Saug-zilla!

  • James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    November 23, 2003 at 4:58 pm #1328670

    Saturday in all that cruddy, snowy, wet weather I enjoyed some of the best shallow water walleye fishing EVER as far as numbers of quality fish boated goes. By the end of the day my guide customer and I counted in excess of 50 fish (approximately 35 walleye / rest sauger) brought to the boat, nearly all in excess of 17″ – 18″. That’s a TON of fish caught casting! We had some big wallyes up to 6.5 – 7 Lbs and some rediculously huge saugers.

    As I know some of our visitors actually prefer to catch sauger over the walleye I thought I’d share some photos from yesterday’s trip. If you like to target trophy sized saugs, now is THE time. I’ve caught more saugers between 20″ – 22″ in the last two days than I’ve caught all fall prior and 19″ – 20″ saugers were common place.

    This first shot is of the largest sauger over the last couple days followed by a comparison shot next to an “average” 20 inch saug. I’m not sure what the big girl ate but that tummy looks a bit uncomfortable. We caught her on a oystershell ringworm from 15′ of water at the base of the rip rap near the dam.

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    November 23, 2003 at 4:59 pm #282891

    All these piggie saugers went back of course.

    Dave Koonce
    Moderator
    Prairie du Chien Wi.
    Posts: 6946
    November 23, 2003 at 5:06 pm #282893

    OMG Holst !!

    those saugers would eat the saugers we catch down here …

    Brian Lyons
    Posts: 894
    November 23, 2003 at 5:08 pm #282894

    Holy Moly
    Great fish James!!
    Sadly, I’m off the water for a couple weeks

    greg-vandemark
    Wabasha Mn
    Posts: 1096
    November 23, 2003 at 5:18 pm #282898

    Hey James nice fish.
    What kind of background program are you running????

    dustin_stewart
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 1402
    November 23, 2003 at 5:19 pm #282899

    That fish is so full it’s eyes are starting to bug out . I guess when you eat that much something has to give. Nice sauger Holst

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    November 23, 2003 at 5:22 pm #282901

    Not sure I get the question ‘der Vandy? That’s snow. It was in my ears all day. A smarter man would just wear a stocking cap, but I’m not a smarter man.

    Quote:

    What kind of background program are you running????

    greg-vandemark
    Wabasha Mn
    Posts: 1096
    November 23, 2003 at 5:35 pm #282902

    Those are some Great looking Sauger..
    You know I’m just so pissed cause I listened to the weather man.
    Stayed home washed the boat …I
    ‘m organizing my plastics as I speak…and putting new lines on rods…
    Man it is so warm out I could be wearing a speedo..
    This is the last Time I pay any attention to the weatherman.
    And I bet your going to tell me you were the only boat out there yesterday….

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    November 23, 2003 at 5:40 pm #282903

    No… not the only boat but at the “peak” I counted 8 boats and for the majority of the day I never fished within a 100 yards of anyone. It was nice and we should be out there right NOW too. The weather folks missed the forecast both days.

    dustin_stewart
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 1402
    November 23, 2003 at 5:43 pm #282904

    I think it’s a good idea that I stayed home today just in case I did see Vandy in a speedo. If anyone does make it out and see this? Do us all a favor and “DO NOT” post the pics here, they have other web sites out there for this kind of thing

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    November 23, 2003 at 7:00 pm #282908

    Vandy will be easy to recognize as I’m sure he will be wearing that dead animal on his head too. May your camera jam when that happens. lol. Couldn’t resist there Bud. Tooooooo good to pass up ya know. Thanks, Bill

    mossydan
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa
    Posts: 7727
    November 23, 2003 at 7:58 pm #282913

    Whats that sauger weight in the top picture? im guessing 4.5 pounds

    tony_apisa
    E. Moline Illinois along the Rock River
    Posts: 1180
    November 23, 2003 at 8:23 pm #282916

    YIKES Kiddo, they are some monstrous saugers.

    pfluggy
    ROSEMOUNT, MN
    Posts: 262
    November 23, 2003 at 8:51 pm #282919

    I SURE HOPE YOU GUYS ARE FUNIN ABOUT GETTING OUT TO DAY, MY TRUCK IS A ICE BALL ,GETTIN BOAT BACK UP MY DRIVE WAY NO WAY.I WAS ONE OF THE 8 BOATS OUT THERE, THINK I’LL PULL MY POST.WAY TO GO ~H2O~.

    wade_kuehl
    Northwest Iowa
    Posts: 6167
    November 23, 2003 at 10:33 pm #282924

    That’s a beauty Sauger there James! Don’t know what it’s like for you all today but I just cane in from scooping ice and snow off the drive. Winds are blowing hard and it’s darn cold. This will get the lakes freezing around here.

