For Reel!!

Where do I start....  This is the "for reel" (real) trout that I caught this evening.  We headed out  in search of some walleyes so we could have fresh fish for dinner tonight.  So here is the story. 

After catching one nice eater walleye I saw another mark on the vexilar and coaxed it into biting.  It crushed my northland buckshot spoon and I figured I was hooked into a giant walleye.  After about 3 or 4 minutes of fighting the fish I hollered for Pete or Mizzy to let them know I had a "fatty" on.  At this point I was still thinking I had a world class walleye.  I continued to battle this fish on my own not knowing what I had on.  The boys did not make any attempt to come help until I finally yelled over to them, "for reel you guys, I have a giant on and it has not moved off the bottom!"  At this point Pete wondered over to lend a hand and help me land what I was thinking was a 14 plus pound walleye.  15 minutes later we got our first look at the mystery fish and to our surprise it was a giant lake trout.  We were fishing much shallower in search of walleyes, and were not expecting to catch any lakers in this area.  Pete stayed right by the hole until the fish finally came up the hole and he helped me land it.  I can not say enough about how unbelievable of a fight these fish put up, especially on 6lb test on a 28" walleye rod.

35" Lake Trout!  This fish put on a marathon fight that I will never forget.  I have to say thanks to Pete for all the help and guidance.  After this fish was released back in the lake to fight another day Pete and I were back to catching minutes later.  My very next fish was a fishwithmatt first.

 

I have never caught a smallmouth bass before through the ice.  This evening that all changed.  I caught my first smallmouth through the ice and at the same time Pete caught a 10 pound northern.  We had a great double. 

 I don't know if I will ever come home.  I can not say enough about how awesome of a first day Pete, Mizzy, and myself had.  It was an evening on the ice that will not be forgotten for a long time.  

Internet is touch and go.  I have more pics and stories that I will get up soon.  We caught some dandy walleyes tonight!       

Enclosure

Boom...It's On!!!

This is what I call a rod bender! 

Pete was able to catch the first Laker of the Canada trip.  Which not only proved to himself that he is the best, but won him 30 bucks...American!  We figure this "heavy lifter" tipped the scales at about 18 pounds.  He fell victim to a tube jig in about 80-90 feet of water. 

This morning we woke up to a temp of -25 and put on everything we brought and ventured out on the frozen tundra of Lake Of The Woods.  We were only able to get a few photos due to the extreme cold.  We had to immediately get the fish back in the lake to keep them from freezing.  Anything longer than 30 secs out of the water and they would have been frozen and dead.  We were able to successfully release all three of these fish. 

    

Mizzy and I actually hooked up on our fish at the same time.  It was a sweet double that took us about 15 minutes to sort out...lets just say these fish do not like coming up a fish hole.  They fight like nothing I have ever caught and never give up.  We are headed back to the lake right now to catch some walleyes for supper.  Will report more this evening.  Until then Fish On! 

Brrr

I apologize for the lack of reports lately but with this bitter cold that has set in I have not been out as much as I would like.  When the weather broke over the weekend we did get out on Minnetonka.  Friday evening we fished Browns bay and did not catch any walleyes in my house, but about 100 yards away we had guys in another house and they did catch a few nice eyes.  Since shiner minnows have been non-existent we have resorted to small suckers for the set lines.  They are producing our better fish.  The weather is going to break again tomorrow and we will be back at it this weekend.  Stay warm!  

Mille Lacs is finally starting to kick out some nice fish.  The boys are not catching a ton of fish but they are getting one or two real nice ones (25+") each night with a few small ones.  I am going to try and get up and get in on some of the action.  If you or anyone you know is interested in heading to Mille Lacs or Red please let me know.  We have some weekends available on Red in March.     

Crappie Time!

Tim and Rachel were able to make it out for a little crappie fishing on Waconia on Sunday!  Both enjoyed some success but the fish ran a little on the small side.  Many others joined us for the day including, Nig, Eddie, Betsy, and Neasha.  It really turned into a great day with many smiles, laughs, and fish to be caught. 

We fished in 23 feet of water and caught all of the crappies on worms and crappie minnows.  They were biting very light but after many misses we were able to figure them out.  Tim had the hot hole to start but eventually Rachel turned it on and I think she ended up with the most fish. 

Tim even your fish is tiny...!?!?  No wonder they call you Tiny Tim! 

Look out for the sisters....  I think they were trying to give this one a kiss and send it on its way.  Poor fish!  I am sure  he was scared to death.