Well, the fishing is getting a little better. This past weekend my partner in crime, Rick Dicus, and I took to the ice. It was pretty slow on Saturday and Sunday, I could only manage small fish, Rick picked up a nice bluegill and a 16 inch walleye on Angler's Bay.
Yesterday, Dec. 21st, I started out slowly, in fact I got skunked on Smith's Bay on Boji, I moved to Big Spirit about noon and the fun started. I fished some waypoints on Angler's Bay, and caught 3 of the biggest gills I have ever seen and numerous smaller gills. I also got some perch, in fact I kept 5, the biggest was about 10 inches the others about 8 inches.
The ice on Smith's Bay was about 11 inches. The ice on Angler's is about 8 inches.
Merry Christmas to one and all and maybe we will see you on the ice.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Ice'n Boji Land
Well, this past weekend through Monday, Rick Dicus and I went on a search for good ice and keeper fish in Boji Land, both were hard to find. Saturday we went to Silver Lake west of Ayrshire, IA, it was so windy we came back to Spirit Lake and fished the boat ramp pond at Templar Park. Between the 2 of use we caught about 50 small bluegills and a few small crappies no keepers. Sunday we made the run back to Silver, the ice was about 5 inches thick and very slushy on top. Two guys walked across from the east boat ramp to where we were just west of the dam, so the ice was thick enough to hold them all the way across in that area. I wouldn't have tried it. Anyway, we both caught a couple of 10 inch perch and a walleye about the same length. As you can see pretty slow for an entire afternoon. Monday, we started at the Miller's Bay canals where there is ample ice, just small gills and an occasional small crappie, moved to the bay on the grade at Big Spirit, 4 inches of iffy ice and small, small perch. I did catch one that was about 7 inches.
There are reports of some keeper perch on Anglers Bay, but the ice is not good enough for my taste. I have heard reports of several anglers going through the ice around the lakes area. No drownings.
Be careful out there. The long cold snap has given some a false sense of security. It snowed about 8 inches on top of that first ice, that snow has insulated the ice well, as a consequence the lakes aren't making ice very fast.
There are reports of some keeper perch on Anglers Bay, but the ice is not good enough for my taste. I have heard reports of several anglers going through the ice around the lakes area. No drownings.
Be careful out there. The long cold snap has given some a false sense of security. It snowed about 8 inches on top of that first ice, that snow has insulated the ice well, as a consequence the lakes aren't making ice very fast.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
New Ice Report
Just found out this morning that there is about 3 inches of ice in Millers Bay canals. I don't know how the fishing will be in there this winter, they were dredging it out last summer. I don't know if there will be enough weeds to hold gills and crappie. I will report.
I believe there will be enough ice this weekend for Anglers Bay on Big Spirit and the foot bridge bay on the grade at Big Spirit.
It is -12 this morning in Spirit Lake, IA.
I believe there will be enough ice this weekend for Anglers Bay on Big Spirit and the foot bridge bay on the grade at Big Spirit.
It is -12 this morning in Spirit Lake, IA.
Monday, December 05, 2005
The Ice Is Back
Well, we finally have ice at the Iowa Great Lakes. I took a drive around the area yesterday and talked to one hardy soul at the Templar Park boat ramp inlet, he said that where he was fishing it was about an inch and a half thick. I stepped back off the ice. All appears to be frozen except the main basin on West Okoboji. The problem is there is about 4-5 inches of snow on top of the ice that is insulating it and hampering making ice. The surface is slushy. Most of the smaller water froze last Tuesday night.
I have not been fishing, but I have been hunting. Phil King his brother Paul and I have had a couple of really nice goose shoots, getting our limit of 6 the last time out as well as three bonus Drake Mallards. We got into them last week the day before the storm that shut down South Dakota. The mallards where northern ducks, big with bright orange feet any yellow bills. We had our geese by 10:30 A.M.. We then spent about 2 hours just calling geese to our decoys, man is that a sight, at one time we had about 75-80 birds landing in the decoys they were all around us. Quite a sight.
I talked to Rick Dicus, EXPERIENCE THE OUTDOORS RADIO, and Harlan Herbst at 4 Seasons Bait and Tackle, Seney, IA. Rick as you know was my Trap Attack partner 2 years ago and he is fired up to get on the ice, as am I. Harlan has all your ice fishing needs at his shop.
Anyway that is what is going on up here. I am hunkered down waiting for safe ice. It is -8 F this morning in Spirit Lake, IA. Later
I have not been fishing, but I have been hunting. Phil King his brother Paul and I have had a couple of really nice goose shoots, getting our limit of 6 the last time out as well as three bonus Drake Mallards. We got into them last week the day before the storm that shut down South Dakota. The mallards where northern ducks, big with bright orange feet any yellow bills. We had our geese by 10:30 A.M.. We then spent about 2 hours just calling geese to our decoys, man is that a sight, at one time we had about 75-80 birds landing in the decoys they were all around us. Quite a sight.
I talked to Rick Dicus, EXPERIENCE THE OUTDOORS RADIO, and Harlan Herbst at 4 Seasons Bait and Tackle, Seney, IA. Rick as you know was my Trap Attack partner 2 years ago and he is fired up to get on the ice, as am I. Harlan has all your ice fishing needs at his shop.
Anyway that is what is going on up here. I am hunkered down waiting for safe ice. It is -8 F this morning in Spirit Lake, IA. Later
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Fall musings
Well I haven't been here for 2 months, my bad. This fall was pretty uneventful, I didn't fish as often as I would have liked but I did get out.
The fall muskie tournaments went well with plenty of fish caught and released. We had an excellent turn out for the 25 anniversary of the annual tournament and the Idso Muskie Fest went well. I finally caught a muskie about 3 weeks ago. A nice healthy 33 inch fish, caught on a Salmo in 2 feet of water on Big Spirit. I went out the next week with friends Scott Bringle and Dennis Heidebrink and had 3 follows. This was the most action I had all year.
I caught some nice keeper walleyes on Spirit, on a slipbobber,1/16th ounce jig and a minnow, 8-12 feet of water around weed clumps that were still green. I have also been catching some nice eyes casting from shore.
I put the Ranger away 2 weeks ago and have been kind moping around since then. I have done a little pheasant hunting and will be going duck and goose hunting Friday the 18th. I am hoping that Rick Dicus will be able to get up here to go along.
I guess that as far as fishing goes now I am waiting for hard water. I have the Strikemaster and Fishtrap ready to go! The Vexilar's battery is charged and the reels have fresh line. I don't think it will be too long now,the temp this AM was 15 degrees.
The fall muskie tournaments went well with plenty of fish caught and released. We had an excellent turn out for the 25 anniversary of the annual tournament and the Idso Muskie Fest went well. I finally caught a muskie about 3 weeks ago. A nice healthy 33 inch fish, caught on a Salmo in 2 feet of water on Big Spirit. I went out the next week with friends Scott Bringle and Dennis Heidebrink and had 3 follows. This was the most action I had all year.
I caught some nice keeper walleyes on Spirit, on a slipbobber,1/16th ounce jig and a minnow, 8-12 feet of water around weed clumps that were still green. I have also been catching some nice eyes casting from shore.
I put the Ranger away 2 weeks ago and have been kind moping around since then. I have done a little pheasant hunting and will be going duck and goose hunting Friday the 18th. I am hoping that Rick Dicus will be able to get up here to go along.
I guess that as far as fishing goes now I am waiting for hard water. I have the Strikemaster and Fishtrap ready to go! The Vexilar's battery is charged and the reels have fresh line. I don't think it will be too long now,the temp this AM was 15 degrees.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Winnibigoshish
Well, Dianne and I are back from Big Winnie. Man did we have a good time, weather was perfect except for the last day. We were forced off the water x's 2 by lightning not much fun.
We stayed at Williams Narrows Resort on Cutfoot Sioux, what a beautiful place and the hospitality of Joyce, Jerry, Joe, Bev, etal was marvelous. The resort is 372 miles from our house. The only bummer of the trip was the price of gas, the highest we found was $3.29/gal at Deer River, MN and the cheapest was $2.69 in Sauk Center on the way back.
Now to the fishing. The fishing was wonderful, the catching was so-so. Everyone was commenting on how slow the fishing was. I caught some nice fish one 24 inch and one 23 inch, of course those have to be released as the slot is to release everything between 17 and 26, that makes it rough, but it is supposed to be good for the fishery. We did have one meal of fish as planned and brought nine home, 7 walleye and 2 northern. I just couldn't get much going on live bait, you had to work real subtle breaks and with the wind I just had trouble controlling the big Ranger on those breaks, the backtrollers had more success. We did catch some fish drifting with a crawler and Phelps Floater, in fact the 23 came on that. Our best pattern was trolling #5 White Shad Raps in 8-12 feet of water along the north shore right west of the Gap. We lost 3 big fish and some smaller ones, they just weren't hammering the bait. Dianne kicked my you know what she caught most of the fish trolling. It was one of those deals same bait, same amount of line out etc and one rod outproduces the other.
As I mentioned earlier the weather was great except for that last day. We were on the water by 7:30 AM and the first storm came through about nine. We hightailed it back to the cabin and went out about an hour and a half later. We made one pull through our area and heard thunder, we were going to make one more pull, but thought better of it and left. I am sure glad we had the speed of the Ranger and 200HP Mercury Optimax available, because we wouldn't have made it back with out the speed. We stayed in after that, it rained over an inch in an hour, I had a wet boat when we got back to Spirit Lake.
This was my first outing with my new Lowrance LCX 25C and Navionics Hotmaps Premium North mapping chip. Man what a unit, the difference the color makes is significant. I recorded a couple of trolling runs on a chip, and that is really cool, you can see the sonar log as well as your path on the map, so you can get a better feel for the structure. I took the chip out brought it in the house and played it on the Lowrance Sonar Viewer in MapCreate 6. Really nice! I really like the capabilities of the unit, but of course I am a technology freak. I am going to get Doc Samson's second video, and learn more.
