“A Panfishing Report”

Mike/HOF and I did the backwaters today around Wabasha.
Started at West Newton. Big goose egg. That makes two trips in a row we left disappointed. I can only suspect it is the lousy weather to blame. Ended up on the dyke road and finally scored. Mike hit them on the first cast. Me, well took 15 minutes to connect. No, not fast and furious and the numbers with not as high as we had expected, but yet managed to take a very nice meal home. The crappies were all around 12″ and the bluegills, smallest 8″, largest 8 3/4″. Mini mites, blood red, two feet under the bobber and you had better tip it with a waxie. Mike on the other hand got his crappies on minnows, about the same depth.
Rain gear was the attire today, sprinkled almost the entire time. Sunshine when we got back to Rochester.
I can only think that the inconsistent weather is the reason for the inconsistent fishing. Comeon sunshine and temps in the 70’s.

Yep, it was a good day even with the rain. The fish just seem to be waiting for a little warmth and then look out! It should be great very soon!!

Good Fishing,
Mike

We did OKAY with the crappies on Lake Zumbro this afternoon. Boat control and bait presentation with that nasty wind was the biggest issue . Casting the size jigs needed to create the slow drop with 15-25mph wind doesn’t work very well. SE winds are the worst out there too, as there are only a few spots you can get out of it .

But we did still catch crappies. Several coming from the back of a certain bay (no, not that one ) in less than 2′ of water. Minnows on a 1/64oz fluflu were definatly the ticket over the plastics.

Thanks for the report. Sounds like you two boys who were playing hooky had alot of fun.

Jake, any idea what the water temp is? What does your boat look like so I can follow the ”official Lake Zumbro Guide” around to the hot spots?

Thanks, Bill

I hit the Zumbro on Monday and fairly well. Kept 5 Craps, all males, and three bull gills that turned out to be all females. The cappies I caught were in shallow water and while in the search for more and different fish I caught the gills in 15 feet of water, close to the bottom. The deep wood I found along the steep bank of the lake really wasn’t producing much, which was really wierd for this time of the year, last year at the same exact spots would produce up to 60 fish a day. I’m baffled ! But I did catch a few real nice smallies .

LARS

I neglected to mention that yesterday I caught the BIG fish. Mike and I both figured the carp went 10 pounds plus. Talk about fun. Fought with him for over 15 minutes. Mike finally ran to the car to get the landing net. The reason I mention this was to talk about the equipment making it possible. I was using a 9 foot noodle, ultra, ultra lite, whippy rod and 4 pound test line. Yes, you can catch large fish on these whimpy rods. Just don’t try to force or horse them. Let them swim until tired, providing you have the drap set right for those hard runs. I thought a couple times either the rod would snap or the line break, but the play in the rod and the smooth drag handled the job nicely. Mike and I are starting to see more and more of these long noodle rods used by others. All agree they are a fun outfit and makes panfish feel like Great White Sharks. Then when you do get into something bigger, Oh Boy, hang on for the ride.

That sounds like a fun catch RHW!!!!!!!!!!!! Carp are some of the best fighters out there

Troy Pike

I can remember years ago when Nate was little he caught a carp that had to be close to 20 lbs and we had to chase after him with the trolling motor or run out of line on the reel. Another time my X caught a big one on a 16th ounce maribou jig down there. I’ve even caught one on the Mississippi River on a crankbait trolling. Those fish will bite on anything somedays it seems. Lots of fun fighting em.
Thanks, Bill