First outing.

Well, my bride and I put the Ranger in Big Spirit for the first time yesterday. What a beautiful day to be on the water. It was mainly a boat ride, trying to burn up some of last fall's fuel. The side scan in the Humminbird 998 worked well, the 788 up front had no interference from the Terrova tolling motor. The water pressure gauge was not working, however. I will have to track this down. I had to put a new one in a couple of years ago, hope that isn't the case this time.
Of course, we had to wet a line. Threw some Flasher jigs and jerk baits on Stony to no avail. moved to another spot, on a little rock pile I have marked in the GPS. Oh, by the way I was looking for smallies. Anyway I was throwing a Rattletrap and had a huge muskie follow it to the boat. It really startled me, a muskie was the last thing I was expecting. This spot will bear another look after the muskie opener.
Today was spent getting a new wireless router set up in the house. My other one finally died last night after many years of service. I got stuck setting it up, a quick call to Grandson Stefan and I was good to go. Way cool.

Wind/Wind/Wind

Well, the wind is blowing again today, wind is 24mph gusting to 37mph. I'm glad we got the boat cleaned up Saturday and Sunday. Finally buffed the water line out of the hull, now if I could just figure out how to get the part of the hull that sits behind the trailer fenders cleaned and waxed without putting in a hoist or in the lake. Oh well.
I will be concentrating on learning the ins and outs of the the Humminbird 998si, in the coming weeks. Haven't got everything back in the Ranger but working on it.
I'm hoping to get out next weekend for some pig smallmouth fishing. 

Mighty Mo

Just got back from Chamberlain,SD. I had a great time fishing with friend Scott Berry. We caught 39 walleye on Wednesday and kept our 8 fish. They ranged from 15-18 inches,minimum is 15 inches. Today we caught 32 ranging from 17-19.5 inches. 95% of the fish were caught dragging either a 1/4 or 1/8 Reel Baits Flasher jig tipped with a minnow. The others were caught on a Precision Jig and a Berkley 3 inch Ripple Shad in smelt color. All fish were caught 13-4 ft of water, with the majority being in 4-5ft.
We put in at Ft Thompson Dam. What a great way to start the softwater season.

Fish Traps are in the shed

Well, my bride and I put away the ice fishing gear today. The FishTrap Pro and the FishTrap Guide are in the shed, as is the Strikemaster, all the rods and jig boxes are in the shop.

I have begun the process of getting all the tackle ready for the boat. The Ranger 619 is coming home Monday, with a new fuel filter and Air Compressor Filter for the Optimax and a new fuel filter for the Kicker.

We took a drive around this afternoon. Big Spirit is 75 % clear of ice, East Okoboji, Upper and Lower Gar and Minnewashta are 100% ice free. West Okoboji not so much it is still pretty much capped. With the high temps and high wind forecast for tomorrow, even West might be going soon. Hoorah Later

Ice Out (almost)

I just took a drive around Big Spirit it is about 1/3 out, the north end of East Okoboji is out and Center Lake is out, haven't been south so can't report on West Okoboji and the south part of East Okoboji, Upper Gar, Minnewashta and Lower Gar. More later.Looks like I'm behind on my tackle prep.

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

Wow, it is going to get in the 70's today and stay there at least through next Monday. The ice is turning black on all the lakes. A huge area opened up on the north end of Big Spirit from Minnewaukon to Cottonwood and south almost to Red Nose Point. I will have to take a look at the Okobojis today. Must remember this is Iowa and the possibility of a March blizzard is always in the back of our minds.

I think I will go get the Ranger the first week in April. Visions of pig small mouth and Storm Lake walleye are dancing in my head. I have to check my records it might be time for a new impeller in the kicker motor. Time to put the ice shacks in the shed, summerize the gas ice auger and move reels from winter rods to summer rods.

I have decided to wait and see regarding upgrading the software in the electronics. I will watch the Humminbird message boards to see if any problems pop up with this latest round of upgrades.

Had a great weekend reunion with high school buddy Paul Namtvedt, he was down from Alaska, I hadn't seen or talked to him in years. It was great to visit. Paul and I were trapping, hunting, partying etc partners in high school and after. It was good to see and talk to other friends and classmates as well.

Invasive Species

Our precious Iowa Great Lakes Chain are threatened by invasive species, that would change the entire system and ruin the fishery as well as greatly affect the tourist industry the area depends upon so much. Last year the DNR caught a Big Head carp in a net. I believe the jumping Silver Carp will be close behind the Big Head, if it is not already here. We are in danger of Zebra Mussel infestation, and Eurasian Milfoil,and many other species all of which are in the systems in Minnesota,Wisconsin and Illinois. The Upper Great Plains Chapter of Muskies Inc. has found some funding to put an electrical barrier at the outlet at the lower end of Lower Gar. I fear that may be too little too late but one can be hopeful.
I think that the Iowa Legislature should give serious consideration to funding an Invasive Species research facility at Iowa State University in conjunction with the DNR to see what, if anything can be done. Minnesota is talking about doing this as well. Maybe it should be joint effort and be an upper midwest states facility. I don't know but something should be done and quickly or our wonderful waters as we know and love them will be history.

