Thanks to all of you for the kind words,it really means a lot to me,and the family.

Wade,hope things are going well for you.Very nice words about Cole.He is on year #2 with his own boat now,but targets muskies most of the time these days.

Steve,how you been? Hope you got out and did some upland hutning the last few years.

BrianK,that would be him. 6′ 1″,185#’s right now.

Kooty,he can only dream.

Kent,thank you very much buddy,it means a lot to us here in the Hale household.

And to each and everyone of you,thank-you.I’ll make sure Cole reads all of this.

500 yard swim,2 minute pushups,2 minute setups,pullups,1 1/2 run back to back…..passed with flying colors.

Couple pics for you guys.Hey if anyone talkes to DeeZee,please let him know whats going on.

Ryan Hale

Didn’t past IDO staffer Todd C win it???

Ryan Hale

I got these fish at the 16′ mark.We did get a few shallow,but best action was deep for us.They slowed a bit since last week,but still good.
Spirit Lake right now is one of the best lakes in the Mid-West.The perch were awesome all winter,the smallies are always good,and the walleye population is off the charts right now.There is also a good number of big ski’s left in Spirit.
DNR netting was insane the last week.I went out with them last Friday night and oh my.
Biggest fish this year were both out of SL.
Big eye was 11.2#’s
Big ski was 36#’s
The crew I was with got a 30# ski,nice fish,plus a huge northern.I’ll post pic of them.
Here is a bonus crappie we got Wenesday,what a hawg.

Ryan Hale

This is the 2nd or 3rd season for this show.It is a very good how.
My oldest boy Cole is a advanced scuba diver.It is crazy fun watching him play with smallies.He feeds them crawdads and they follow him around like a dog waiting for a milkbone.
Both smallies and gills are very agressive on beds.They will run right into Cole’e goggles if he gets too close.

Ryan Hale

Cade,
You are a great young angler.Really enjoyed the report.

Ryan Hale

You have a PM Dylan.

Ryan Hale

Todd,
19-20 teams as of today.Not bad for October.

Ryan Hale

Thanks for posting this Todd.

Ryan Hale

Steve,
I was at a seminar Sunday and talked to Tom Backer.He mentioned he was very nervous that the ice might not be off in time?
I’ll be fishing it as a am.Let me know if you need any help pre-fishing.
Ryan Hale

Yep,you busted me.I caught all those fish on farm ponds.Not on the IGL’s.
As far as the guide going to Mn.I told you we had a guide who went to a lake in SW Mn to go after huge perch.
I can about guess who your talking about as who this guide is.
Well time to go hit the farm pond.
Ryan Hale

None of the above people payed for my guide service.They stayed at my resort so I gave them all the help they needed to catch fish.

Ryan Hale

Hate to beat the same drum but “We heard the guides have been going to Minn because it’s the only place they can catch fish????” Not true for me and I guide,yep we have one guide that has done that,but it’s been for trophy perch,not because he can’t catch fish here.
Honda I’m not trying to come across harsh,but there are plenty of fish to be caught in these waters.
Please look at your post under the East/West forums.
Ryan Hale

Cole with a gill from this morning.
Ryan Hale

Pic fo CR crew from this week-end.
Ryan Hale

This is a group of anglers who traveled from C.R. to try their luck on these gills.
I fished with them on Friday and they listened to all the tips I thought would help them.By Sat they took it to the fish.
Terry,John,and Paul.What a GREAT group of guys.I had so much fun fishing with you guys!!They treated me like a king and kept me hy-drated and feed very well.Terry is one heck of a cook-thanks for everything Terry.John runs Four Season Bait and Tackle in C.R.I got a call from Terry tonight,they had so much fun it sounds like they are going to try to come bac in March again.He has fished many places and said this was in his top 10 for all time trips.
Ryan Hale

Honda,Ryan Hale here.Very sorry to hear about your results.

