have yet to crack the 27" mark. Lots of fish in the 24-27 inch range, seems like alot of people's rulers start at 1 or 2 inches. You can say whatever you want on here and I'm not calling anybody liers, but I'm not about to get all worked up if somebody claims I'm doing something wrong if I haven't gotten a 28"+ fish out of Mille Lacs. I know all about 'big fish' spots, areas to get slots, and places to get action from 20-25 inchers and so on.

btw people... please if you're not going to put it on the wall do not cut up a 28" fish, I would like to have a better chance of catching and releasing one someday out of ML.

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Beckman, I guide & tournament fish on the lake and I personally didn't crack the 28 inch mark all summer.

During the Wave Wacker Tournament we had 3 over 27 1/2 but couldn't crack that 28 inch mark.

This winter is a different story. I believe we have had 12 fish over 28 inches this winter and 7 of those were over 29.

.

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Mille Lacs Guide Service
(320)293-3287
www.millelacsguideservice.com

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Scott to do what you did was nothing short of simply awsome, but I was talking about what it took to win a Tourney. Maybe I am wrong, can you think of any that were won last year or the year before without at lease a big fish. No doubt some slot fish will put you in the money on most tourneys though and is a good way to go. As you know with our current 17-28 slot and most people putting back the 28+ anyway the number of big fish is on the increase. If this increase situation stays as it is obviously you will see more 28+ brought in at the tourneys. I would expect to see 4 big fish for the Wave wacker winner next year and 2 big fish on many one day team events brought in(RCL,Red Door,MTT, ETC). This increase in big fish will make it even tougher to fish slots and have a chance at a win in the future. Quick math puts 4 june big fish at 6.5# each at 26# or a 1 day event 2 fish at 13#.

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Two years ago I fished several MTT events on Mille Lacs. That was the "skinny" year. Twice that year tournaments were won with all slot fish. It was just a matter of who's fish were bigger. I think we were 3rd and 5th in those tournaments with all slot fish again. The winners had the same, there slots were just a little bigger.

Later that year the big fish moved up shallow in July and big fish dominated the field.

In August that summer the 2 day MTT was won by all slot fish also. That was a TOUGH bite. Four slots in two days won that one.

So, it does happen. If they moved that slot up one more inch it would make a huge difference for the tournament guys. Big fish just don't way a lot on Mille Lacs in the summer, that is why I chase the slots in tournaments.

I spend all winter chasing the trophies. They are nice and fat then.

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Mille Lacs Guide Service
(320)293-3287
www.millelacsguideservice.com

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I agree in a tourney on Mille Lacs you just gotta put fish in the box... I think you take out a little more of the 'luck' factor if you target the slots. I've never fished a tourney on ML, but that is what my approach would be.

I wish they held an night tourney in November... I'd be signed up for that in a heartbeat - that's what Mille Lacs fishing is all about, then you'd see some impressive weights on those big fish. I still probably wouldn't weigh a fish because I can't crack 27, but it would be fun to see the weigh in!

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Scott no I am sorry to say I haven't. I really have been wanting to get back out, this Sunday is the day. Had things going last weekned. It was not the big fish spot that you are working, but it was loaded with fish. BTW I think I passed you guys that evening when I was out messing around on my wheeler. Wanted to say hi, but did not want to mess up the evening prime time bite if you had clients there. It was a ways out from Shabosh bay and it was that really huge black portable I think you run. Nobody else was near by for a looong way? Then thought maybe I saw you again on Duane's flat checking on one of your units near dark? Was that you or was I mistaken? Everybody I talk to say that you can't be beat on ice! Obviously one heck of an open water angler too.

[This message has been edited by bigeyes (edited 01-08-2004).]

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Scott, did your big fish bite slow down a little or have you been too busy to get out like myself? In years past seems the big eye bite slows way down around christmas. Next time I can target them them schooling up will be mid to late June. They seem to be pretty scattered between now and then. What you were doing with your ratio of big fish and especially fish over 29 was amazing! On Milly I had to catch 21 28+ inch fish before I got my first true 29". I always tell people on Mille Lacs thay need 10 27" to get a 28" and 10 28" to get a true 29" Sure wish I had more numbers on the 30+ but they are just to rare.

