Nothing Small About It

It was a long winter, but the recent summer like weather here in MN this spring has made for some great fishing.  

I have spent the past few weeks chasing smallmouth in Door County WI and also been guiding on Lake Mille Lacs for giant smallmouth.  The Mille Lacs smallmouth fishing has been great to say the least.  

I guided a father son team to a day they soon won't forget.  I think by the end of the day we landed 30 smallmouth over 4lbs and many of them pushed the 5lb mark.   Water temps have been in the mid to high 60's on Mille Lacs and many of the fish have been shallow spawning or cruising spawning flats.  

 If you are looking to get out and enjoy some amazing smallmouth fishing, it should be good for much of the summer.  We have also been getting into some really nice walleyes as well.  

Peg or Bust

Just returned from another amazing venture to Lake Winnipeg.  This is a trip I look forward to every winter and once again it showed out.  This was a screen grab from some of the footage we captured.   

Lake Winnipeg has quickly become one of my favorite places to visit and fish.  This time around we had the pleasure of filming a show with some of our friends in the industry.  The weather set up beautiful for outside fishing and fish decided to cooperate.  

The first day was a scout and recon day, but we still managed to get on a few fish and we saw Lance land his first walleye through the ice.  It was a dandy first walleye at about 27-28" range fish.  My day consisted of many lost fish, lots of eater size fish, and a few fish in that 22-26" range.  

Day two brought more of the same for me, I couldn't keep the fish buttoned up.  I did manage a few fish in the 26" range again and lots of eaters.  Most of our fish were coming on Clam Psycho Shads and #5 Rapala Rip'n Raps jigged rather aggressive.  I would jig 1-4 foot sweeps and then let the bait fall.  Sometimes they wanted a fast fall and loud rattle, other times they wanted a softer approach and less aggressive rattle.  When the fish responded to the more subtle baits I found the Clam Psycho Shad to be the best choice.  

Day three brought a change in the tide for me.  I started the morning on some giant gravel lizards and it proved to stay hot until abotu 9:30.  In the 3 hours of the morning I was able to land 2 fish over 28" and lots of nice other fish in the 20-27" range.  It was the kind of action we travel long hours for, and I will never forget that fire hot bite. 

I fish all my baits on either a 36" or 38" jigging rod with a Shimano 1000 size spinning reel.  Spool it with 10lb power pro braid and put a 10lb fluoro leader on.  Join the two lines with a small barrel swivel.  I typically run about a 2-3' leader.  The leader just adds a little stretch to the line since the braid has near zero stretch.  

We will be back in Winnipeg again this week and will have another report soon.  Until then, fish on and #grabyourrodandfish.  Get out and stretch the string.   

Cabin Fever

As I sit here and watch it blizzard out it has me thinking about summer and fall. Cabin fever has set in a big way. Although the perch bite in South Dakota has still been great, the game fish season here in MN has closed for another season. With our lack of ice until late December in much of MN it was a short ice season but a very good one. The bite on Lake Mille Lacs showed signs of being on a major up turn. The walleye seem to be recovering nicely and there are lots of small walleyes(11-14") to be caught.

The bite in South Dakota has been good if you are willing to work for the perch, walleye, and crappies. This next week I will be headed to Winnipeg for my annual giant gravel lizard trip, and if ice allows I may try to run back for another outing prior to ice out.

In the mean time, here is a quick elk teaser for all of you that are looking to skip right to September. Soon enough we will be chasing gobblers, smallmouth, and other summer fun.

Ice Has Run Me Over

With many recent requests for ice house rentals I am NO longer taking any more rentals or guide trips for the 2016 ice season.  I apprecaite everyones interest and look forward to taking care of those that got in with me prior to my schedule filling up.  

If you would like to tentaivley plan/book an ice fishing excursion for 2016-2017 winter, I am taking those reservations now.  

Thanks to everyone for a great winter thus far!   Now #grabyourrodandfish, Fish On!