We were at my grandmother’s in Park Rapids. The 1st night, 4 hours on the water and nothing. We didnt even see a fish get caught. No bites, it was like the dead sea.
The next morning, more of the same. The we decide to change gears and head to a shallow bay where the crappies hang out early in the year. On a whim, as we were scouting, threw out a crank. Boom, northern, cast, boom another, make a few more passes, boom 22″ eye, all in 3-4′ of water.
Then using one of my rods set up w/ heavy stuff for river fishing his starts going. Now, mind you, we are trolling w/ his boat and his 150hp motor at about 3mph, so when drag starts ripping out, I thought he had a snag-even though there really arent any. Then I saw the pumping of the rod and knew it was a big fish-had to be a northern. When I netted the earlier eye at 22″, I quietly thought to myself that anything bigger wouldnt fit in his net.
As it got near the boat, we could see that it was a BIG eye. Luckily, the hooks held and w/ just 2/3 of the fish in the net, we were able to land it. From the pics, I think you can tell he was happy.
It is his 2nd 30″ from this lake, the other happened about 30 years ago when it was just the 2 of us. Not bad for a lake that doesnt hold many eyes and we only fish it once or twice a year. Also, I was glad he let me net this one, he didnt trust me as an eager 8 year old.
