Stuck in a rut

  • david_scott
    Twin Cities
    Posts: 2946
    June 12, 2006 at 5:04 am #1219752

    The title says it all.. I am stuck in a rut when it comes to chasing flats this year.

    The time tested true spots started up late, and never really got *into gear*. I have been jumping around more spots shore angling than most know of by boat on their home stretch of water… nothing but small fish 10# or less here and there on the end of my line.

    Tonight I finaly said heck with it, I pulled the battle cruiser out of the driveway and set out on a mission armed with bullies and suckers.. I fished wing dams, snags, warm water discharges, deep holes, shallow flats.. I didnt accomplish ANYTHING other than one sneaky run that came from a rock bank and snuck under the boat.

    The highlight of the evening was I had one bullhead for more than 3 hours that must have been cast 30 times and probably got enough frequent flyer miles for a free trip to hawaii.

    I am getting frustrated, my confidence is all but gone at this point in time. I am taking tomorrow night off, but I am now at war with these fish. I have a few more tricks up my sleeve and some unknown history proven productive waters.. If cant capitolize on a decent flathead pretty soon I am going to consider golf!

    A gulf club and a spotlight would probably increase my chances to get a decent flathead in the boat! I considered explosives.. but I’m a little accident prone.

    haywardbound
    New Brighton, MN
    Posts: 1107
    June 12, 2006 at 5:49 am #453065

    Quote:

    A gulf club and a spotlight would probably increase my chances to get a decent flathead in the boat! I considered explosives.. but I’m a little accident prone.

    Thats funny! Hey Dave, lets go electrofishing! We might have to turn up the juice some for the big ones. I’ll bring the camera if you bring the boat.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    June 12, 2006 at 7:00 am #453073

    Quote:

    pretty soon I am going to consider golf!

    That’s not even funny!

    Dave, last year the big fish…and most any fish seem to come from slack water outside of the current. This year that water is dead. Most are coming IN the current and the rest are coming out of the seam.

    Don’t know if that applies to your area or not.

    blacksportsman
    Fridley, MN
    Posts: 156
    June 12, 2006 at 9:39 am #453075

    I’m down there in that rut, too

    I’ve been out about a dozen times this spring trying for flats and I’m still trying to connect with my first one of ’06

    I guess it’s true…misery loves company

    Ralph Wiggum
    Maple Grove, MN
    Posts: 11764
    June 12, 2006 at 12:01 pm #453086

    Quote:

    I’m down there in that rut, too

    I’ve been out about a dozen times this spring trying for flats and I’m still trying to connect with my first one of ’06

    I guess it’s true…misery loves company

    Manny, we’re in the same boat It’s good to know that I’m not the only one!

    Whiskerkev
    Madison
    Posts: 3835
    June 12, 2006 at 1:38 pm #453105

    How about this for a rut: I haven’t even been able to go yet. Having a family with young children is tough on all night fishing adventures. I had a year once where I went through the same thing. What you need to do is stop basing success on 10 pounds or greater. If you consider every night out a chance at a huge one and enjoy it for what it is, the big ones will come. Time on the water in likely spots with good bait and you will hit a big one now and again.

    steve-demars
    Stillwater, Minnesota
    Posts: 1906
    June 12, 2006 at 1:59 pm #453115

    Hey Dave – I been there. And this year pretty well sucks too. Last year the St Croix was doing a number on me. By the 15th of August I had only caught one little 4lb flathead and that was on the 4th of May. I had been skunked (fishless, Nada, Nothing, Zero, Skunk City) 14 times on the St Croix. Brian took me down to Pool 3 and hooked a flat and let me pull it in, that was how far I had sunk. And then on 15 August – Monster Mash. Believe me, the wait is worth it. Keep your hooks in the water and it will happen.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    June 12, 2006 at 2:22 pm #453126

    Quote:

    What you need to do is stop basing success on 10 pounds or greater. If you consider every night out a chance at a huge one and enjoy it for what it is, the big ones will come.

    I’m printing that out and posting it in my truck!

    david_scott
    Twin Cities
    Posts: 2946
    June 12, 2006 at 2:55 pm #453145

    Quote:

    What you need to do is stop basing success on 10 pounds or greater.

    I do enjoy my time on the water, but its a little more enjoyable with some type of margin of success… after a while, a quiet night on the river seems to be just that, a QUIET night on the river. Its nice to break the silence with a clicker once in a while, even if there is no fish hooked.

    dtro.. I would have made it the other day if I wasnt so exhausted from moving. I plan on hitting that area sometime mid week once we get a couple days away from this full moon, I plan on going to the mankato gathering this weekend if Sherry is up to it and camp for a couple days.

    Off to get some bullheads……

    bret_clark
    Sparta, WI
    Posts: 9362
    June 12, 2006 at 4:03 pm #453169

    I feel your pain Dave
    My outboard has been a little ill till this last Saturday when I finaly had some time to give her some tender loving care. I have been scared to get her out after dark. She is all healed up now and I can’t wait for the first night on the water

    Hang in there dude, things will get better
    Bret

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