Mossboss – If you’re looking for a great value on a great rod check out http://www.figrigrods.com. Fig Rig builds a great product at a reasonable price. I’ve changed over to almost strictly Fig Rigs the last couple years and really like them. The Extreme line has a good selection of bass and walleye rods. They’re light, sensitive, balanced and have some great actions available.
Take one in your hand if you see them at a retailer. It’s a great rod!
Loomy
Haywood,
I was up there about 3-4 years ago for 2 years in a row on the MN walleye opener. The first year we had terrible weather, the wind blew 30+ and it was cold and rainy. We took 1 walleye (we were smallie fishing) the entire weekend.
The year after some friends and I went up on the same weekend and creamed the smallies! The numbers and size were both incredible. I think they might be born 3lbs! It was some of the best fishing I’ve seen. The weather was calm and sunny all weekend that time, I don’t recall what the water temp was. We fished several different baits but cranks (my least favorite bait) far outshined all others for those 2 days. I’d like to get back there one of these years.
Good Luck!
Loomy
Nice bag of fish, Jason. Congrats!!!
I guess you didn’t burn ’em on Friday after all, eh?
Loomy
Jake,
Interesting story. I think we all need to operate with integrity on the water. You each had equal right to the spot. Given the same situation, I would ask if it’s OK for me to share the spot with you. It is frustrating to pull up to a spot and see someone sitting on it but it’s critical to remember that everyone enjoys being on the water. Riverfan said it well, it’s a game, not life and death. FTR does a good job of promoting a safe, enjoyable experience on the water, I’d like to see all anglers (tournament, experienced, weekend, and rookie) echo that.
I think your best bet in this situation would be to invite them to share the spot with you. I imagine there’s plenty of room for both of you.
Loomy
Hi All,
I fished the tournament and agree with everyone on this board, it was a great event and achieved a spectacular feat in raising that much money. It’s important for us to keep that in perspective while we’re on the water. If you don’t have the resources to raise money, that’s OK. I think any effort towards it is commendable and should make you feel like a part of something special. Boat draw is rarely a factor in cashing tournament checks. If you’re on fish and you execute well, you’ll be one of the first boats out on day 2! I’ve gone out 1st in tournaments and gone out last in tournaments, I’ve also finished in both of those positions. In looking at where I have started and my ending results over the years, I can’t see any direct correlation between the two.
Great Job to everyone involved with the tournament! I applaud you for giving so much to someone unfortunate and am proud to be associated with such an incredible event.
Loomy
I think they’re gonna bite this weekend. It should be a good time!
Loomy
It’s funny you mention that. After my first trip to the river I had sore legs from standing all day (darn office jobs). Since then I’ve been biking and lifting to get back into fishin’ shape. Bring on the bucketmouths… I’m ready for ’em!
I sure hope you’re right. I’d love to have sore arms and sandpaper thumbs again!
Loomy
Is the bite gonna be hot this weekend?
Any predictions?
Loomy
Hey guys,
How many boats fished last year’s KFAN?
Loomy
Something definitely sounds “fishy” with your unit. The best way to determine if it is your setup or your unit is to connect it to a friend’s setup. Trouble is, you need a buddy with he same unit (or compatable unit) to test it with.
I agree with Ross’ comments above as well. I think the X-15 is a nice unit. The earlier models had a few bugs but the software is updated now and seems to work well. My Dad used my boat last summer while I was in a tournament fishing from my partners boat. He was absolutely in love witht he GPS and accompanying Navionics map card. He’s buying one for his own rig this spring. I gave him the Navionics chip for his B-Day.
Loomy
I spent a couple days on Pool 4 on the 22nd & 23rd of March. Put 8 fish (3 LM, 5 SM) in the boat, it reached 70 degrees that sunday afternoon and I got a best surface temp reading of 47 degrees. The biggest was a 3lb largie. Sure felt good to set the hook and have something pull back. A couple of the fish bit agressively but most were pretty light biters. Haven’t been back since the cold weather moved back in but I plan to be there this weekend!
Loomy
Thanks for your help! Does it matter if it is the main current pushing into the weed or any current will do? Have you been getting SM & LM or just one of the 2? Are you still able to catch them after the topwater bite ends? Any big ones?
Loomy
You may also want to check for a cable tensioning screw on the foot pedal. Many of the motors have it and it may need to be loosened.
Loomy
I agree. Springtme is “Primetime” for SBs. I often find that if I can’t get em’ on jigs and slow moving presentations I can run a spinnerbait or crankbait and get them to react. Always keep an open mind!!!
Loomy
I haven’t used mine elsewhere yet either. I think I’ll get to Minnetonka next week to check it out.
Loomy
Sure does! Thanks for your input. I’ll be down tonight trying to put a few in the boat (and back in the water of course).
Loomy
It was pretty clear that I was actaully driving directly over islands and sometimes even on the railroad tracks! LOL Not too big a deal tho, I’m still happy with the product and can’t wait to try it on some of the other lakes.
Loomy
Fireflick,
Do you have any experience (or an educated guess) on what the fish do with the rising water? Do they pull out of these areas or are they just inactive and tough to catch?
Loomy
Flyboy, I did make it to Pool 4 this weekend and was able to use my navionics for the first time. As I motored through the river and a few backwaters my Navionics was carefully guiding me over points and Islands. Funny thing tho, it didn’t even scratch my prop! So… they are off just a bit in some areas but didn’t seem to be off everywhere, some places it seemed to be right on. Overall I was really pleased with the product and I’m looking forward to getting some more use out of it!
Loomy
I have to apologize to ya Flyboy, I didn’t get to Pool 4 this weekend to check out my Navionics. I ended up fishing Pool 5 both days. I do plan to go down this weekend again tho, this time I will be getting one day in on Pool 4, I’ll check out my maps and report back to you.
Loomy
Thanks Guys! I’ll check Gander tonight to see if they sell the book you’re talking about. I was kind of hoping that Hotspots made a large one like pool 4 but I guess not. I’ll be down there tomorrow looking for those big smallies!!!! Any ideas for me? Loomy
I’ll check mine on Pool 4 this weekend and let you guys know what I see.
Loomy
Did the winners have LM or SM?
Loomy
I checked on SA before I bought my Lowrance X15 and they did not turn it back on. I was doubting whether or not I would buy it if they had turned it back on. Sounds like it is something with your software to me.
Loomy
It might be tough to get that bite this early but I think I’ll be trying on Sunday. Just to get out and make a few casts (bite or no bite) will do a lot for my sanity!!
Loomy
Jeremy,
Sounds like a very interesting article. Where’d you see it? I’d love to read it. I too feel that line can make a difference, especially in clear water. If it gets you just one extra bite per day it’s worth it. One day that bite will be a 5 pounder!
Loomy
Man that sounds fun!!! I think I should take a ride south this weekend.
It’s so close I can almost taste it!!!
Sure sounds like it now huh? Give it a month or so, once we get those Bass to start bitin’ we’ll have something to talk about.
Loomy
I agree leadsled. It looks as if there’s some great people to learn from here too. I sure wish this weather would begin to look up so I could be on the water teaching myself tho. Soon…
Loomy