I am now preparing for the 25th Annual Release Tournament of Upper Great Plains Chapter of Muskies Inc. , I haven't been muskie fishing for over a month, so I have no clue as to what is going on out there. I am going to prefish tomorrow and Thursday. Later
We stayed at Williams Narrows Resort on Cutfoot Sioux, what a beautiful place and the hospitality of Joyce, Jerry, Joe, Bev, etal was marvelous. The resort is 372 miles from our house. The only bummer of the trip was the price of gas, the highest we found was $3.29/gal at Deer River, MN and the cheapest was $2.69 in Sauk Center on the way back.
Now to the fishing. The fishing was wonderful, the catching was so-so. Everyone was commenting on how slow the fishing was. I caught some nice fish one 24 inch and one 23 inch, of course those have to be released as the slot is to release everything between 17 and 26, that makes it rough, but it is supposed to be good for the fishery. We did have one meal of fish as planned and brought nine home, 7 walleye and 2 northern. I just couldn't get much going on live bait, you had to work real subtle breaks and with the wind I just had trouble controlling the big Ranger on those breaks, the backtrollers had more success. We did catch some fish drifting with a crawler and Phelps Floater, in fact the 23 came on that. Our best pattern was trolling #5 White Shad Raps in 8-12 feet of water along the north shore right west of the Gap. We lost 3 big fish and some smaller ones, they just weren't hammering the bait. Dianne kicked my you know what she caught most of the fish trolling. It was one of those deals same bait, same amount of line out etc and one rod outproduces the other.
As I mentioned earlier the weather was great except for that last day. We were on the water by 7:30 AM and the first storm came through about nine. We hightailed it back to the cabin and went out about an hour and a half later. We made one pull through our area and heard thunder, we were going to make one more pull, but thought better of it and left. I am sure glad we had the speed of the Ranger and 200HP Mercury Optimax available, because we wouldn't have made it back with out the speed. We stayed in after that, it rained over an inch in an hour, I had a wet boat when we got back to Spirit Lake.
This was my first outing with my new Lowrance LCX 25C and Navionics Hotmaps Premium North mapping chip. Man what a unit, the difference the color makes is significant. I recorded a couple of trolling runs on a chip, and that is really cool, you can see the sonar log as well as your path on the map, so you can get a better feel for the structure. I took the chip out brought it in the house and played it on the Lowrance Sonar Viewer in MapCreate 6. Really nice! I really like the capabilities of the unit, but of course I am a technology freak. I am going to get Doc Samson's second video, and learn more.
I am now preparing for the 25th Annual Release Tournament of Upper Great Plains Chapter of Muskies Inc. , I haven't been muskie fishing for over a month, so I have no clue as to what is going on out there. I am going to prefish tomorrow and Thursday. Later
Friday, August 26, 2005
Grandsons are cool
Well we just spent a wonderful week last week with our oldest grandson Stefan. He is now 16 and growing up so fast it is incredible. We spent some time on the water, of course (2 1/2) days to be exact. We caught some nice bluegills and had an excellent silver bass bite one afternoon. Stef out fished me of course.
Wednesday nite was Muskie League nite, and Stefan and I started on Eagle Point casting to a fish that I know is there, but she wouldn't show. I was proud of Stefan's casting ability, he did well for just learning how to cast baitcast equipment that week. It was raining pretty hard so we started trolling Depth Raiders in Emerson Bay, moved to Sunset and ended up in Smith's Bay, all to no avail. Randy Pritts won over $700.00 with a 40 inch muskie. Stefan enjoyed himself as did I. With the water temps starting to drop the skies should go on a tear soon.
Don't forget the 25th Anniversary Upper Great Plains Fall Release Tournament, Sept 16-18. The cost is $30.00 if you enter this week $35.00 after that. You get 3 meals BBQ ribs Friday nite, Chicken and biscuits Saturday, and brats on Sunday afternoon. Hell that is worth the cost of admission. There will be a lot of baits, rods nets on the raffle table as well as door prizes.
We are also giving away some fishing trips this year to Canada and Minnesota.
I haven't been up there but I am hearing rumors of a walleye bite starting up on Big Spirit, pull plugs in the basin on the edge of the break. The smallmouth bass are on a tear in Okoboji as well as the bull bluegills and perch.
Keep your hooks sharp and your line fresh.
Wednesday nite was Muskie League nite, and Stefan and I started on Eagle Point casting to a fish that I know is there, but she wouldn't show. I was proud of Stefan's casting ability, he did well for just learning how to cast baitcast equipment that week. It was raining pretty hard so we started trolling Depth Raiders in Emerson Bay, moved to Sunset and ended up in Smith's Bay, all to no avail. Randy Pritts won over $700.00 with a 40 inch muskie. Stefan enjoyed himself as did I. With the water temps starting to drop the skies should go on a tear soon.
Don't forget the 25th Anniversary Upper Great Plains Fall Release Tournament, Sept 16-18. The cost is $30.00 if you enter this week $35.00 after that. You get 3 meals BBQ ribs Friday nite, Chicken and biscuits Saturday, and brats on Sunday afternoon. Hell that is worth the cost of admission. There will be a lot of baits, rods nets on the raffle table as well as door prizes.
We are also giving away some fishing trips this year to Canada and Minnesota.
I haven't been up there but I am hearing rumors of a walleye bite starting up on Big Spirit, pull plugs in the basin on the edge of the break. The smallmouth bass are on a tear in Okoboji as well as the bull bluegills and perch.
Keep your hooks sharp and your line fresh.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Bluegills
Well, I was out yesterday with Dianne and grandson Stefan, bluegill fishing and it was tough. We fished Emerson and Eagle point with limited success. I wanted to drift the weeds in Emerson, however, the wind laid down and we couldn't drift effectively. We anchored in a spot that Rick Dicus and I had good luck on and caught nothing. We finally ended up in Haywards Bay about a boat length from a friend of ours, he was nailing nice gills and Stefan caught some nice ones. Dianne and I didn't have the touch. Stefan thinks it is cool to catch more fish than grandpa and so does grandpa.
We are going out later in the day today, my friend said the real bite starts around 6:00 PM, yesterday we quit early we had been out since 7:00 AM and the sun had us pretty worn out.
We are going out later in the day today, my friend said the real bite starts around 6:00 PM, yesterday we quit early we had been out since 7:00 AM and the sun had us pretty worn out.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Late summer report
Hello one and all. I must again apologize for the tardiness of my reports. Here is a synopsis of what has been going on in BojiLand since my last post 7-11-2005.
Muskie fishing for me has been a joke, I haven't even had a follow this summer. I did have a very vicious strike on Eagle Point on West Okoboji 2 weeks ago during league but that has been it. I must admit that I have only been muskie fishing this summer on league nites and no one is getting an action on those nights. I know some of the guys have been doing well but not me. I know of one fish on Big Spirit that is in the 55 inch plus range that several of the Upper Great Plains Chapter members have seen but I have not seen her. No one caught a legal fish during the moonlight madness tournament August 6-7th, 4 sublegals were caught. I would like to remind all of you of the 25th Annual Fall Release Tournament September 16-18. This being our 25 th anniversary, we are going to have some awesome door prizes and raffle items, including about 4 fishing trips to Canada and Minnesota, rods, reels, nets, hookouts, Knipex bolt cutters, and many many baits. Your entry fee of $35.00 gets you 3 meals that is worth the price of admission. Friday nite's meal is Barbecue Ribs by the Blau brothers, don't miss that one.
My walleye fishing around here has been so-so. I did manage to catch a 27 incher on Big Spirit, July 16th as well as two 18's but that is the best day I have had. Dianne and I went to Lake Sharpe the week of Aug 1st. I hooked on to the Ranger and picked her up at the Sioux Falls airport on Monday the 1st (she was returning from the bushmaster Classic) and we headed for Chamberlain, SD. We had excellent fishing on Sharpe in spite of the 100 degree heat. We had our limits caught by noon all three days. We caught all of our fish trolling crankshaft on lead core line in 35-40 feet of water.
I have been having sporadic success fishing bull blacklist in West Okoboji. Some days you just hammer them and the next you have to scratch for them. The later was the case yesterday, Rick Dicus and I went out and scrapped up 14 of them but they were nice ones. Dicus did most of the catching yesterday, not me. In fact, we were anchored in 22 feet of water and he was casting a pilkie with a couple of maggots and catching the bulls as he reeled it in. I never caught a one doing that, I just didn't have the touch yesterday. I did, however, have the touch on Wednesday, when the catching was done mostly by yours truly. It is funny how that goes, 2 people in the boat doing the same thing and one guy gets them and the other doesn't. Strange, but I am sure all of you have experienced this as well.
Today Dianne and I got to Sioux City to pick up our oldest Grandson Stefan. Stef will be with us a week and we will do some fishing. Stefan is almost 16 and has his learners permit for driving. He will want to drive granpa's truck, but he also asked if I was going to teach him how to operate the Ranger. I told him of course, right after he learns how to back the boat trailer down the ramp. We will work on that. Stefan is also going to fish Muskie League with me Wednesday nite, he is looking forward to that I think as he has never fished in tournament, but has watched me at weigh-ins in tournaments I have fished.
perch fishing has been slow on Big Spirit but some nice fish are being taken on the deep weedlines on West Okoboji. Dicus and I started yesterday on Spirit but could not even mark anything in the basin. I believe the perch are in the weeds and we didn't feel like going in the weeds and grinding it out. We moved to Okoboji as reported above.
Dianne and I will be going to Winnibigosh the first week and September and I will report to you about that outing. After all even though Winni is several hours from here I get to define the boundaries of Boji Land, because this is my Blog. So Boji Land is where ever I am fishing!