Spirit Opening

Well, there is a huge area of open water on Big Spirit, from just west of Big Stony Point north. With wind from the south gusting to 25 mph and high temps in the 50s today, the open area will enlarge.
Still some guys out from Marble Beach at least a mile, picking up perch I imagine.
I am probably going to pick the Ranger up at the end of the month. I predict an early ice out this year!
Looking forward to getting down to Storm Lake after the ice out there and pitching some Flasher Jigs. That water is awesome early! I will also be on Spirit immediately after ice out here to get on the ice out Smallie bite.
I have a lot to do to get the boat ready. Primary task will be to get a transducer for the 998si, glassed in the hull of the boat, so I can read depth on plane. I have never done this so I will be getting input from others on this. I do know that I hope I can glass it in next to the bilge and live well pumps, instead of in the transom setback. I will have to get someone to do it for me if I have to put it in the setback. I don't think I can physically stand on my head to get it in there, we will see.

Reel Bait

Just reconnected with Al Patterson of Reel BaitsTackle Company on Facebook today. I have used his Flasher Jigs for years, they are awesome  and my go to jig in most cases. I also like his Fergie Spoons and I imagine I will be trying the new Prototype Series of jigging spoons he has developed. Give the Flasher Jigs etc a try some time they will not disappoint. You can find them here www.reelbait.com
It is time to get tackle sorted and ready for this summer. I need to get cranks sorted and in their proper places. Inventory spinners and tie some new ones, jigs need to sorted, slip bobbers looked over, crankbait hooks sharpened and replaced where needed, reels spooled with fresh line etc.
So what the hell am I doing sitting here in my big chair typing this???

Humminbird Upgrades

Just got an email from Humminbird Select with the announcement of the following software upgrades for 1100 and 900 series units:
These updates on version 6.180 include:

• Casting Rings
• Waypoint Proximity Indicator
• Removable Readouts for 800/900 series Side Imaging Units
• Countdown timer
• Course Projection and Heading Lines
• Time To Go (TTG) 
• Lower Range
• Hide Track
• North Up Indicator
• Side Imaging Range Variable on SI units
• Side Imaging Auto Range on SI unit 
• Waypoint Management
• Radar Menus (with purchase of optional Radar Accessory) 

I will be looking at these new features to see if I will use them before putting them in my 998. I am leery of putting new software in anything after a bad experience with Lowrance. There is also a new software upgrade for my 788ci, same cautions. At first glance I am excited about the new stuff.

Spring is a coming

Just picked up a Frabill Worm Can, and 3 bags of Berkley Power Bait Ripple Shads. I put a Pfleuger Arbor reel on the new Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth Rod, loaded with 10lb Nanofil. I can't wait to get on Storm Lake after ice out and pitch jigs for walleye. Probably in about 2 months. :-) I know I'm way ahead of myself but I am afflicted with massive cabin fever!!!!
I am in the process of re-viewing some excellent videos by Doug Vahrenberg (sp?) and Jason Halfen about reading and interpreting Humminbird side imaging as well as preferred settings in differerent situations. I am also lucky that there is a man here in town that is an expert on the side imaging, that I can get some help from. (Rollie Peschon) I really need to get with the learning curve on that 998si this summer.
The ice is starting to look really bad after all the rain we received last night. Ice out is still quite a ways away but it will be here sooner than we think . I will probably get the Ranger out of storage, at the end of March, unless the ice goes out sooner than I anticipate.

This and That

Not much going on, watched the live feed of the Bassmaster Classic weigh in over the weekend. New champion Chris Lane, big congratulations.He and his brother Bobby both made the final cut. Man they drag that thing out, I imagine it is exciting live. Dianne doesn't miss the Classic at all, she attended over 20 years for Berkley/Pure Fishing. She didn't even go to the weigh ins after a few years, she stayed at the show and worked.
Haven't been ice fishing at all. Foot isn't completely healed and I really don't want to try and walk out there and the ice isn't safe enough to drive. I see 36 trucks went through the ice over on Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin over the weekend. They all parked in the same place and it was too much for the ice, no one was injured. Dumb Asses!!!!
I had a nice conversation with Bob Jensen over the weekend, hadn't talked to him in a long time. I value his insight into what is going on in the fishing industry. His FISHING THE MIDWEST TV show is the best catch it, if it is on your TV channels!!

