pickled fish and a bonus

Barlow · Aug 24, 2004

went to one of my favorite lakes today with no real expectations. Motored to a few usual spots and after tossing a bunch of cranks and jerks along an outside weedline I had picked up an occasional hammer handle which seemed pretty odd. usually I'd be diggin' a few 14-18" Walleye and LM out of these 'pockets'. I grabbed another rod rigged up with a 4.5" Wooly Hawg Craw and got nothing but a few taps. I wasn't positive if they were fish or bottom since I was messin' around tryin' to set the tension on my reel. While cleaning some weeds off and adjusting the plastic I noticed something with a few teeth had been 'taste testing' my bait. So I went back through the area and nothing. Then grabed a rod rigged with a 5" black Reaper and thats when things picked up! I wasn't expecting it but, then it happened .. as I picked my jig up off the bottom on the weed line I got bumped. I dropped my rod tip, took up slack, and WHAM .. my wrist buckled and line sang then nothing - was expecting something a little smaller. anywho -I'd like you to meet pickled fish

bonus of the day ..

,,all I could think of was dropping the camera in the water while taking that... and almost did.

roscoe · Aug 24, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

Fine catch there, WoooHooo. Yippeeee. Favorite lake?? Ochachee?? Did you land that big shark?

gonfishn · Aug 25, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

Just like a woman..Show you her wares and then swim away..My bad different tail tease.. Pickled Northern..Can about five jars a year myself..hmmmmmm Isn't three the limit per..Musta had a buddy with ya ....Thats in case we have any DNR folks here..lol

Barlow · Aug 25, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

was at the Willow Flowage roscoe (one of my favs) - a lot of northerns in that place. If your definition of landing is netted and 'in the boat' then no, it wasn't landed .. I try to keep skis and big northerns in the water if at all possible - she was pretty tired - took her a few minutes to get her tail back. heck, I was tired too. She was pretty sexy! wouldn't wanna make her too angry tho looked like she's got a temper and wears the pants in the family.

I should be able to get a gallon jar plus a few quarts outa these guys. Found the family recipe a few years back after being MIA for a stint. We only had one copy and my father had it 'tucked away' then forgot about it... that's not happening again. Limits 5 per. on the Willow .. Thats in case we have any DNR folks here..lol

TwoWatt · Aug 25, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

Wow. That is one impressive fish. The others looked....well.... tasty

Like you said in my "big fish" thread, I'm glad to see ya let it swim away to fight another day. I gotta get out for some bigger fish before winter.....I'm afraid I'll never go back to panfishin' though....all this cheap ultralight stuff being replaced with expensive heavy duty stuff

roscoe · Aug 25, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

Well Barlow, Up to the boat and released is close enough for me. Congrats. Sorry, I thought you were down south der hey, near the big cities. Where DO you live? just curious. I haven't got out on the big up nort flowages yet this year. Hope to get up to the Willow, Rainbow or Turtle this fall. Been fishing some small lakes, and the Big eau Plaine this summer.

Barlow · Aug 26, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

yea she was a decent size. I didn't put the stick on 'er cause I only had two hands but, guessing mid 40's .. who knows. Gotta love just seeing 'em. you'll never replace the UL stuff SA... it's all fun! actually ... after i get some things done today I'm heading out again .. but this time for crappies. Big hatch here the last few days and the fish have been on top feeding the past few evenings so I'm going to bring the fly rods out and have some fun. I live in Marshall roscoe - east of Madison 20min. I've got work up here in Minoqua so I'm stayin' at my huntin' shack 15min east of the flowage on Rocky Run Rd. Gotta love the simple life! - no running water, a 'two holer', just got electricity 3 yrs ago into the place, 12" black and white, clock radio, gas stove and an old furnace ... I love it! as a matter of fact if you were to drop a bag of marbles in the middle of the place they'd be up against the walls in 2 seconds flat .. its my kinda Ritz Carlton

TwoWatt · Aug 26, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

Could you give me more info on the 5" black reaper? Is that a spinner? I already have the equipment, 6'6" shimano fightin rod w/ shimano bantam magnalite reel. What a great setup I've been dying to use. It was a present from Dad. (thanks Dad