LATER
Muskie fishing for me has been a joke, I haven't even had a follow this summer. I did have a very vicious strike on Eagle Point on West Okoboji 2 weeks ago during league but that has been it. I must admit that I have only been muskie fishing this summer on league nites and no one is getting an action on those nights. I know some of the guys have been doing well but not me. I know of one fish on Big Spirit that is in the 55 inch plus range that several of the Upper Great Plains Chapter members have seen but I have not seen her. No one caught a legal fish during the moonlight madness tournament August 6-7th, 4 sublegals were caught. I would like to remind all of you of the 25th Annual Fall Release Tournament September 16-18. This being our 25 th anniversary, we are going to have some awesome door prizes and raffle items, including about 4 fishing trips to Canada and Minnesota, rods, reels, nets, hookouts, Knipex bolt cutters, and many many baits. Your entry fee of $35.00 gets you 3 meals that is worth the price of admission. Friday nite's meal is Barbecue Ribs by the Blau brothers, don't miss that one.
My walleye fishing around here has been so-so. I did manage to catch a 27 incher on Big Spirit, July 16th as well as two 18's but that is the best day I have had. Dianne and I went to Lake Sharpe the week of Aug 1st. I hooked on to the Ranger and picked her up at the Sioux Falls airport on Monday the 1st (she was returning from the bushmaster Classic) and we headed for Chamberlain, SD. We had excellent fishing on Sharpe in spite of the 100 degree heat. We had our limits caught by noon all three days. We caught all of our fish trolling crankshaft on lead core line in 35-40 feet of water.
I have been having sporadic success fishing bull blacklist in West Okoboji. Some days you just hammer them and the next you have to scratch for them. The later was the case yesterday, Rick Dicus and I went out and scrapped up 14 of them but they were nice ones. Dicus did most of the catching yesterday, not me. In fact, we were anchored in 22 feet of water and he was casting a pilkie with a couple of maggots and catching the bulls as he reeled it in. I never caught a one doing that, I just didn't have the touch yesterday. I did, however, have the touch on Wednesday, when the catching was done mostly by yours truly. It is funny how that goes, 2 people in the boat doing the same thing and one guy gets them and the other doesn't. Strange, but I am sure all of you have experienced this as well.
Today Dianne and I got to Sioux City to pick up our oldest Grandson Stefan. Stef will be with us a week and we will do some fishing. Stefan is almost 16 and has his learners permit for driving. He will want to drive granpa's truck, but he also asked if I was going to teach him how to operate the Ranger. I told him of course, right after he learns how to back the boat trailer down the ramp. We will work on that. Stefan is also going to fish Muskie League with me Wednesday nite, he is looking forward to that I think as he has never fished in tournament, but has watched me at weigh-ins in tournaments I have fished.
perch fishing has been slow on Big Spirit but some nice fish are being taken on the deep weedlines on West Okoboji. Dicus and I started yesterday on Spirit but could not even mark anything in the basin. I believe the perch are in the weeds and we didn't feel like going in the weeds and grinding it out. We moved to Okoboji as reported above.
Dianne and I will be going to Winnibigosh the first week and September and I will report to you about that outing. After all even though Winni is several hours from here I get to define the boundaries of Boji Land, because this is my Blog. So Boji Land is where ever I am fishing!
LATER
Monday, July 11, 2005
It is picking up a bit
Well, I finally caught some keeper walleyes on Big Spirit. Friday we caught a nineteen and Saturday I caught an eighteen and a twenty-seven incher! We caught probably only 10 short fish but we only fished in the afternoon until about six. Man is it hot out there even with 20 MPH winds. I am hoping the larger fish in the basin are about to go on a tear.
I don't know what to think, most anglers are of the opinion that the larger fish are all gone, I am not so sure. However, I do think that a slot where you would release everything between say 15 and 22 inches might help. I bet you would only have to do that for a few years and the numbers of nice fish would be back. I don't know I am not a fisheries biologist but it might bear some looking into.
You know I bet some of you are asking why I never seem to report about West and East Okoboji, it is because I haven't been on that water since before Memorial Day. I just am not going to put up with the boat traffic hassle until I start muskie fishing at day break until about 9 or 10 AM. In my opinion it isn't worth the aggravation, I know there are some nice bluegill and crappie being caught as always. I have not heard many walleye reports. I know the muskie guys are catching a few in the weeds. You can always get something going on west if you are willing to bounce around in the boat chop.
I have friends who are going out to South Dakota from time to time and the report is that Oahe is back. If you are diehard "eye" chasers you already know that.
I talked to Shannon Green yesterday and he and Randy Meyers had a good trip to Lake Of The Woods. They caught 14 muskies and really had good walleye fishing as well. The crew that I go to Lake Of The Woods with left last Thursday, I was unable to attend this year.
Well that's it for know. Keep your hooks sharp!!
I don't know what to think, most anglers are of the opinion that the larger fish are all gone, I am not so sure. However, I do think that a slot where you would release everything between say 15 and 22 inches might help. I bet you would only have to do that for a few years and the numbers of nice fish would be back. I don't know I am not a fisheries biologist but it might bear some looking into.
You know I bet some of you are asking why I never seem to report about West and East Okoboji, it is because I haven't been on that water since before Memorial Day. I just am not going to put up with the boat traffic hassle until I start muskie fishing at day break until about 9 or 10 AM. In my opinion it isn't worth the aggravation, I know there are some nice bluegill and crappie being caught as always. I have not heard many walleye reports. I know the muskie guys are catching a few in the weeds. You can always get something going on west if you are willing to bounce around in the boat chop.
I have friends who are going out to South Dakota from time to time and the report is that Oahe is back. If you are diehard "eye" chasers you already know that.
I talked to Shannon Green yesterday and he and Randy Meyers had a good trip to Lake Of The Woods. They caught 14 muskies and really had good walleye fishing as well. The crew that I go to Lake Of The Woods with left last Thursday, I was unable to attend this year.
Well that's it for know. Keep your hooks sharp!!
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Fishing is slow.
Hello all, I have again been remiss in my reporting. I have not been out very much as of late and when I have been I catch numbers of walleyes on Big Spirit but very few legal fish. I know some of you are getting them but not me.
We had muskie league last nite and no fish where caught and no follows where reported. Dianne and I tried Reed's Run and the cabbage beds in Anglers Bay, all to no avail. It has really been dead. Hopefully the muskie will go on a bite soon. The guys from the muskie club left for Lake Of The Woods this morning. This is the first year in 6 that I haven't gone, I am not in a good mood!
I talked to Steve Smith, Marketing Director for Ranger Boats, last week. Steve told me to look for a major announcement coming soon regarding the 620. Ranger has made some changes, to the hull and some Hi-tech stuff as well. I am not at liberty to share these changes at this time.
I had a good conversation about a week ago with my high school chum Marv Gilbert, he said he has been doing fairly well on the river when he is able to get out. I need to make a trip to Clinton and do a little fishing again with Marv, it has been about 7 years since I was last over there to fish with Marv and Bill. Anyway that is about it for now. I am still trying to get to the Missouri but haven't gone yet.
We had muskie league last nite and no fish where caught and no follows where reported. Dianne and I tried Reed's Run and the cabbage beds in Anglers Bay, all to no avail. It has really been dead. Hopefully the muskie will go on a bite soon. The guys from the muskie club left for Lake Of The Woods this morning. This is the first year in 6 that I haven't gone, I am not in a good mood!
I talked to Steve Smith, Marketing Director for Ranger Boats, last week. Steve told me to look for a major announcement coming soon regarding the 620. Ranger has made some changes, to the hull and some Hi-tech stuff as well. I am not at liberty to share these changes at this time.
I had a good conversation about a week ago with my high school chum Marv Gilbert, he said he has been doing fairly well on the river when he is able to get out. I need to make a trip to Clinton and do a little fishing again with Marv, it has been about 7 years since I was last over there to fish with Marv and Bill. Anyway that is about it for now. I am still trying to get to the Missouri but haven't gone yet.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Fishin Boji is Sloooow
Well it has been awhile since my last entry. Fishin has been slow, in the Iowa Great Lakes area, at least for me. While it has been easy to catch numbers of short walleyes, the keepers are coming harder. I would think the fish would go on a chew soon.
Rick Dicus and I have been to southern Minnesota recently and have had mixed success. We are catching some nice walleyes up to 25 inches but it is hit and miss, we get them one day and the next day nada.
This past Sunday my wife Dianne and I went up to Big Spirit and of course she kicked my you know what. We both caught one keeper, mine was just 14 inches and hers was 25 inches. Way cool, I love it when she catches a nice fish.
The muskie fishing has been spotty, I haven't hooked up yet and have had only one follow. I have only been out twice though. I know some of the guys that are out quite a bit a catching some fish. Dianne and I saw two legals caught and kept on Sunday and there was a 52 inch, 41 lb ski caught last week in front of Reed's Run by a walleye angler trolling. Oh, well that is the way it goes, I have been hunting for a 50 plus fish for years now, to no avail. Someday!!
The panfisherman have been doing well all over the Iowa Great Lakes.
What a blessing they finally found the Hellmers boy, who drowned last fall in that dock barge accident. I hope the family finally gets some closure.
Rick Dicus and I have been to southern Minnesota recently and have had mixed success. We are catching some nice walleyes up to 25 inches but it is hit and miss, we get them one day and the next day nada.
This past Sunday my wife Dianne and I went up to Big Spirit and of course she kicked my you know what. We both caught one keeper, mine was just 14 inches and hers was 25 inches. Way cool, I love it when she catches a nice fish.
The muskie fishing has been spotty, I haven't hooked up yet and have had only one follow. I have only been out twice though. I know some of the guys that are out quite a bit a catching some fish. Dianne and I saw two legals caught and kept on Sunday and there was a 52 inch, 41 lb ski caught last week in front of Reed's Run by a walleye angler trolling. Oh, well that is the way it goes, I have been hunting for a 50 plus fish for years now, to no avail. Someday!!
The panfisherman have been doing well all over the Iowa Great Lakes.