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Just so everyone knows I have cracked 28 multiple times but not as many as everyone else says they do, so maybe they're better than me?

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Since Scott Steil didn't crack 28 all year now there is credibility to the situation. Wheres all criticism towards him? Now I don't sound like such a bad fisherman eh? Or maybe all Scotts clients this summer wanted to target slot fish. How does it happen that Scott didn't crack a single fish over 28 but another guy who is a weekend warrior catch at least 10? I'm glad to see the backup on this.

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Me and my buddies fish the lake all summer and we never cracked the 27 inch mark either. There just isnt too many over that mark in the summer where you can run into a bunch and land one.

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The 2002 summer cost the lake many big fish. They became weak and died. The forage for the big fish was at an all time low. There were many 24-27; but few over 28 and almost non over 30. The years prior to 2002 always had 30+ fish. Check the dnr facts regarding the population and the non self promoting guides and launch drivers. The perch are still a mystery. The perch haven't been seen for two years, yet the hatches were good. Go figure. Mother nature has a way of surviving even though man and politics skrew it up.

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Is anyone talking about the bite on the reef, or did I misread the post name? Is this one "Biggest Fish Tales and other BS that has nothing to do with Rocky Reef"? Just giving you all a hard time because I have not been on the reef for a week and I am curious as to how the bite is going. It seems like more people than ever are fishing the reef this year so I'm suprised no one has made any recent posts.

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The 2002 summer cost the lake many big fish. They became weak and died. The forage for the big fish was at an all time low. There were many 24-27; but few over 28 and almost non over 30. The years prior to 2002 always had 30+ fish. Check the dnr facts regarding the population and the non self promoting guides and launch drivers. The perch are still a mystery. The perch haven't been seen for two years, yet the hatches were good. Go figure. Mother nature has a way of surviving even though man and politics skrew it up.

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Sorry baily, thank for getting this thing back on track. This is the latest from rocky reef resort. WALLEYES, WALLEYES EVERYWHERE SHALLOW WATER IS GREAT FROM 9 TO 11 FT FROM 3:30 PM TO 7:30 PM. MORE ON FAT HEADS THEN ON SHINERS. IT WAS THAT WAY LAST SEASON ALSO, THAT MEANS THE WALLEYES ARE AGAIN CHANGING IN THEIR PREFERRED FOOD. 21/2 INCHES OR SHORTER. JIGGING SPOONS AND MINNOW HEADS ARE GETTING THE PERCH TO BITE.IT TOOK OFF ON SATURDAY IN 23 FT OF WATER JUST OUT FRONT OF THE RESORT ON THE SAND. EVERYONE GOT THEIR LIMIT OF 15 MOST OF THEM 9 TO 11 INCHES. THE WALLEYES ARE BITING FROM 7:30AM TILL 10:30AM OR SO. THEN AGAIN FROM 4:00PM TILL 5:00 AM IN 16 TO 21 FT IN THE GRAVEL TO SAND TRANSITIONS. Also I believe this area is Dereks stomping ground and he may be able to help. Good luck

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Bigeyes, our bites continue to be the same, slow but steady. We have found several bites around the lake that will produce numbers of fish but the size is poor. So, we continue to work the 3 or 4 shallow bites we have going.

Everyone should have to qualify a fishing report this winter by stating how may 10-11 inch fish they are getting. That is what they are getting on RR. and it a lot of areas we fished.

Yes, we run a 4 man Polar Sports house as well as 3 man Polars. We do appreciate you giving us room, but don't be affraid to stop by and say hi.

Adam has been on the ice every day this week and nothing has really changed. We are getting 2-4 trophy size fish each day. Our guide clients tend to do better than our sleepers because fighting a 9 pound walleye on a tip-up without coaching can be a challenge if you aren't used to doing it. The sleeper clients are getting the bites and hooking the fish, but this week getting them through the hole has been a challenge grin.gif

------------------
Mille Lacs Guide Service
(320)293-3287
www.millelacsguideservice.com

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Glad to hear you are finding an abundance of little ones. More of the fish on my last outing were under 12" then over, but I pulled nice slots and fish up to 27" from the same holes. I just had to weed through them which was fun anyway! In September and Especially October we noticed a lot of little guys too! That has too be a good sign for the next few years. I am pretty happy to see so many little ones. Must have been a really strong hatch year in 2001 or do you thing these are 2002 fish? Either way it is a good sign!

