The new lake to the east is a pretty serious bowl once it drops off the beach… about 40 feet of water for the most part

Bob,

I had the same issue with my older 70 thrust powerdrive… I cleaned contacts and then got a new pedal with the same results… I ended up having to replace the computer chip in the head of the unit

There was little to no access in Winona area on Saturday morning unless you were walking off docks. Also the current through normally dormant holes made for a real interesting bite or lack there of.

Ben… looks like a good one. Glad to see you are still at it out in the outdoors. Feel free to drop a few loin cuts off to me

I went out to Webster for the past 6 years twice a winter to get on big perch. In our early years we did very well with tank perch and good walleyes. The last three or so years the bite has really slowed down for us. I have found that I can do about the same here in SE MN on the river. We actually headed back to northern MN last winter and despite the heavy snow late in the season had a pretty good trip. We fished 4 lakes around Black Duck. I talked with a guide when we were out to eat the last trip to the dakotas and he had talked about falling water levels and how that has a negative impact on the perch spawn… If you do head out there I would recommend staying at Hidden Hills lodge right outside Webster.

I will be fishing it again this year. Great tourney, 100 boats this time around. I have been out the past two weeks searching… I have zeroed most days. A lot of boats out on Saturday. They actually closed Ike park ramp during the day, should be interesting. Will be back out on Wed. Good luck.

I fish the river 5 and 5a almost every week during open water. In my opinion 55 is not enough for that boat to hold in most of the current that I fish. Anything main channel that is not seemed in slack water is going to be hard to hold in. This is just my opinion from experience. I run an 80 and in some cases still have issues when fishing smallmouth

I use the “Thunder Rage” by Onyx and I love it. Have not had any issues in the three years I have been running them.

I was on Peterson last week with ATV, over 12 everywhere I was. I do not know that area super well, so be careful. I simply went where I know how the current flows. I did not do well, scrapped out a few fish but not worth my drive

I have been going out to Webster for the past 4 years. I only fished Waubay once in all those years. SD has so much to choose from in that area, though what I learned last year about the big bodies of water was what some guide told me the first year I was out there when we were out to dinner… “Its basin fishing… you sit and wait for the school to come through catch a few and then wait some more” If I was in an ice castle and enjoying time with friends I would look at SD. You could fill your bucket with nice perch and eyes with an all day sit.
I will be out there again at the start of Jan. We are going to start on Waubay the first morning, depending upon the bite may move to one of the 100’s of local potholes to get on the bite.

Reeds has always been the vendor that I end up getting the best deals and freebies from. Good service and if you are bundling items together especially big ticket items you will not find a better price anywhere, including on-line. Me and the group that I fish with usually will go together when we are in the need of big purchase items, has served us well every time.

For what its worth I sold my jiffy gas three years ago and went to the jiffy propane, have had no issues with it what so ever even when in the Dakota’s in -25. Changed the oil last night and it started on second pull.

The guy holding it is Marcus Quam out of SD (Webster area) I am going to guess that this fish came out of horseshoe lake or one of the ones right around that area, there is really a good smallmouth bite in that area, even during ice fishing.

On the youth day we usually see some 2.5 or so… nothing huge.

I also have a bradley, 6 years now and still love it. The newer ones are better constructed, but mine still works well. The pucks can get a a little expensive if you do not buy in bulk when they go on sale.

Besides lake zumbro and the zumbro river that is all you are going to find for smallmouth. The smallmouth fishing outside the damn is really a blast. Chester woods bass fishing is getting better every season, flipping soft plastics like a brush hog always seems to produce. Cascade lake and the others attached to it on second street are also good bass producers

During the summer when I am in Maine a pontoon is all I have to fish out of. It does the trick, but the must have is a powerful trolling motor. If there is any wind at all that boat is like a sail. Trying to do things like flipping docks and trees is impossible without at least a 70 in my opinion

I have a Thunder Rage rain suit, two years strong now and love it. Made by Onyx.

I have used the A-33 from Onxy in all kinds of crazy weather and have had no issues, I highly recommend them.

Glad to read this post…. I had the same problem with my sunflower, seems like it is not the best design. The wire that attaches to the back of the heater had frayed or broke, and if that wire is not touching (At the very end of the wire) the pilot quickly shuts off. I spent about three weeks with it bent back on and touching, but would have to re set it everytime we moved spots sooo… and I know this is not ideal but it does work with out spending any money. I now have a thick wire tie sorounded by tape that keeps the button engaged. No safety problems and has worked fine ever since. I know it is not ideal but it is going to get me through the season.

I use artic warriors for walleye and pike and have great success. I do not know if this helps or not but over the last two years I have switched to predator rigs and have had no issue on hook sets. Like the posts above I set my drag 100 percent loose and do not recall having any drops before I could get over there to set the hook

Was at Cascade Lake off of second street in Rochester last evening. The ice was not as good as I was thinking it would be. Was able to get out on 3 inches and a lot of slush. A few spots were less than 3 so be careful. The bite was pretty good, and the crappies seem to be getting a bit bigger.