What a blessing they finally found the Hellmers boy, who drowned last fall in that dock barge accident. I hope the family finally gets some closure.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Boji Update
Walleye fishing has been slow, in the last two trips to Big Spirit, I have caught many fish and only 4 keepers. Dicus and I caught 3 keepers a week ago. Scott Berry and I caught about 25 fish on Monday of this week and had one 18 inch fish and a 17 inch smallie. However, on late Monday afternoon the muskies went nuts in shallow water. I netted a 40 for Mark Mitchell and he caught two more after I left. I had 3 skies to the boat in 2 casts. The first muskie came in hot and took a swing at my bucktail, missed and took off. On the next cast 45 plus came lazily to the boat with a small male by her side. They weren't interested in eating, the spent about 30 seconds behind the boat near the big engine and then lazily swam off.
Rick Dicus and I are going to a small prairie lake in Minnesota this morning, walleye fishing, I will report later.
Rick Dicus and I are going to a small prairie lake in Minnesota this morning, walleye fishing, I will report later.
Monday, May 16, 2005
I'M BAAAACK
Well it has been awhile. I have been lackadaisical in my posting on BojiLand.
The walleye opener was a bust for Scott Berry and myself, what with a lightning storm coming through every 15 minutes, cold and wind it was tough. We didn't even go out at midnite this year, too many storms in the area. We finally got out Sat AM, and pulled cranks on leadcore at the north end of Boji, Egralharve, Emerson, nothing. We made a decision to move to the first basin north of the narrows, there we contacted probably 30 walleyes Saturday afternoon. Water temp on East was 63 as opposed to 53 on West. The best lure was a Ripstick, in a purple back chartreuse side, white belly pattern, we also caught a few on Baby Thunder Sticks. Sunday we tried the deep water in Browns Bay on West Okoboji and caught one smallie.
Yesterday, Dianne and I went to Big Spirit, it was her first outing of the year, we had a blast. I didn't keep and accurate count but I lost count at 28 walleyes. We caught 3 keepers. I caught a 32 inch muskie, too bad season is not open, I would have had my first report of the season for the club. We caught them on 5Ft leaders, bare red #2 hook, 4-6 ft lead and a green bead, with a No-Snagg sinker, and a minnow or leech, in 10-17 Ft of water. It was a beautiful day for a change, light wind (just enough) although it was a little chilly.
The walleye opener was a bust for Scott Berry and myself, what with a lightning storm coming through every 15 minutes, cold and wind it was tough. We didn't even go out at midnite this year, too many storms in the area. We finally got out Sat AM, and pulled cranks on leadcore at the north end of Boji, Egralharve, Emerson, nothing. We made a decision to move to the first basin north of the narrows, there we contacted probably 30 walleyes Saturday afternoon. Water temp on East was 63 as opposed to 53 on West. The best lure was a Ripstick, in a purple back chartreuse side, white belly pattern, we also caught a few on Baby Thunder Sticks. Sunday we tried the deep water in Browns Bay on West Okoboji and caught one smallie.
Yesterday, Dianne and I went to Big Spirit, it was her first outing of the year, we had a blast. I didn't keep and accurate count but I lost count at 28 walleyes. We caught 3 keepers. I caught a 32 inch muskie, too bad season is not open, I would have had my first report of the season for the club. We caught them on 5Ft leaders, bare red #2 hook, 4-6 ft lead and a green bead, with a No-Snagg sinker, and a minnow or leech, in 10-17 Ft of water. It was a beautiful day for a change, light wind (just enough) although it was a little chilly.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Clear Lake Muskie
Well the Heartland Chapter's annual muskie tournament is over. Mark and I blanked on tournament day but we sure got cold. Man was it windy and cold. We caught 2 sub-legals and lost a big one on Friday trolling, but the tournament was Saturday. We actually were trying to pick up a few walleyes on Friday, when the muskies hit. The best area was from the fish hatchery east to the DOCK restaurant. The winning fish was caught west of that on Fishermans Reef, a nice 42 incher I believe it was. We had a great time and the Heartland Chapter did an excellent job, I believe Chris McCabe told me they had 62 fishermen this year, their largest turn out ever.
I am now getting ready for the walleye opener here at the Iowa Great Lakes. My friend Scott Berry and I will be hitting West Okoboji first fishing out of his 2050 Skeeter and then if that doesn't pan out we will move to Big Spirit and fish out of my Ranger 619. His boat is in the hoist so we won't have to fuss with taking his out etc.
The weather is supposed to warm up into the 70's this weekend, that will be heaven. The low here last night was 28. WOW
I am now getting ready for the walleye opener here at the Iowa Great Lakes. My friend Scott Berry and I will be hitting West Okoboji first fishing out of his 2050 Skeeter and then if that doesn't pan out we will move to Big Spirit and fish out of my Ranger 619. His boat is in the hoist so we won't have to fuss with taking his out etc.
The weather is supposed to warm up into the 70's this weekend, that will be heaven. The low here last night was 28. WOW
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Heartland Muskie
I have nothing to report about the Iowa Great Lakes, I haven't been able to get out for a week. I believe the bass have slowed down some. I know they are still getting crappie in the canals and off the grade but that has also slowed due to the cold rainy weather. BIG NEWS I failed to report that the spillway on Big Spirit is running, good news for fishing in East Lake where the spillway runs into East, walleye, silvers etc.
Well, I am off to Clear Lake, IA Friday, for the Heartland Chapter of Muskies Inc.'s annual Dale Ahrendt Muskie Spring Tune-Up. If you are a muskie hound I would encourage you to enter the tournament. It costs $25.00 and you get at least that much back in food. You can sign up at tournament headquarters "The Other Place" 200 Highway 18 West, Clear Lake, IA Friday night, or you can sign up at the boat ramp at McIntosh Park Saturday morning. The Heartland Chapter always has good food, a ton of door prizes and raffle items. I will report on Monday.
Of course you all know that the walleye opener is the following weekend, May 7th. I would encourage one and all to sign up for a chance at a $10,000.00 tagged walleye, all proceeds going to Easter Seals of course.
Well, I am off to Clear Lake, IA Friday, for the Heartland Chapter of Muskies Inc.'s annual Dale Ahrendt Muskie Spring Tune-Up. If you are a muskie hound I would encourage you to enter the tournament. It costs $25.00 and you get at least that much back in food. You can sign up at tournament headquarters "The Other Place" 200 Highway 18 West, Clear Lake, IA Friday night, or you can sign up at the boat ramp at McIntosh Park Saturday morning. The Heartland Chapter always has good food, a ton of door prizes and raffle items. I will report on Monday.
Of course you all know that the walleye opener is the following weekend, May 7th. I would encourage one and all to sign up for a chance at a $10,000.00 tagged walleye, all proceeds going to Easter Seals of course.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Boji Update
Well the tempo is picking up in the Iowa Great Lakes Region (Boji Land). Last weekend there was a bass tournament on Okoboji and on Spirit. The smallie bite continues to be hot for us. I took a drive around Big Spirit last Saturday and not one boat was on our spot or any spot like we were fishing. I didn't go to the weigh-in so I don't know how they did. Mark Mitchell and I took a run at both Big Spirit and West Okoboji last week and did well. The bass we caught on boji were not as big as the bass on Spirit. I believe the water temperature is the reason, Big Spirit was about 56-58 and West Okoboji was 48-51. The big females are up shallow on Spirit and not on Boji. The water temps are going to take a plunge tomorrow nite, lows expected to be in low 30's brr.
Rick Dicus, Harlan Herbst and I took another run at Silver Lake Sunday, it sucked. We got on the water at 8 AM in fog so thick you could hardly see the buoys at the boat ramp. After a little confusion until we found the point to follow, we pitched jigs from the southeast corner to Trapper Bay, Harlan caught one sheephead on a deadstick and crawler, and Rick and I missed one each. The walleye definitely were negative. Water temp warmed to 58 in the afternoon, still nothing. Rick caught a 13 incher on a Flasher Jig in the afternoon, and I got bit off by a Northern and that was it. Harlan got antsy about 3:30 so we quit, mistake. Leif from Hartley was just putting in when we took out, he said he killed them from 4:00 until dark on Saturday. Oh well, we had a good time anyway.
I talked to my good friend Scott Berry yesterday. He is just back from a GNWC tournament out on Lake Sharpe in South Dakota. He and his partner Curt had to fish in 35 MPH winds during the tournament, but they did fill a limit, good enough for 13th place just out of the money.
Rick Dicus, Harlan Herbst and I took another run at Silver Lake Sunday, it sucked. We got on the water at 8 AM in fog so thick you could hardly see the buoys at the boat ramp. After a little confusion until we found the point to follow, we pitched jigs from the southeast corner to Trapper Bay, Harlan caught one sheephead on a deadstick and crawler, and Rick and I missed one each. The walleye definitely were negative. Water temp warmed to 58 in the afternoon, still nothing. Rick caught a 13 incher on a Flasher Jig in the afternoon, and I got bit off by a Northern and that was it. Harlan got antsy about 3:30 so we quit, mistake. Leif from Hartley was just putting in when we took out, he said he killed them from 4:00 until dark on Saturday. Oh well, we had a good time anyway.
I talked to my good friend Scott Berry yesterday. He is just back from a GNWC tournament out on Lake Sharpe in South Dakota. He and his partner Curt had to fish in 35 MPH winds during the tournament, but they did fill a limit, good enough for 13th place just out of the money.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Big Spirit Bass Are Hot
Hello, all. I was able to get on the water Thursday afternoon with my good friend Mark Mitchell and after a good deal of searching we found the spot on the spot totally opposite of what we expected. We were looking for early season smallies on the rocks in the sun and they weren't there, they were in what little bits of weeds we could find. What a blast! We caught smallies, largemouth and silvers. The bait was either a medium size Rapala Husky Jerk or a Rapala DT6 both in Silver Minnow color. We did catch a few on Frenzies but the Husky Jerk was the best. What a blast, beautiful day on the water.