West Okoboji gills can be some of the toughest fish to catch in the mid-west.But with some help from a few good anglers or guides you can put fish on the ice.I’m a guide and I never take a clients to Minn. to catch fish.Don’t have to as most days we can get fish to bite,but it takes work and patience.

I’ve been on the ice 8 out of the last 10 days,some days great,others a little slow.

I’ve been doing line testing for Purefishing the last few week-ends so that means I keep track of all fish caught for my records.One day I got 83,the next 54,so you can get them to bite.These were gills and crappie.

Also my son and I have caught 10 eyes through the ice the last 2 nights,plus lost a few.

Not telling you what to do but if you guys need help next year just let me know,we’ll get you better results.

My pics are over the 100,000 byte limit.So I downsized these to get within the limit.Quality of course suffers a bit.

My good friend Paul B and his buddy Roger from last week-end.

Take care,

Ryan Hale

Todd,great info.
I’ve heard about problems between Vex and Marcum units,but myself I’ve never seen it with my own eyes.
And yes I’ve been a Vex user for many years.Been there,done that with both units fishing next to each other.Never had the problem with a Marcum over-powering a Vex.Not saying it deosn’t happen,just never seen it.You would think that if it happened with you and others wouldn’t it be the case all the time with all users who fish both units next to each other? Thats what I’m trying to understand.Also the 18 is not the top Vex unit anymore like the 5 is for Marcum.Your saying no one in the group had a 20? Has anyone heard of there being problems between the 5 and the 20?
Lets keep this debate civil,not trying to bash here guys,just looking for logical answers.
It’s always going to be the Chevy vs Ford type of thing.To each their own.
Be happy with your product,if your not make a change.Don’t make fun of people who drive Fords!!
Ryan Hale

Man to I hate to get into these debates but
Todd,your telling me what? That you had a equal amount of Vex units and Marcum units in the same house,and the Marcum would “overpower” the Vex units? Or were there 3 Marcums and 1 Vex,etc?
I’ve heard this same thing from other Marcum users also.BUT I’ve been in the same shack with Marcums with my Vex and have never had a single problem with them being more powerfull than my Vex.
Like Todd says,both very good products.
Ryan Hale

Drop me a PM fluff if you need any info for this area.
Ryan Hale

I was on the ice the first time this year on Dec 3rd and we’ve been fishing ever since then.Last two nights have been really good.
Ryan Hale

Wade,nope never heard a thing from him.
Todd,ice is fine,infact the boys and I have been out on it the last 2 nights.We MIGHT have to hold the tourney on Lil Emerson Bay,instead of the whole bay,but we’ll see.The temps look great for making ice so I’m sure we’ll be able to fish the whole bay.
Ryan Hale

Dale,we’ve been out to the pond 2x now.
We still have openings for the tourney.
And yes the tourney is still on,there is a good 5-7″‘s on Lil Emerson.
What forecast did you see? It looks great to me for making ice the next week.Lows in the teens,a few days not even above freezing.
Ryan Hale

Thanks for the report Todd.Should have made a trip to the IGL’s area.
Ryan Hale

No problem,whatever you want to do.
Ryan Hale

Cabins are now full.
Just talked to DNR.All 4 wheelers have to be registered to operate in Iowa.So if the Nebraska guys that want to bring them will need to register in Iowa to be legal.
Here is the # for the courthouse in Dickinson C.
1-712-336-1495

Getting lots of interest in the contest the last few weeks.Still working on more door prizes.JB lures donated 2 small tackle packs.Here is a pic of the Lindy tackle packs.There will be 4 of these to give away.
Ryan Hale

6″ Lazer hands down.
Ryan Hale

Cade,first ever deer I shot was a button buck.And like you,I was very proud of my first whitetail.
You did a great job young man.
Ryan Hale

Cade,first ever deer I shot was a button buck.And like you,I was very proud of my first whitetail.
You did a great job young man.
Ryan Hale

Thanks for the phone call Kirk,awesome pics and fish.Great time of the year isn’t it?
Looks like you had a great week-end.
See you in Jan.
Ryan Hale