Labor Day

[Mr. Pike1]

Well, Labor day is just around the corner and will be one of my final big trips to the cabin on the Big V. I am curious as to who may be up and on the East end. Would be nice to perhaps meet up on the water one morning or evening with some FMers. I will be up with my wife and daughter and for the most part get out in the morning and evening and spend the day with the family. The mornings are usually a 6:00-11:00 run and I target smallies. The evening is 6:00-9:00 targeting walleye with live bait or cranks along the islands.

MT- Will you be up. I will be going up Friday night after work and staying until Tuesday afternoon. Would like to try a few walleye and smallie spots. We could take out both or our boats and just work an area.

MT- I have heard rumor that a few more fisherman are being reported in our little area of the lake. We must get the word out that there are "No" fish in this area

[vermilionfox]

Mr. Pike 1,

My wife, my folks and myself will be up on Saturday the third. We'll be spending the week at Shamrock Marina. Only our second trip to the east end, but have been going to the west end for many years.

It would be cool to meet up. I'll be docked at one of their cabin docks. Tan and brown Smoker Craft with a classic 75 horse Merc (Okay it's my first boat, it's old but we're proud of it!).

Any tips for walleyes would be appreciated! Put them here, or e-mail me.

[Mr. Pike1]

V-Fox- I am not familiar with the location of the resort you will be staying at. Our cabin is by casino. I will be fishing out of a black Lund "Mr. Pike" with a 90 horse Merc.

I know of a few walleye locations that have produced fish each time I have been up. In general I would pull lindy rigs with crawler or leech around islands and wind blown points. Morning and evening shallower and afternoon 16 feet to 40 feet. If you have electronics there is lots of structure in big bay and other areas on the East end. If you are crusing around the the water in 30 plus feet and you go over an area that comes up. Fish on and around that structure as it will most likely hold fish. Pulling crank baits around islands is also very effective. I have had the most success with perch shad raps in the number 7.

I never like to make any guarantees when it comes to fishing but I can almost guarantee spots that you will catch smallmouth. I targeted them much more this year and have found a pattern and different presentations that have proved to be effective. Most of my morning smallmouth runs have produced 20 or more fish. The size has been 15-19". I did lose one last time up that I estimate in the 22" class. I will never forget that spot and I can promise you this spot will get hit each and every morning that I am up there.

If you plan on smallmouth fishing I suggest the following:

- Small 1/16 jig with twister tail untipped or tipped with crawler/leach

- Crank baits that resemble crayfish. I like the jointed shad raps.

- Tubes in watermellon, or any natural color works.

- Senko I prefer rootbeer or pumpkin with green speckle

- Mepps spinners- I like the number 3 aguila in white with the silver blade or brown with the copper. I generally tip them with a twister tail to add a little something to the presentation.

- Topwater I have not had great success with topwater but when they smash a topwater at day break it is awesome.

- Spinnerbait/buzzbait limited success with this presentation as well but with the cooler temps you never know.

- Another favorite is the rapala DT 10 in firetiger.

Hope to see you on the water. I will be up Friday night and on the water right before the sun is up and fish to 10 or so.