Again I was amazed by the Optima's. We got on the water about 2:30 and came off at 7:00, I plugged the charger in and went about the usual after trip boat chores and the green lights came on about 30 minutes later, granted the wind wasn't howling so I didn't have to run the trolling motor on high, but that is still pretty impressive to me. Later
Again I was amazed by the Optima's. We got on the water about 2:30 and came off at 7:00, I plugged the charger in and went about the usual after trip boat chores and the green lights came on about 30 minutes later, granted the wind wasn't howling so I didn't have to run the trolling motor on high, but that is still pretty impressive to me. Later
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
First Soft Water Outing Of The Season
Well, I finally was able to put the Ranger in the water and do a little walleye fishing this past weekend. Here is what went down. Sunday, Rick and I fished Silver Lake in Dickinson County to no avail, I lost one fish and Rick landed a 10 incher. A real disappointing trip, because the reports had been excellent. Evidently the bite had switched to evening because there were 5 guys in belly boats and an equal number in waders just west of the boat ramp when we came in Sunday night. BRRR, the water temp was 49.4.
Monday April 6th, we packed up and went to Storm Lake in Buena Vista County, and man am I glad we did. We caught 12 walleyes and kept 8 between 15 and 17 inches. We just couldn't get that last fish for 3 limits. Rick Dicus (Experience The Outdoors) and Harlan Herbst, (4 Seasons Bait and Tackle, Seney, IA), were in the boat with me. The pattern was Walleye Flasher Jigs and a minnow in 5-2 feet of water. It also seemed to help if you had a piece of Berkley Power Grub on the jig as well. The walleyes were really biting short, you had to feed it back to them if you felt them, it didn't help to have a stinger on, they ignored the offering completely if a stinger was added to the jig.
I was really impressed with the performance of my Optima batteries, the 3 D31M batteries had plenty of power to push the 74lb thrust trolling motor and run the live well, bait well, and all the electronics all day long both days. It takes about half the time to recharge them that it takes to charge the wet cells. I think I have convinced Rick to give them a try, I know he has ordered one to replace his cranking battery that was dead this spring. Anyway the the first trip of the year was a lot of fun with friends, with the bonus of catching a few fish.
Monday April 6th, we packed up and went to Storm Lake in Buena Vista County, and man am I glad we did. We caught 12 walleyes and kept 8 between 15 and 17 inches. We just couldn't get that last fish for 3 limits. Rick Dicus (Experience The Outdoors) and Harlan Herbst, (4 Seasons Bait and Tackle, Seney, IA), were in the boat with me. The pattern was Walleye Flasher Jigs and a minnow in 5-2 feet of water. It also seemed to help if you had a piece of Berkley Power Grub on the jig as well. The walleyes were really biting short, you had to feed it back to them if you felt them, it didn't help to have a stinger on, they ignored the offering completely if a stinger was added to the jig.
I was really impressed with the performance of my Optima batteries, the 3 D31M batteries had plenty of power to push the 74lb thrust trolling motor and run the live well, bait well, and all the electronics all day long both days. It takes about half the time to recharge them that it takes to charge the wet cells. I think I have convinced Rick to give them a try, I know he has ordered one to replace his cranking battery that was dead this spring. Anyway the the first trip of the year was a lot of fun with friends, with the bonus of catching a few fish.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Softwater!!!
Well, the ice is gone. West Okoboji went Wednesday morning, we had rain overnite and high winds. In fact, the wind is still blowing pretty hard. I backed the Ranger down the boat ramp on Tuesday and started both the engines and let them run for about 10 minutes to burn the fogging oil out of them. Everything is working fine, the tires on the trailer needed a little air but that is to be expected. I hope to get out Sunday with Rick Dicus for a little walleye fishing either on Storm Lake in Buena Vista County or Silver Lake here in Dickinson County.
I must be honest with you, the way the damn gas prices are going through the roof I don't know if I am going to go anywhere this year that is a long drive. I can't bear the thought of helping those bastards get another record profit. (Oil Companies) Oh well, enough of that rant.
I heard a report today that the smallies are starting to go on big Spirit, there is a report that someone caught and killed for a mount a 6lb smallmouth.
I will report how we do on Sunday.
I must be honest with you, the way the damn gas prices are going through the roof I don't know if I am going to go anywhere this year that is a long drive. I can't bear the thought of helping those bastards get another record profit. (Oil Companies) Oh well, enough of that rant.
I heard a report today that the smallies are starting to go on big Spirit, there is a report that someone caught and killed for a mount a 6lb smallmouth.
I will report how we do on Sunday.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Linn Grove
I went down to Linn Grove this morning to check out the walleye bite. To make a short story short, I didn't get a bite. I cast jigs for 3 hours and never got a sniff. I talked to a fellow there that had one nice eye about 26", he caught it deadsticking a minnnow in the boil hole. I suspect the bite is probably in the afternoon but I had to get back to the lakes. I talked to Harlan at Four Seasons Bait and Tackle, Seney, IA, on the way down to Linn Grove and he had down real well last week. If you are ever down Seney way and need bait and tackle stop and see Harlan, he will give you the straight news on the bite and he has great products in his store. I did some ice fishing with him this winter and he cooks a great hot dog.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Old Man Winter Ain't Done Yet
Well, I am up to my you no what in snow. We got 10 inches Friday. Wow! It seems like softwater fishing is getting farther away not closer, all the lakes refroze.
We had the board meeting of Upper Great Plains Chapter of Muskies Inc. last Thursday. If anyone that happens to take a look at this blog is interested in some really nice trips for 2006, make a mark on your calendars for Sept 16-18, 2005, the date of our Annual Release Tournament. We are planning to have 6 trips to give away some as raffle items, some just as drawings. The trips will be to Lake of The Woods, Leech, Mille Lacs, Vermillion, Cass and Lake Shelbyville in Ill. So, if you want to win a cool trip for next year I encourage you to come fish our 25 Anniversary Release Tournament. Sept 16-18.
I am finishing this entry on Monday the 21st. I took a drive around the area today to check out the lake conditions. Big Spirit is about 75% out, East Okoboji is out from Parks Marina to the Narrows and West Okoboji has a long way to go. I hear the eyes are hitting at the dam down at Linn Grove, might be worth the effort to burn a little fuel and give it a try.
My friend, Scott, from Rockford, Ill. stopped by today, always good to see him this time of the year it means the winter is about over. Scott and I will be fishing in the Great Walleye Weekend in the Iowa Great Lakes again this year. I hope I can stay awake this year while I am driving the boat on a trolling run!! Later
We had the board meeting of Upper Great Plains Chapter of Muskies Inc. last Thursday. If anyone that happens to take a look at this blog is interested in some really nice trips for 2006, make a mark on your calendars for Sept 16-18, 2005, the date of our Annual Release Tournament. We are planning to have 6 trips to give away some as raffle items, some just as drawings. The trips will be to Lake of The Woods, Leech, Mille Lacs, Vermillion, Cass and Lake Shelbyville in Ill. So, if you want to win a cool trip for next year I encourage you to come fish our 25 Anniversary Release Tournament. Sept 16-18.
I am finishing this entry on Monday the 21st. I took a drive around the area today to check out the lake conditions. Big Spirit is about 75% out, East Okoboji is out from Parks Marina to the Narrows and West Okoboji has a long way to go. I hear the eyes are hitting at the dam down at Linn Grove, might be worth the effort to burn a little fuel and give it a try.
My friend, Scott, from Rockford, Ill. stopped by today, always good to see him this time of the year it means the winter is about over. Scott and I will be fishing in the Great Walleye Weekend in the Iowa Great Lakes again this year. I hope I can stay awake this year while I am driving the boat on a trolling run!! Later
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Cool GPS Info
Hey, how is everyone in Boji Land. I found a cool place to learn about GPS signal degradation and how the government might screw with the signal. You have to go to the US Coast Guard auxillary website and click on Navigation Center, then Click on Boating Laws and Regulations and then click on Nav Rules. You will then be able to select GPS or DGPS on the left hand menu. I don't know how many of you are into that kind of technical stuff but if you are, this place has some interesting stuff.
So if you want to take you knowledge about what the heck your Lowrance or whatever you use is doing, this website might give you some insight.
I haven't been fishing, but there are still some folks sitting on the ice in some of the bays on West Okoboji and still some people on the ice at grade on the north end of Big Spirit. I was in Oh Shucks yesterday and a fellow brought in a pail full of gills but he was pretty closed mouth about where he had been fishing.
Rick and I are still trying to put together a trip to Chamberlain, I think the fish have been going out there at least that is the report on Walleye Central. I need to make a chip from MapCreate 6 for the area, I can't find the one I made last year, I must have loaned it to someone.
So if you want to take you knowledge about what the heck your Lowrance or whatever you use is doing, this website might give you some insight.
I haven't been fishing, but there are still some folks sitting on the ice in some of the bays on West Okoboji and still some people on the ice at grade on the north end of Big Spirit. I was in Oh Shucks yesterday and a fellow brought in a pail full of gills but he was pretty closed mouth about where he had been fishing.
Rick and I are still trying to put together a trip to Chamberlain, I think the fish have been going out there at least that is the report on Walleye Central. I need to make a chip from MapCreate 6 for the area, I can't find the one I made last year, I must have loaned it to someone.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
News from Okoboji
Well, I did well at the Muskie Banquet Raffle. I won a Triple D crankbait, some fuel treatment and a $10.00 gift certificate to Rollie and Helens Muskie Shop. This weekend is the Muskie Expo in the Twin Cities, did not attend this year. Scott B is picking me up a Pink Rad Dog and a Northern Pike pattern Phantom. I think I am getting as many muskie baits as I have walleye baits. I am nuts!!
Rick Dicus had me on his radio show today (Experience The Outdoors). The discussion today was rods, reels, line etc. for bass, walleye and muskie, Rick was pleased with the show.
I still haven't put the boat in water anywhere. I heard a rumor that Silver Lake at Lake Park, IA was open, Dianne and I drove over there this morning. The rumor is false, although I suspect some folks are catching some walleyes from shore by the aerator.