Humminbird 360 Imaging

Humminbird just announced this new technology that allows you to look  360 degrees around your boat. Amazing stuff!! I think it will be great for the bass tournament guys but for $2000.00 I will have to pass. Great idea though.
I may get out on the ice this weekend if this storm pretty much misses us. Snowing right now, we may get up to 5 inches today and tonight, and of course with high wind!!!

Electronics Mounts

Well, I'm considering a switch from Ram mounts to either Stabil or Cisco mounts, they are both the same price. Cisco looks to be a little more adjustable than Stabil but a little harder to remove the units from the boat than Stabil mounts. Both American made. I just can't get the Ram 1.5 inch locked down tight enough with these larger units ie:Humminbird 998csi. I used the shorter arm last summer and that was better but the unit still moved. Up front on the deck the Humminbird 788ci, seemed more solid but still moved some. I haven't convinced myself that spending a couple of hundred bucks for two new mounting systems is the way to go. Of course with what I have invested in electronics, that isn't much money to protect them.
I think the first order of business this spring is getting the in-hull puck transducer glassed in the hull. Then I will be able to get sonar readings on plane on the 998. I have never done this particular install before so I will go slow and get some help. I hope I can just sand the hull smooth by the live well and bilge pumps and not have to take the oil tank out and stand on my head to get the ducer glassed in the set back area of the Ranger 619!!
I need to get this done so I can fully learn the capabilities of the 998, DI,SI,Snap Shot etc. I only got to use it about 5 times last year do to that knee thing but will be out full bore this summer. (Hopefully)

Puter back up

Well, I had a little scare Wednesday. My laptop showed up with the Blue Screen of Death. I clicked on an email link I shouldn't have. I knew it was bad the instant I clicked on it. I don't know why I did that I normally don't open suspicious links and it was suspicious. Oh, well brain fart. I took it into town to the COMPUTER GUY (Steve Currell) and he had me up and running Thursday. Very good service and pleasant man. Give him a look if you need some computer work, small business or home. He is even a certified Apple guy.
Haven't been on the ice, still trying to heal up the problem on my heel. It is coming but I don't want to push it. Rick D is on LOW as I write this, hoping for some pictures today. He is fishing out of ARNESON'S ROCKY POINT RESORT. I have never been to that one but it looks good on their website.
 I am anxious to try the Blade Baits I bought from Dean's Tackle Box, they really look good. Later

Blades

I have been looking to try blade baits for some time now. I have a few Cicadas but today I ordered 4 different colors and 2 different weights,of the Tweener Series from deanstacklebox.com. Might try them on the ice if I get back out there this year, which I doubt. Should be interesting, I have had some success with the Cicada baits.
I see the population of icers has dropped dramatically since the warm up. I know they are still getting gills on West Okoboji as well as perch. Gills in the bays, perch on north end 18-20 ft of water as well as between Eagle Point and Gull Point. (Spencer Beach area)

Progress

Just saw Dr. Blankers. Cicatrix is healing nicely. Dressing now just some antibiotic cream and a band-aid, no longer need crutches unless I am going on a long hike. :-) 
I think I am probably done with ice fishing for the year, we will see. I don't plan on walking out anymore and I don't think the ice is going to get good enough to drive on.
I am now looking at a step system to get in and out of the boat when I launch and take out by myself. I have looked at EZEE Step, Bow-Step, EZ-Troll step and some others. I am also still considering putting a Boat Buddy to catch the bow eye when loading the boat at the boat ramp. I need to go online to some message boards and see what experience other folks have had with these items on Ranger 619s. If anybody reads this and has some experience to share please do.

Lowrance LCX25C

Well, the guy from Cedar Rapids decided not to buy the 25. It is still available for $475.00 but I just may keep it as a back-up. I can put it up front with no re-rigging other than buying a transducer adapter cable for the US2 transducer on the Terrova. Hmmmm, that would give me a big screen color sonar on the bow. Nah, I'd rather sell it.

Out of Action

Well, I'm out of action again, just for a little bit, hopefully. I developed a blood blister under the cicatrix on the foot on my bad leg. Dr Blankers debrided it yesterday, put me on an antibiotic and dressed it with a piece of silver antiseptic pad. I see him in a week. I redress the wound daily with a 1 centimeter piece of silver pad and 500mg X2 daily of Cephalexin. I need to make major effort to not get an infection in this and have it get in my knee replacement. Back on crutches as much as possible as well. Follow up appointment next Friday.
Son-of-a-Bitch, I'm getting tired of this!!!!!!!!!

Sad News in Boji Land

Just got the very sad news this morning that the Fishing Professor (Jim McDonell) passed away early this morning from a heart attack. He will be missed. He had guided in Boji Land forever. R-I-P Jim.