) I have been restricted to smaller lakes due to lack of motor. I wouldn't know where to fish for 'em or where they would be on the lake I go to so maybe someone can help. One lake I go to definitely has larger fish, they are very active in the early morning. Where I fish is very weedy. The water will goto 10-12 feet with 4-feet of weeds underneath. Then the weeds stop in around 12-13 feet, then there's a nice break to about 20 feet. This progression is very slow. By time you're at the weedline you're in the middle of the lake. The sides of the lake are lined with houses/docks. No weeds, gradual break. Should I be fishing in around shallower water with a lure that will run on top of the weeds? Diver? Spinner? Or should I be fishing off the weeds, & off the bottom? Any "hot" baits? Any line recommendations? Steel leader? Any help would be appreciated. If I get enough help I will dedicate my Sunday outing to "Big Fish Day" and leave the crappies alone

Barlow · Aug 27, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

Reapers rigged with Baitrigs Grubmasters

Weedless Carolina rigged Reapers with 3/0 EWG hooks (3/0 for 5" - 5/0+ for 8")

SA - dont worry about having a motor .. yes it's a big thing to most people .. but, back in the day my father, grandfather, and grandmother used to 'oar troll' (paddle) for ski's and northerns ... just as long as you're out and you've got bait in the water is waht matters....

TwoWatt · Aug 28, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

Thanks Barlow. I'm gonna go out sunday for some big fish. Is 12lb test too light for heavy fishing? Should I be using a leader? I have 'em. Any help with the structure aspect? I could fish in 8-10 feet water, the weeds go up to about 4 feet, run a lure above the weedline?? Or fish at the weedbreak in 12 feet? Basically. Is 12lb test too light?

muskyone · Aug 28, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

hey i used to work at napa in waterloo i grew up in lake mills mom lives in cottage grove

roscoe · Aug 29, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

SKunked... I use 10 or 15# Fireline on my spinning rods, with a 12" steel or titanium leader. All you have to do is make sure you set the drag loose enough so it slips before the line or rod breaks. I use heavier line on my baitcaster, because I can!!

TwoWatt · Aug 30, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

Thanks Roscoe, I ended up putting 14 lb on. It is a baitcaster. I tried throwing my jigging spoon (strata spoon) on a 14ft break outside a weed bed. Jigging off the bottom. The only thing I caught was bass

Who knows weather or not this lake I go to even has northern or walleye in it? I guess I'll check around for some "hot" northern/walleye lakes in my area. Barlow, how do you work those reaper jigs? Off the bottom? I'll have to take a trip to Michigan today to the holy grail of fishing supplies(Lunkers,Edwardsburg,MI) and see if they have 'em. Edit: I guess the lake I am going to DOES have northern & walleye according to IN DNR. Fish Lake Off SR 4, 3.5 miles east of SR 104 Largemouth Bass, Bluegill/Redear, Northern Pike, Walleye I wanna catch some

If I post a "map" of the lake could you all show me places I should be fishiing?

TwoWatt · Aug 30, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

Barlow. I could not find those at the store. They usually have EVERYTHING. Could you point me to an online source? (Actually, I will look after this post). I did pick up something I think may be productive for the lake I'm fishing at. It's a Wildeye(R)Spin Shad made by Storm. (see pic) The reason I say it may be productive, is because when I'm fishing for gills here at this lake, I catch a lot of shiners (I guess that's what they are?) So I'm trying to match their food

Also picked up a new diver. I liked the color of it. Also, here is a link to the picture of the map I fish at. I made it a link because of the size of the picture. Anything tips on where I should be fishing? If you need to know anything about the lake please ask... http://www.titansfan098.com/uploader/fishlake.jpg Here is a picture of the lures I bought

newhewes · Aug 30, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

SkunkedAgain, here is a link to the "reaper" and how to use it. www.ebait.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SO&Category_Code=Muskie&Store_Code=baitrigs

roscoe · Aug 30, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

Barlow, been thinking about your cabin and come up with a question. When and why did the two holer go out of fashion. I'm currently remodeling my bathroom and have plenty of room to put in a second seat. Maybe I will. Maybe I'll set a new standard.

Barlow · Sep 11, 2004

Re: pickled fish and a bonus

pardon me guys for not bein' around .. SA .. you're better off probably askin' someone from the area rather than me ... no grip on the water system. as for workin' the reaper the link that dsmith84 posted is pretty much on the head .. variations can produce well also -just a matter of trying things. muskyone .. well that's my neck of the woods .. grew up out between Deerfield and the Grove off of Nora Rd. on S.Jargo. Your Mother been in the area long? roscoe - I don't know about the two-holer going out of fashion but, some friends wives refuse to go up there because of it

that would be a first in my book ... a set of porcelin thrones

pickled fish and a bonus

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