I still haven't received my promo kit from Optima Batteries so that I can take some pix and write the testimonial. I think I am going to do that from the river, maybe I could have a nice eye in the picture.
Rick Dicus had me on his radio show today (Experience The Outdoors). The discussion today was rods, reels, line etc. for bass, walleye and muskie, Rick was pleased with the show.
I still haven't put the boat in water anywhere. I heard a rumor that Silver Lake at Lake Park, IA was open, Dianne and I drove over there this morning. The rumor is false, although I suspect some folks are catching some walleyes from shore by the aerator.
I still haven't received my promo kit from Optima Batteries so that I can take some pix and write the testimonial. I think I am going to do that from the river, maybe I could have a nice eye in the picture.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Walleye, Muskie and getting ready.
This post is titled as such because I just tried to post and got a cannot find this page message bummer.
Anyway, I haven't posted for a week. I am in the middle of being between ice fishing and softwater fishing. I have been busy respooling reels, cleaning rod eyes etc. I am replacing the belly hooks on my crankbaits with red Daiichi hooks, I am sharpening hooks on muskie baits, building new muskie leaders etc. It is a time of transition. The lakes around here are still socked in with ice, but there is water standing on top of the ice in the afternoon and all the permanent shacks are gone. You can feel the pace of nature quickening, geese are moving, I saw a big swan this morning, it is just plain time for change.
I will be pulling the Ranger out in the driveway tomorrow, if it gets as warm as forecast. I will be cleaning her up inside and out, getting the contents of the hatches organized, checking trailer tire pressure, making sure all the electronics work etc. etc. I am then hoping to go either to Red Wing, Minnesota and the Mississippi or to Chamberlain,SD and the Missouri to do some walleye fishing and give the boat her spring shake down cruise. I need to run some carbon guard through the 200 Optimax as a preventative and just generally shake the cobwebs out of her. I am also anxious to see how the new Optima batteries work. I also need to take some pictures with Optima signage on the boat and write that testimonial to fulfill my contract with Optima.
Tonight, Dianne and I are going to the awards banquet of The Upper Great Plains Chapter of Muskies Inc, she and I are both on the board of directors. I was elected Regional Vice President for our chapter last year, I am humbled by the trust the club puts in me.
If any of you readers are interested in muskie fishing please go to our website for more information. www.muskieclub.com. We have 3 major tournaments per year and muskie league every other Wednesday night after work. It is a great time and a neat way to learn more about muskie fishing.
Anyway, I haven't posted for a week. I am in the middle of being between ice fishing and softwater fishing. I have been busy respooling reels, cleaning rod eyes etc. I am replacing the belly hooks on my crankbaits with red Daiichi hooks, I am sharpening hooks on muskie baits, building new muskie leaders etc. It is a time of transition. The lakes around here are still socked in with ice, but there is water standing on top of the ice in the afternoon and all the permanent shacks are gone. You can feel the pace of nature quickening, geese are moving, I saw a big swan this morning, it is just plain time for change.
I will be pulling the Ranger out in the driveway tomorrow, if it gets as warm as forecast. I will be cleaning her up inside and out, getting the contents of the hatches organized, checking trailer tire pressure, making sure all the electronics work etc. etc. I am then hoping to go either to Red Wing, Minnesota and the Mississippi or to Chamberlain,SD and the Missouri to do some walleye fishing and give the boat her spring shake down cruise. I need to run some carbon guard through the 200 Optimax as a preventative and just generally shake the cobwebs out of her. I am also anxious to see how the new Optima batteries work. I also need to take some pictures with Optima signage on the boat and write that testimonial to fulfill my contract with Optima.
Tonight, Dianne and I are going to the awards banquet of The Upper Great Plains Chapter of Muskies Inc, she and I are both on the board of directors. I was elected Regional Vice President for our chapter last year, I am humbled by the trust the club puts in me.
If any of you readers are interested in muskie fishing please go to our website for more information. www.muskieclub.com. We have 3 major tournaments per year and muskie league every other Wednesday night after work. It is a great time and a neat way to learn more about muskie fishing.
Muskie Club
Well it has been a week since I have written anything on this blog, primarily because I am in the middle of nothing to do. I am probably done ice fishing for the year. Therefore, it is now time to get ready for softwater fishing.
I have been busy replacing the belly hooks on my crankbaits with red daiichi hooks. I am sharpening the hooks on musky baits, respooling reels and generally organizing my stuff. If you an obsessed angler like I am you have lots of stuff.
Tomorrow, if it gets as warm as is forecast I am going to pull the Ranger out in the driveway and clean her up and get things organized in the hatches, check the tire pressures on the trailer, hook up all the electronics to make sure all the connections are good, clean any corroded connections and tighten them and on and on.
Tonight is the Upper Great Plains Chapter of Muskies Inc., awards banquet, Dianne and I will be attending for a sumptuous prime rib dinner and to hopefully win some raffle items. I am the Regional Vice President of the Upper Great Plains Chapter, I am humbled the rest of the board elected me to the position last year. I would encourage anyone reading this blog to get in touch with us if you are interested in learning about muskie fishing, our club welcomes all new members. We have 3 major club tournaments each year on the Iowa Great Lakes Chain of lakes and muskie league every other Wednesday of the month after the opener. You can see our schedule and join at our website www.muskieclub.com, please contact us if you are interested.
Right now I am pumped about the walleye opener and the muskie opener. I will be fishing the walleye opener with my good friend from Illinois, Scott Berry. Scott suggested we tag team them this year, using his Skeeter 2050 on West Okoboji and my Ranger 619 on Big Spirit, sounds like a plan.
I will report later how we did in the raffle drawing tonight, I will probably just be donating to the cause of Muskies Inc. That is the plan anyway. Later
I have been busy replacing the belly hooks on my crankbaits with red daiichi hooks. I am sharpening the hooks on musky baits, respooling reels and generally organizing my stuff. If you an obsessed angler like I am you have lots of stuff.
Tomorrow, if it gets as warm as is forecast I am going to pull the Ranger out in the driveway and clean her up and get things organized in the hatches, check the tire pressures on the trailer, hook up all the electronics to make sure all the connections are good, clean any corroded connections and tighten them and on and on.
Tonight is the Upper Great Plains Chapter of Muskies Inc., awards banquet, Dianne and I will be attending for a sumptuous prime rib dinner and to hopefully win some raffle items. I am the Regional Vice President of the Upper Great Plains Chapter, I am humbled the rest of the board elected me to the position last year. I would encourage anyone reading this blog to get in touch with us if you are interested in learning about muskie fishing, our club welcomes all new members. We have 3 major club tournaments each year on the Iowa Great Lakes Chain of lakes and muskie league every other Wednesday of the month after the opener. You can see our schedule and join at our website www.muskieclub.com, please contact us if you are interested.
Right now I am pumped about the walleye opener and the muskie opener. I will be fishing the walleye opener with my good friend from Illinois, Scott Berry. Scott suggested we tag team them this year, using his Skeeter 2050 on West Okoboji and my Ranger 619 on Big Spirit, sounds like a plan.
I will report later how we did in the raffle drawing tonight, I will probably just be donating to the cause of Muskies Inc. That is the plan anyway. Later
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Weekend Report
Well it was a so-so weekend for me ice fishing. I finally got them going yesterday (gills) with a small shrimpy and no bait. The water on Okoboji is very cloudy where I was fishing and I had to use my Vexilar FL-18. The pattern was to pound the bait and watch the Vex closely, when the fish rose up to the bait, I would start watching the spring bobber for that almost imperceptible twitch and then set the hook. I was unable to get on the ice before noon Friday and Saturday and the bite for me was later in the afternoon.
I ordered a Walleye Flasher kit from Reelbait.com, and I was flabbergasted when I came home Saturday evening that they were here already. My fishing buddy Rick Dicus, kicked my butt one day last summer on Big Spirit with this bait so I had to get an assortment. As you can probably infer, my attention is starting to shift towards softwater fishing. I didn't go on the ice today but spent some time putting new fireline on my linecounters and spooling up some 8lb Vanish Transition on some spinning reels. I am looking forward to using this line this year, it is fluorocarbon that is high-vis above water and invisible underwater.
I think that this weekend might have been it for me for icefishing this winter. We will see?
I ordered a Walleye Flasher kit from Reelbait.com, and I was flabbergasted when I came home Saturday evening that they were here already. My fishing buddy Rick Dicus, kicked my butt one day last summer on Big Spirit with this bait so I had to get an assortment. As you can probably infer, my attention is starting to shift towards softwater fishing. I didn't go on the ice today but spent some time putting new fireline on my linecounters and spooling up some 8lb Vanish Transition on some spinning reels. I am looking forward to using this line this year, it is fluorocarbon that is high-vis above water and invisible underwater.
I think that this weekend might have been it for me for icefishing this winter. We will see?
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
I have power.
The new Optima's came yesterday and I got them installed yesterday afternoon. I was elated that I didn't have to get new battery trays. The Optima D31M's fit right in the group 27 trays. I hooked up the new Dual Pro Charger and all lights were green, I am ready to hit the river! I need to write a testimonial and take some pictures and send to the promotion people. I have to try to do this in the next 2 weeks to honor my promo contract.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Weekend Report
Well, it was a pretty good weekend in spite of the weather. On Saturday we combined for a total of 20 keeper bluegills and crappie and yesterday about the same. It was miserable out yesterday, thank god for Clam Corp, Fishtraps, I was warm, snug and most importantly dry inside of my Fishtrap Pro. The pattern was the same Saturday and Sunday. Bobber Fry, 1/80 oz green jig or green Fat Boy and a waxie. You had to fish it deep and use the Vexilar to see the fish come in because the water was so cloudy you couldn't see them. I could see the bait but not the fish. I would was the sonar screen and when a fish showed on the screen I would watch the bait and you could see the take, but I just couldn't pick out the fish until it turned and flashed it's side.
I hope my Optima batteries get here this week, the Missouri River is open from Ft. Thompson down to the White River south of Chamberlain, SD, and they are getting walleyes at the dam.