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We are assuming that the 9-10 inchers are from the 2002 hatch. I would guess those fish are two years old and there seems to be a lot of them. But, it makes sense that would be a huge year class.

I was also assuming the 12-13 inch fish are from the 2001 year class. Again, I could be wrong but based on the size of the year classes it also makes sense. I am sure someone will be able to tell us all the statistics but my lake logic says this is correct.LOL

------------------
Mille Lacs Guide Service
(320)293-3287
www.millelacsguideservice.com

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Dunns.....

"Since Scott Steil didn't crack 28 all year now there is credibility to the situation. Wheres all criticism towards him? Now I don't sound like such a bad fisherman eh? Or maybe all Scotts clients this summer wanted to target slot fish. How does it happen that Scott didn't crack a single fish over 28 but another guy who is a weekend warrior catch at least 10? I'm glad to see the backup on this."

"Beckman, I guide & tournament fish on the lake and I personally didn't crack the 28 inch mark all SUMMER. During the Wave Wacker Tournament we had 3 over 27 1/2 but couldn't crack that 28 inch mark. This WINTER is a different story. I believe we have had 12 fish over 28 inches this winter and 7 of those were over 29."

During the summer a lot of our guide trips are during the middle of the day and they are about catching numbers of fish. A lot of clients (many of which have never fished Mille Lacs)have never seen a fish over 23" prior to our trips. It seems like a good decision to take them somewhere they can catch slot fish and still break their personal record....thats during the summer like Scott mentioned and during the day.

Morning fishing, night fishing, and fall fishing are a completely different story. Fishin-fool mentioned he caught many of his big fish at night.....right place, time, and presentation. It is just a matter of putting time in on the lake and putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

Whack a walleye....the lake is loaded with the last two years hatches, but the numbers are still down on the jumbos. It will be a few years before perch fishing becomes easy again.

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www.millelacsguideservice.com
Minnesota, the land of 10,000 fishing trips....

[This message has been edited by Adam Adler (edited 01-09-2004).]

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I wish I had never brough that statement in about catching the big fish. Although I don't get paid to fish (which I'm envious of those of you who do)I'm certainly no weekend warrior. I've been fishing Mille Lacs for over 20 years 10 of those years as an adult. I love the lake, I love the fish, and I love the excitement of feeling one of those bad boys hug the bottom and pound that tip. In addition to trips to Mille Lacs which are few and far between these days, I fish almost everynight of the week in the metro. The strategies that I use to catch big fish are simple. As you said Adam, I increase my chances by fishing night time, I'm also a big fan of the moon and thus plan my trips accordingly. Times when my chances will be increased. I'm sure on any given day you would outfish me but, you know what I have fun whether I catch 50 fish or 4. Doesn't really matter to me.

It was wrong for me to bash the guy for not catching any over 28" and I have addressed that already in a previous post. Bottom line is, I know there are big fish in the lake. I would not be surprised if the state record walleye is one day caught out of Mille Lacs (they have to put some weight on first.)Just because fisherman don't fish tourny's doesn't make us all weekend warriors. Some of us do very well fishing, we learn from guys like you sure, but you too could maybe learn something from us. (Maybe not all of us, and you might have to look har! LOL) Bottom line is we are all sharing the same body of water (and a great one at that) and we need to get along and show respect. (which I didn't really do a good job of earlier.) You guys want proof, some pictures etc.. I didn't have a digital camera for the boat (one the boss would let me take out) until Christmas but I do have a few 35mm photos here I will get scanned in and post once I have them.

Enjoy the lake,

Fishing Fool

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---Drill your hole farther away---

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Het Big Eyes,

You wouldn't also be known as the Rockman, would ya? If so, my buddy keeps a house out of your place.

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