Who’s Ready for Open Water

A recent trip to Florida has me pretty fired up for open water. I’d have no problem packing up the ice gear for a long nap. Give me some vitamin D, sunshine, and some tunes back on my boat. Anyone else?

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Nice Haul.

Looks like yellow snapper to me. My old man caught this one in the Keys a couple years ago. Put up quite a battle.

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Where’d ya go in FL w the kiddos? I’m getting together a trip rn and can’t seem to find that sweet spot between expensive touristy crap and cheapo college spring break stuff.

They are about a 10 mile boat ride from were I stay in Florida. Far reach for a kayak. Been thinking of selling my Alumacraft, for a salt water boat that will work at home. I’m only there for a little over 2 months. But fish about 30 days in that time. Just got a email from MFWS that Florida just registered it’s 1 millionth boat. Not counting N.R. boats. Yeah, it’s become a popular place.

I am more than ready. I’d rather sweat than shiver any day.

i’ll be ready after one more trip ice fishing next weekend!!!!!!!

I don’t know what it was about this winter, but I am so glad it’s over. These last few weeks were brutal. I am booking a trip somewhere around the first of March next year. The rest of the year I am barely inside so being cooped up like just gets overwhelming.

Bring on the boat time.

Yep. Planning on getting my boat out of its winter home next weekend. Have a new Ultrex to put on it too! Gonna be a great Spring!

mahtofire14 wrote:

Have a new Ultrex to put on it too!

You found one huh

Bites slow yet no rush

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Deuces wrote:

Where’d ya go in FL w the kiddos? I’m getting together a trip rn and can’t seem to find that sweet spot between expensive touristy crap and cheapo college spring break stuff.

Yep, Yellow Snapper. Let my kids and wife reel in most. I got to go on two other trips but we hammered fish on all 3 trips. In the Keys. Not cheap but it’s awesome down there.

My goofy brother sent me this picture about an hour ago. Claims he has 18 inches of ice under him. He’s on the Wisconsin river south of Wausau in Missonee Wisconsin.

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SO good to be back in the boat👍

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Glenn that would be Mosinee.

chuck100 wrote:

Glenn that would be Mosinee.

yeah suck at spelling that!!👍

Just got back from Lake Sharp SD open water fishing in the river below Pierre and weather was good and fishing was fantastic. Was great to be back in the boat

Son and I are going down to river by my house tomorrow, gonna cast out a couple lines for whatever bites

what ever you do, do not go to Ft Myers Beach, unless you like hoardes of people and 8 mile traffic jams, was their 4 weeks ago, beautiful weather and water, but insanity it was, way bad. Just got a path thru the snow to where my boat is stored, YES I am ready

We just got back from the USVI last week and it was much needed. Leaving for our first Lake Erie trip 3/28-4-8 and it can’t come soon enough!

Out ice fishing south dakota right now. Ready to be on the st Croix in the boat.

Tough bite Ron?

Craig Sery wrote:

Tough bite Ron?

No not at all. Caught tons of perch a few bonus crappies and lots off walleyes, no size to the walleyes though. All 12 to 16 inches. We are just packing up and going to look for big crappies.

shefland wrote:

what ever you do, do not go to Ft Myers Beach, unless you like hoardes of people and 8 mile traffic jams, was their 4 weeks ago, beautiful weather and water, but insanity it was, way bad.

You need to get a place right on the beach and you can take the tram everywhere. My kids love going there. If your going to try and drive a car around good luck. Get to the grocery store when they open in the morning and then relax the rest of the day.

I was open water fishing all of February!
Water was 85 degrees and the fish were biting like always. Surfing, boogie boarding and swimming in the ocean were great.
I’m just getting my ice fishing gear together now. This is by far my favorite time of year for ice fishing. Warmer temps and long days.

stevenoak wrote:

They are about a 10 mile boat ride from were I stay in Florida. Far reach for a kayak. Been thinking of selling my Alumacraft, for a salt water boat that will work at home. I’m only there for a little over 2 months. But fish about 30 days in that time. Just got a email from MFWS that Florida just registered it’s 1 millionth boat. Not counting N.R. boats. Yeah, it’s become a popular place.

This is my plan someday. Buy a center console and trailer it down for 2-3 months and then use it here in MN too

This was fishing with my son on his 10th birthday. Caught a bunch of fish including snapper for dinner.

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I love FL but there is no way you’ll catch me there from March through the end of April. Feb and May are my favorite times, spring break isn’t happening and the fish are biting almost wherever you go. Even the shore fishing is good. Saltwater is a blast.

lindyrig79 wrote:

Caught a bunch of fish

What’s that bottom one, mangrove snapper? I recognize the snook and the yellowtail but not the other one.

gim wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>lindyrig79 wrote:</div>
Caught a bunch of fish

What’s that bottom one, mangrove snapper? I recognize the snook and the yellowtail but not the other one.

Yeah the bottom one is a mangrove snapper you’re right. My son caught two snook and that smaller Jack crevalle