I hope my Optima batteries get here this week, the Missouri River is open from Ft. Thompson down to the White River south of Chamberlain, SD, and they are getting walleyes at the dam.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Gillin on Boji
I got out on West Okoboji yesterday with Rick and Tim. The gills were real finicky, did manage to scrape 3 keepers out and released 4 dinks. Rick also kept 8 all that Tim could scrape together was 1 real nice crappie. I did catch one northern and released it. I forgot we can keep them after the walleye season closes. The northern was just the right size for pickling. The best bait yesterday was a green bobber fry with wax worm.
We are going out this morning about 10 AM, it is raining lightly right now. I can't believe it, raining in Feb., and the politicians say that global warming hasn't been confirmed. I can confirm it with my memory of how the weather has changed since I was a kid. This time of the year it is supposed to -20 F. Oh well, I don't need to get involved in that argument, can't do much about it anyway. I don't think my grandsons think I was ever a kid, even though I act like one sometimes.
I will report on today's outing later.
We are going out this morning about 10 AM, it is raining lightly right now. I can't believe it, raining in Feb., and the politicians say that global warming hasn't been confirmed. I can confirm it with my memory of how the weather has changed since I was a kid. This time of the year it is supposed to -20 F. Oh well, I don't need to get involved in that argument, can't do much about it anyway. I don't think my grandsons think I was ever a kid, even though I act like one sometimes.
I will report on today's outing later.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Back from the grandkids
Well, I have no fishing reports. Dianne and I did go see the the kids this past weekend, we hadn't seen them since October and we needed to see them. I babysat Caite on Saturday which was no big deal because she was down for a nap. We watched Jessie play basketball Sat. morning. I was able to show Stefan the blog and explain it to him a little bit. Sean, seemed to spend his time talking to his girlfriend. Man are those kids growing!
I talked to Rick yesterday, he went out on Big Spirit Saturday and caught some small walleyes. Rick did report that a fellow he had talked to has been getting some nice perch. I talked to Carl last Thursday and he had gotten some nice perch on East Okoboji the week before. Other than that it rained Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday. The ice doesn't look safe right now.
If anyone that reads this blog is a member of Muskies Inc, what did you think of the article in the last magazine regarding tournament? Some real food for thought there. I can see where the big money tournaments might cause even more resentment towards muskies than there already is.
I still haven't called Bill to see what is going on at Red Wing. I did get an email from Scott in Illinois and I might be able to meet him at Red Wing if he goes up there with the other Bill. I hope to have a report on that water and Yankton, SD, this spring.
I talked to Rick yesterday, he went out on Big Spirit Saturday and caught some small walleyes. Rick did report that a fellow he had talked to has been getting some nice perch. I talked to Carl last Thursday and he had gotten some nice perch on East Okoboji the week before. Other than that it rained Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday. The ice doesn't look safe right now.
If anyone that reads this blog is a member of Muskies Inc, what did you think of the article in the last magazine regarding tournament? Some real food for thought there. I can see where the big money tournaments might cause even more resentment towards muskies than there already is.
I still haven't called Bill to see what is going on at Red Wing. I did get an email from Scott in Illinois and I might be able to meet him at Red Wing if he goes up there with the other Bill. I hope to have a report on that water and Yankton, SD, this spring.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Not much going on
I don't have much to report or talk about this evening. I am in the process of fighting a cold, I am sure anyone out there reading this gives a hoot about that. I was going to go try to jerk some perch today but I just didn't feel up to it.
I did talk to a fellow Ranger owner today and he had the same thing happen to his onboard battery charger that I did. He also had the same wonderful customer service experience. Clay went with the dual pro batteries. I will be interested to see how they compare to the Optimas. I hope he catches some walleye tonight. He had called me for some information, I had none as I haven't been on the ice for a week.
I talked to Bruce from Boone yesterday and he is getting as anxious as I am to get to the river for some walleye fishing. I hope we get together this summer for a couple of trips. I told Bruce that as low as the Missouri River is we may have to go the Mississippi. I need to call Bill and see if he has been to Redwing, MN, lately.
I did talk to a fellow Ranger owner today and he had the same thing happen to his onboard battery charger that I did. He also had the same wonderful customer service experience. Clay went with the dual pro batteries. I will be interested to see how they compare to the Optimas. I hope he catches some walleye tonight. He had called me for some information, I had none as I haven't been on the ice for a week.
I talked to Bruce from Boone yesterday and he is getting as anxious as I am to get to the river for some walleye fishing. I hope we get together this summer for a couple of trips. I told Bruce that as low as the Missouri River is we may have to go the Mississippi. I need to call Bill and see if he has been to Redwing, MN, lately.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Too Warm To Ice
Hi I am back. I haven't been on the ice since Tuesday. The temperatures here in the Okoboji region have been in the 50's and 60's. I know there is still plenty of ice, but it becomes a matter of fighting the slop and water on top of the ice. I guess I am turning into a wuss, I just don't want to fight it. I will be back out next week when the temps are supposed to drop back into normal February ranges.
I still don't have my Optima Batteries, I called the company this week and they are on backorder. I understand this, they need to take care of their retailers first and then the folks in the sponsorship program. I was told they will ship the end of this month. I fiddled around yesterday after work for an hour and a half trying to get the last screw started to screw the Dual Pro Charger to the floor of the port side battery compartment. I only had 3 screws in before, because of that very issue. (accessibility) Anyway after some language, the screw went right in.
One of my fishing buddies (Rick Dicus) is up at Lake Of The Woods right now on a ice fishing trip, he will be back Sunday, I will report on his success or lack thereof. Rick is staying at Ballard's resort. Rick puts together a bus trip every year, in conjunction with his radio show "Exploring the Outdoors with Rick Dicus" on KMNS 620 AM. He is doing his show this morning from there.
Oh, I almost forgot the Iowa Great Lakes Winter Games were a success again this year. I had lunch the Thursday before at Bud's Pub and was fortunate to have a bowl of their Creole Chile, the 2005 chili contest winner. The only dark note was that three vehicles went through the ice on West Okoboji, one on Manhattan Beach point and two on Pikes Point, no injuries or drownings. Later
I still don't have my Optima Batteries, I called the company this week and they are on backorder. I understand this, they need to take care of their retailers first and then the folks in the sponsorship program. I was told they will ship the end of this month. I fiddled around yesterday after work for an hour and a half trying to get the last screw started to screw the Dual Pro Charger to the floor of the port side battery compartment. I only had 3 screws in before, because of that very issue. (accessibility) Anyway after some language, the screw went right in.
One of my fishing buddies (Rick Dicus) is up at Lake Of The Woods right now on a ice fishing trip, he will be back Sunday, I will report on his success or lack thereof. Rick is staying at Ballard's resort. Rick puts together a bus trip every year, in conjunction with his radio show "Exploring the Outdoors with Rick Dicus" on KMNS 620 AM. He is doing his show this morning from there.
Oh, I almost forgot the Iowa Great Lakes Winter Games were a success again this year. I had lunch the Thursday before at Bud's Pub and was fortunate to have a bowl of their Creole Chile, the 2005 chili contest winner. The only dark note was that three vehicles went through the ice on West Okoboji, one on Manhattan Beach point and two on Pikes Point, no injuries or drownings. Later
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Weekend Walleyes
Well we did it again. Rick, Harlan and I managed to round up about 9 walleyes on Saturday and Sunday, the most being caught on Sunday. These eater fish were all caught on Silver Lake in northwest Iowa by Lake Park. I must say that Rick did the best he had the hot hand and the only lure that seemed to work. The lure was a glow tiger Jiggn Rap by Normark lures. RAPALA. I of course went looking high and low for the lure and finally found one.
I went out yesterday with a friend from Laurens and we caught zip. I did talk to a fellow at the bait shop yesterday who has been picking up some nice perch in East Lake Okoboji, I will try that next.
I still haven't received my Optima batteries. I called the company today and they are on back order. I have a clause in the Sponsorship agreement that says I am to take pictures and write a little blurb about the batteries within 2 months of the receipt of the batteries. This will work out well because by the time I receive them supposedly at the end of this month, I will be a lot closer to putting the RANGER back in the water. I will probably take her to the Missouri River somewhere in South Dakota, (Chamberlain or Yankton) so I can write some kind of legitimate testimonial. I will try to take a few pictures as well.
I went out yesterday with a friend from Laurens and we caught zip. I did talk to a fellow at the bait shop yesterday who has been picking up some nice perch in East Lake Okoboji, I will try that next.
I still haven't received my Optima batteries. I called the company today and they are on back order. I have a clause in the Sponsorship agreement that says I am to take pictures and write a little blurb about the batteries within 2 months of the receipt of the batteries. This will work out well because by the time I receive them supposedly at the end of this month, I will be a lot closer to putting the RANGER back in the water. I will probably take her to the Missouri River somewhere in South Dakota, (Chamberlain or Yankton) so I can write some kind of legitimate testimonial. I will try to take a few pictures as well.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Perch and Walleye
Hello, I have been able to get out and do a little fishing at Silver Lake. I have been having some success on nice eater walleyes, up to 18 inches, and I even have been getting a few nice perch. In fact, I caught a perch last night that was 13 inches long. I caught only one perch though. The bite has been right at sundown and only last about 45 minutes. I have caught them on a Do-Jigger and a minnow and a Rat Finkie and a minnow.
The Iowa Great Lakes Winter Games are this weekend, so the place is going to be alive with tourists. Smith's Bay will be un-fishable, in fact it was yesterday, due to the crews getting the ice ready for all the festivities. This is always a great thing for the area, it brings in a lot of revenue to local businesses. The Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce does great job!!
