Opening weekend on the pond.

  • derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    April 14, 2004 at 11:52 pm #1286534

    4 weeks away.. Where you gonna be? What you gonna do?

    wallguy
    bloomington mn. covebay millelacs
    Posts: 55
    April 15, 2004 at 1:05 am #301117

    I will be anchored up with my lighted bobbers and my best friends down on the southend by Izatys or the Hump. if you are down on that end of the lake.

    hooks
    Crystal, Mn.
    Posts: 1268
    April 15, 2004 at 11:41 am #301171

    East rocks Bobber fishing by night, north sand rigging by day!

    hwalleye18
    Coon Rapids MN
    Posts: 163
    April 15, 2004 at 12:12 pm #301182

    East Rocks @ night north sand during the day rigging

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    April 15, 2004 at 12:18 pm #301184

    If I can find a place to crash, I’ll likely be on the east side also.

    crossin_eyes
    Lakeville, MN
    Posts: 1379
    April 15, 2004 at 1:10 pm #301132

    Hey John, I have CoveBayGuy’s cabin rented for opener weekend and we have plenty of room. You’re more than welcome to stay with us. Heck, you wouldn’t even need to bring your boat. Let me know next week. I’m off to Erie.

    Mike

    newt
    Pillager, MN
    Posts: 621
    April 15, 2004 at 1:14 pm #301134

    Rigging on the West side.

    Doug Ertl
    St Cloud, MN
    Posts: 957
    April 15, 2004 at 2:37 pm #301195

    Eastside, doing a little of this and a little of that. Translation: Bobber fishing, rigging Malmos sand.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    April 15, 2004 at 2:38 pm #301196

    Anchored up on an East Side Rock pile for the opener at midnight. Lighted slip bobbers with a leech or crawler.

    Around 3-4am as the lake clears out and conditions permit, we will switch over to trolling shad raps along shoreline breaks and points.

    As the sun comes up and the daytime folks start heading out, we will probably hit Macs for the buffet and a bloody mary, then call it a day hopefully with a few keepers.

    Catch a few ZZZZ’s and do it all over again!

    hooks
    Crystal, Mn.
    Posts: 1268
    April 15, 2004 at 5:18 pm #301214

    Hey Jon,

    I’m all over that Bloody Mary for breakfast, maybe even a bite to eat!
    I’ll bet Dino’s in on that too.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    April 15, 2004 at 5:51 pm #301217

    Sounds good Hooks, let’s plan on it!

    derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    April 15, 2004 at 8:52 pm #301232

    Sounds like everyone has a game plan. What kind of tips can we give our readers?

    One thing I can say, no matter how cold the water is, don’t overlook crankbaits.

    Fife
    Ramsey, MN
    Posts: 4044
    April 15, 2004 at 10:53 pm #301248

    We will be anchored up right in front of Bobber’s place. We have fished this spot for years and have always done well. We go out at 3 or 4am in hopes that some people have already got off the lake.

    Last year, my dad and I rigged the rocks, the sand, and even the gravel with no success. This year we are tying on the bobbers and leaving them on.

    Does anyone do any jigging on opener? We head to Winni the following weekend and jigging is the only way to go up there.

    Bob Carlson
    Mille Lacs Lake (eastside), Mn.
    Posts: 2936
    April 16, 2004 at 12:01 am #300950

    I have a couple of spots that I will want to try on the rock’s anchored with a slip-bobber. The rocks will be the areas to try early and during the darkness. The northend sand should be good, as you should find warmer water temperatures up on the sands.

    Quote:

    Remember that they are not where you think they are

    Doug Ertl
    St Cloud, MN
    Posts: 957
    April 16, 2004 at 12:22 pm #301302

    I quite trying to think where they are . I just hope they find me .
    Less than a month away

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    April 16, 2004 at 9:46 pm #301344

    Quote:

    Sounds like everyone has a game plan. What kind of tips can we give our readers?

    Here is a tip for lighted slip bobbering on the opener. (or anytime!) Nothing sucks more than getting a snag and breaking off a $7 lighted slip bobber. Especially on the opener when you can’t pull up anchor to go chasing the cork because you will lose your spot or urine off the folks around you. Actually this little trick works so well I use it every time I slip bobber at night.

    I now use these cheap foam bobbers. I drill out a hole next to the line stem just big enough to insert a glow stick. The glow stick will last all night and if you break off you are only out about a buck….no big deal, tie on another one!