    Dave G
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 631
    November 23, 2003 at 11:33 pm #282930

    Vandy,

    I would be glad to donate some plastics so you can tie up a spanking new “ring worm speedo” with all the hot colors. Maybe some of the guys could throw in a few spare super doos for added dressing. Then all you would have to do is swim along the shoreline to attract them huge walleyes that are biting now. Although, you may finally realize that you don’t like catching walleyes anymore

    Dave G

    stuart
    Mn.
    Posts: 3682
    November 24, 2003 at 12:07 pm #282955

    I was at work sat.with tears in my eyes,knew it was going to be a good day for the river.Thanks for posting the pics James,those are some very nice fish and thanx for releasing them,wouldnt expect any thing less of you.

    chris-tuckner
    Hastings/Isle MN
    Posts: 12318
    November 24, 2003 at 12:40 pm #282957

    WOW! Those are truly quality fish! Ackbsolutely fantastic! When I get done with these deer, we have to get out!!!!
    Tuck

    stillakid2
    Roberts, WI
    Posts: 4603
    November 24, 2003 at 3:20 pm #282980

    Makes a guy wonder why hunting’s so important??? Geez James!! Awesome Saugs!!!

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    November 24, 2003 at 3:44 pm #282982

    I was scheduled to fish today with customers but after a check of the weather and a phone call to customers last night we rescheduled for later in the week. I always hate doing that ‘cuz the weatehr is a hard bugger to predict right… but it was a good call. I just walked outside and the LAST thing that crossed my mind was the thought of being out in a boat casting light jigs! B-er-rrrrrrrrr!

    Dakaja – Saturday was the day man! Every place we went we caught fish. After awhile it became almost a joke how many fish we were bringing to the boat. We had the pattern dialed in pretty good but with the storm coming in the fish were just nutz! Definitely one of those days a guy rarely gets to enjoy.

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    November 24, 2003 at 3:51 pm #282985

    Mossydan-

    I figure your guesstimate is likely pretty close although we didn’t scale her. Definitely more than 4 Lbs but I doubt she hit 5. I figure either take a picture or put the fish on the scale but not both in all but the most extreme cases. Doing both just takes way too much time in my opinion. We can usually get the fish back in the water in well under 60 seconds with Vick taking pics as he has the routine down cold. (Thanks Steve!)

    This wasn’t the biggest sauger I’ve ever caught but she sure was a dandy. We boated a post spawn sauger a few years back that was much longer that was over 5 Lbs. I’m convinced she would have been a candidate for the state record if we had caught her a couple weeks earlier. Timing is everything… she came up light and back she went!

    Quote:

    Whats that sauger weight in the top picture? im guessing 4.5 pounds

    tom_gursky
    Michigan's Upper Peninsula(Iron Mountain)
    Posts: 4751
    November 24, 2003 at 3:56 pm #282986

    Man!!! I can’t wait until Friday!! I sure hope we can get out. The weather(hopefully)will taper back to fishable in a couple days.
    I’ll see you on the water Friday James! I managed to connect up with Jarrad. We’ll be pitchin and grinnin!!

    Jack Naylor
    Apple Valley, MN
    Posts: 5668
    November 25, 2003 at 1:56 am #283069

    Super Sauger James, haven’t seen one that nice since last March. Keep’m comin’ thanks Jack.

    Don Hanson
    Posts: 2073
    November 25, 2003 at 4:23 pm #283132

    James was right on the money. I hated to see the day come to an end. had success with plactics and also hair jigs. I am hoping this week will be a repeat.

    mbenson
    Minocqua, Wisconsin
    Posts: 3842
    November 26, 2003 at 5:52 am #283195

    James:

    Great saugers!!! Those pics with you picking the snow out of your ears are also outstanding. Keep it up and let us know when the fish really start pounding!!! I am planning on being in the Pool 7 area the rest of this week for a cast and blast. You never know I might make it all the way up to Everts to check you guys out.

    Mark

    bt-eye
    Apple Valley, Mn (Pool 2)
    Posts: 352
    March 6, 2004 at 10:57 pm #295551

    I like the sheepskin seat cover. must keep the fanny nice and warm

Viewing 26 posts - 1 through 26 (of 26 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.