I see there is some guy from Milford who thinks he is going to get the muskellunge season back the way it was. For those of you who don't know, muskie season now will close on December 1st instead of in February like before. The trade-off for Esox anglers is that we can now fish for northern pike year round. Anyway the reason the season was closed is that there were so many big muskies being killed by ice fisherman. Muskies are particularly vulnerable to ice fishing. The DNR, touts muskie angling as a trophy fishery and there were too many meat hunters killing them. Now the next step will be to get the fines for taking sub-legal fish and out of season fish raised in parity with what it costs to replace big game, ie. deer. I know this is controversial but I believe the fines need to be raised, not just on muskellunge but other species as well.
The Iowa Great Lakes Winter Games are this weekend, so the place is going to be alive with tourists. Smith's Bay will be un-fishable, in fact it was yesterday, due to the crews getting the ice ready for all the festivities. This is always a great thing for the area, it brings in a lot of revenue to local businesses. The Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce does great job!!
I see there is some guy from Milford who thinks he is going to get the muskellunge season back the way it was. For those of you who don't know, muskie season now will close on December 1st instead of in February like before. The trade-off for Esox anglers is that we can now fish for northern pike year round. Anyway the reason the season was closed is that there were so many big muskies being killed by ice fisherman. Muskies are particularly vulnerable to ice fishing. The DNR, touts muskie angling as a trophy fishery and there were too many meat hunters killing them. Now the next step will be to get the fines for taking sub-legal fish and out of season fish raised in parity with what it costs to replace big game, ie. deer. I know this is controversial but I believe the fines need to be raised, not just on muskellunge but other species as well.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Weekend etc.
Well, I have been somewhat remiss in posting to my blog. My wife's last chemo went well. However, she has been feeling a little more punky than usual. She shared with me last nite that she is losing her eyelashes, I hadn't noticed.
I did manage a little fishing Saturday and Sunday. Saturday I caught about 10 nice bluegill and one crappie in Miller's Bay Canals. I was fishing with Rick Dicus from Explore the Outdoors radio, and his neighbor Tim. Tim was unable to even get a bite so Rick and I gave our fish to him, he had promised his wife a fish fry. Yesterday sucked, I had numbers of gills in the hole, as well as crappie, no biters!
I found out this weekend that Rick's wife will clean his fish. My god, how he got that deal put together I will never know. I must admit, in all fairness, that my wife will debone the walleye fillets as I cut them off the fish. Speaking of filleting, I would encourage you to look in In-Fisherman mag, for the method that Doug Stange found a quide somewhere using, its really unique. I tried it last summer and it really works. Sorry, I don't have the issue date at hand. I will try to remember to post it later.
I did manage a little fishing Saturday and Sunday. Saturday I caught about 10 nice bluegill and one crappie in Miller's Bay Canals. I was fishing with Rick Dicus from Explore the Outdoors radio, and his neighbor Tim. Tim was unable to even get a bite so Rick and I gave our fish to him, he had promised his wife a fish fry. Yesterday sucked, I had numbers of gills in the hole, as well as crappie, no biters!
I found out this weekend that Rick's wife will clean his fish. My god, how he got that deal put together I will never know. I must admit, in all fairness, that my wife will debone the walleye fillets as I cut them off the fish. Speaking of filleting, I would encourage you to look in In-Fisherman mag, for the method that Doug Stange found a quide somewhere using, its really unique. I tried it last summer and it really works. Sorry, I don't have the issue date at hand. I will try to remember to post it later.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Last Chemo TX
Well this post is a little off the subject, but this is my blog and I will write what I damn well please!
Tomorrow my wife and I head for Sioux City, IA., for her last chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. We have been emotionally up and down since her diagnosis in October and subsequent surgery at the Mayo Clinic and then the chemo. We were additionally stressed when the clinical trial she had volunteered for was stopped because they were trying to find out if high doses of Celebrex would enhance the treatment and we all know what happened with Celebrex! Anyway I needed to vent a little and this seemed like the time to do it. She starts radiation next.
I did get an email from a friend today with a picture of a record walleye taken on Lake of the Woods that supposedly weighed in at 18 lbs. Awesome fish if the weight is legit. I am trying to get back out on the lake to do a little ice fishing but business calls.
Tomorrow my wife and I head for Sioux City, IA., for her last chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. We have been emotionally up and down since her diagnosis in October and subsequent surgery at the Mayo Clinic and then the chemo. We were additionally stressed when the clinical trial she had volunteered for was stopped because they were trying to find out if high doses of Celebrex would enhance the treatment and we all know what happened with Celebrex! Anyway I needed to vent a little and this seemed like the time to do it. She starts radiation next.
I did get an email from a friend today with a picture of a record walleye taken on Lake of the Woods that supposedly weighed in at 18 lbs. Awesome fish if the weight is legit. I am trying to get back out on the lake to do a little ice fishing but business calls.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Chargers and Batteries
I was unable to go fishing today, I needed to get a little bit of work done.
My wife and I are the proud owners of a 2003 RANGER 619 DVS, we love this boat. We previously owned a RANGER 681VS and loved that one also. I love everything about this boat size, speed, fishability, comfort, seaworthiness etc.
I always charge the batteries once a month during the winter while it is not being used as well as immediately after fishing, in fact I generally leave it plugged in. Last month I noticed that one of the banks on the charger was not showing anything. I called Charge Systems International (CSI), they make the Dual Pro charger in the boat. CSI explained how to do a reset, I did this and the charger still showed a bad bank. CSI promptly sent me a new charger free of charge, in fact they upgraded it to a salt water model, which is stainless steel. You talk about standing behind your product.
I decided to put 3 new batteries in the boat as long as I was doing this rewiring etc, in the winter in an unheated garage. Little bit of whining here. Anyway, after some research, I decided to go with the Optima D31M blue top deep cycle batteries for everything. Optima batteries a the AGM type technology (absorbent glass mat) I am anxious to see how they perform and will report on my experience with this summer. I need lots of power when I am out all day, these batteries should provide the power I need and I won't be fiddling with checking water levels.
My wife and I are the proud owners of a 2003 RANGER 619 DVS, we love this boat. We previously owned a RANGER 681VS and loved that one also. I love everything about this boat size, speed, fishability, comfort, seaworthiness etc.
I always charge the batteries once a month during the winter while it is not being used as well as immediately after fishing, in fact I generally leave it plugged in. Last month I noticed that one of the banks on the charger was not showing anything. I called Charge Systems International (CSI), they make the Dual Pro charger in the boat. CSI explained how to do a reset, I did this and the charger still showed a bad bank. CSI promptly sent me a new charger free of charge, in fact they upgraded it to a salt water model, which is stainless steel. You talk about standing behind your product.
I decided to put 3 new batteries in the boat as long as I was doing this rewiring etc, in the winter in an unheated garage. Little bit of whining here. Anyway, after some research, I decided to go with the Optima D31M blue top deep cycle batteries for everything. Optima batteries a the AGM type technology (absorbent glass mat) I am anxious to see how they perform and will report on my experience with this summer. I need lots of power when I am out all day, these batteries should provide the power I need and I won't be fiddling with checking water levels.
Monday, January 17, 2005
A day late and gill short
Well I had to work today, I sent my buddy from NE to the Millers Bay canals and he hammered the bull bluegills. Seems like that is how it goes sometimes, I miss the bite by a day or week, oh well, another time perhaps. He nailed them on a Genz Bug and wax worm. Rick had plenty of crappie in the hole but couldn't get them to eat. I hope to take a run at them tomorrow or the next day.
January15-16 Fishing Report
I can summarize the weekends fishing report as follows: TERRIBLE. We fished Millers Bay, Smiths Bay. Center bar in Millers. Drilled dozens of holes and caught nada. We tried walleye at dusk yesterday had some fish come in on the Vexilar but no biters. We tried for gills shallow 5-10 ft nothing. I never even had a gill come in the hole. My partner had a bass and some gills come through his hole.This was Sunday.
Saturday, same deal. However, I did have several fish in the hole in Smith's Bay but they were very negative. I have been getting the same report from other anglers.
I think the little beggars must have went on a bender and they all had hangovers from too much Miller Lite or something.
Later
Saturday, same deal. However, I did have several fish in the hole in Smith's Bay but they were very negative. I have been getting the same report from other anglers.
I think the little beggars must have went on a bender and they all had hangovers from too much Miller Lite or something.
Later
Friday, January 14, 2005
Weather in Boji Land and fishing report.
Well it was -12 F here this morning. The good news is the wind quit blowing last nite. I have a friend coming in from Nebraska later today for some ice fishing tomorrow.
The bite has been slow. We had been picking up some nice crappie and bluegills on Big Spirit Lake, but that has slowed down. I plan on taking him to West Okoboji tomorrow for some gill fishing and maybe to Silver Lake at Lake Park, Ia., for some walleye fishing. Reports indicate that gills on Boji are going on Jammin Jigs and a piece of Gulp nitecrawler and or a waxie. The report on Silver for walleye has been a jiggin Rapala and a minnow. I will report later.
The bite has been slow. We had been picking up some nice crappie and bluegills on Big Spirit Lake, but that has slowed down. I plan on taking him to West Okoboji tomorrow for some gill fishing and maybe to Silver Lake at Lake Park, Ia., for some walleye fishing. Reports indicate that gills on Boji are going on Jammin Jigs and a piece of Gulp nitecrawler and or a waxie. The report on Silver for walleye has been a jiggin Rapala and a minnow. I will report later.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Welcome
This is a new adventure for me. I intend to use this blog to try and provide information about fishing, methods, places, equipment that I use to be successful. I hope to publish fishing reports, hot bites and cool spots. If you have ever wondered about muskie, walleye or panfish in Boji Land this is the place to be.
I need mention where Boji Land is. Boji Land is located in northwest Iowa, some of you have heard of West and East Okoboji Lakes. Boji land includes that and more, to me it is all the water and wild spaces in northwest Iowa and some of the areas along the Iowa-Minnesota boarder.
I need mention where Boji Land is. Boji Land is located in northwest Iowa, some of you have heard of West and East Okoboji Lakes. Boji land includes that and more, to me it is all the water and wild spaces in northwest Iowa and some of the areas along the Iowa-Minnesota boarder.
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