    It’s also nice the next day to be able to just pull the dead glow stick out and you are ready for daytime bobbering!

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    April 16, 2004 at 10:44 pm #301347

    Great idea Jon!!!

    For any new guys on Mille Lacs, one lessoned I learned the hard way was using long snells in the sand is a must. I tie mine at 8 ft. Red hooks are often the most common, but I’ve had good success with chartruese and orange also.

    Mike,

    I’ll be in touch about the opener.

    putz
    Cottage Grove, Minn
    Posts: 1551
    April 17, 2004 at 1:31 am #301356

    What a great idea, Jon. Where were you about 7 or 8 bobbers ago?

    Bob Carlson
    Mille Lacs Lake (eastside), Mn.
    Posts: 2936
    April 17, 2004 at 2:02 am #301358

    I just happen to get my lighted bobbers off my shoreline! I think I still have a few?
    Your design with the glow stick is

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    April 17, 2004 at 12:27 pm #301383

    Quote:

    but I’ve had good success with chartruese and orange also.

    Don’t forget the Pink…

    ryan-hale
    NW Ia
    Posts: 1548
    April 17, 2004 at 11:35 pm #301401

    Jon,that is a great idea for lighted slip-bobbers.Do you know Tim Chapman?He showed we that trick about 3 years ago.I use the Wing-It slip-bobber set-ups also,they make their own light that clips on the bobber stem.Around $3 doing it this way.
    Also do you guys get many smallies at night slip-bobber fishing the rock piles?
    How many anglers can you expect on opener at Mille Lacs?Always wanted to compare it to the Iowa Great Lakes.
    Our opener is 2 weeks away now!!!
    Ryan Hale

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    April 18, 2004 at 1:06 am #300929

    Yes, I know Tim. Can’t say we have ever compared notes. But the idea is a natural progression from taping the glow stick on the line shaft or using the rubber thinggy that comes in the glow stick package. Just thought I’d toss it out there because it does work very well!

    How many people will be on the lake at Midnight? Thousands. I’d have to guess…somewhere around 3000 maybe? Don’t really know for sure. It’s a tradition for many. For good reason….most catch a walleye!!

    Can’t say I have caught a Smallie on opener at night. I have had my share of Rockies. Maybe this year it will be the state record???!!! LOL

    Was up to the lake today to open up the camper and drop off a load of supplies. Here is a shot of the lake looking north/northwest from the entrance to the harbor at Fishermen’s Wharf over to Big Point. The bays are opening up. It won’t be long now.

    vikes40for60
    Minneapolis
    Posts: 28
    April 23, 2004 at 2:22 pm #302191

    I’ll be on Cutfoot Sioux/Winnibigosh. First time in 5 years not on Mille Lacs.

    DeeZee
    Champlin, Mn
    Posts: 2128
    April 23, 2004 at 6:43 pm #302235

    Mr Holst and I will be on the lake in the wee hours of the night doing something somewhere! I think we will be calling an audible at the ramp as we head out!!

    Should be a great time! Crankin and rigging is the plan for us unless there are some giant slab crappies to be had for a couple hours as well! We plan on getting some sleep on Monday sometime!

    Bob Carlson
    Mille Lacs Lake (eastside), Mn.
    Posts: 2936
    April 30, 2004 at 11:49 am #303093

    It’s down to only two weeks till the walleye opener!!!!!

    Doug Ertl
    St Cloud, MN
    Posts: 957
    April 30, 2004 at 1:09 pm #303109


    Dry weather for a change? I hope so.

    hooks
    Crystal, Mn.
    Posts: 1268
    April 30, 2004 at 1:23 pm #303114

    Tell me the last time you had a dry opener Big D?

    If you know what I mean???

    Doug Ertl
    St Cloud, MN
    Posts: 957
    April 30, 2004 at 2:07 pm #302828

    OH I am talking rain Hooks. You have to realize that somethings never change, but the weather is suppose to.
    Like the saying goes, if you don’t like the weather now, wait ten minutes.
    Sounds like a big group this year Hook. Will be a good time for sure.

    wallguy
    bloomington mn. covebay millelacs
    Posts: 55
    April 30, 2004 at 9:28 pm #303205

    Message to Steve and James if you need a place to crash Sunday night let me know My treat

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