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.

A nice surprise on Tonka today...


CALVINIST

Recommended Posts

Me and a friend were out chasing muskies on Tonka today. I was using a Rad Dog and caught a nice 19" smallie. One that size on Tonka took me completely by surprise! I also caught a decent 31" gater on a Jiant Jackpot...it was awesome watching that thing launch completely out of the water hitting the J.J. My buddy caught two small ski's @ 26" and 36" (smallest I had ever seen on Tonka) and a bunch of dink gaters.

Anyone else ever catch nice smallies like that on Tonka?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Calvinist...Repeat after me...

There are no Smallies in Tonka, there are no Smallies in Tonka. LOL

Found the sweet area didn't ya?

Jo

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A few but like you it was always a surprise. The big smallies are there and from what I hear the population is growing but they are very difficult to target. I have two spots that usually produce a smallie in the fall but that's it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Calvinist...Repeat after me...

There are no Smallies in Tonka, there are no Smallies in Tonka. LOL


Come to think of it, it did look more like a carp than a smallie... grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had a bluegill contest with Carrie a couple of summers ago, and a giant smallie came up out of no where and latched onto her worm. The fight didn't last long and she was alittle ticked off that I didn't set her drag all that great...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

About 3 years ago I was Crappie fishing by Big Island when a 21 inch smallie took my bobber down. When I first saw it about 5 feet down I thought it was a carp. When it jumped I just about jumped out of the boat. I also realized it wasn't bass season yet. That is the only one I've caught on Tnka though. Kid

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Someone in our bass club weighed in twin 5 pounders at our tournament back in August - said he got them both from under a dock. No idea what the bait was.

Heard that at a recent tournament that someone actually brought a smallie up in their bag and the story was that everyone scattered like someone had let one rip - no one wanted to be anywhere near that fish.

Daze Off

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have to put them back immediately at this time of year or face possible consequences with DNR (catch and release only now). Apparently this guy did not know this and the others were afraid to be seen even in the vicinity of this fish.

Daze Off

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Speaking of Tonka, I'm going there tonight (unless something comes up) I'll be fishing shallow as that's what I do. I'll post my results or lack there of tomorrow. tongue.gif

I'll be fishing alone in a green lowe 14' jon w/25H Merc. Say Hi if you see me!

Later

Link to comment
Share on other sites

EBASS - east or west ? I'll be out rooting around on the west end. Think the front really put the fish down and the water is murky as can be but you never know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And I should've stayed home. I made it out for about an hour and just stayed in Grays bay. I was skunked, well I did have a 8" bass hit my 1 minus, but I yanked it outa the water on the hookset and it came off.

I found green coontail, and minnows with sand bottom and sparse rocks. NADA - I did see small sunnies around to. I dunno. I suck in the fall on lakes. Sticking to rivers until winter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I started out chasing musky/pike but gave up and looked for crappies. Found some in 15ft depths off mid lake hump. Also got some small walleyes slow trolling plastics on the weed edges later in the evening. Bites were very soft had to watch my line to detect them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

I started out chasing musky/pike but gave up and looked for crappies. Found some in 15ft depths off mid lake hump. Also got some small walleyes slow trolling plastics on the weed edges later in the evening. Bites were very soft had to watch my line to detect them.


Hey Mark, when do you start targetting those big 'eyes?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ALready started but the bite really doesn't kick off until we get water temps in the mid 50s. October is usually prime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • 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.