I still have PTSD from one particularly ‘intense’ launch at Roschen a few years back during a hurricane. By myself.

Eyeguy is spot on. Sure would be nice to invest in some infrastructure to help out a bit.

A tiller thread. Awesome! I’m on my 3rd tiller. Current one a 2009 1675 Pro Guide. I love tillers. I will admit on some days I wish I had a windshield when I’m on Pepin. But maybe I just need a bigger tiller. Hmmmmm. Hah.

I will say, at least for Pro Guides in the 1675 models, they’ve really cheapened them up and under-powered them. So my next tiller I’ll be taking a hard look at Competitors etc.

I salute your intent, Jon. To be honest, if there was a nifty filter on IDO that allowed me to filter out all the political BS I’d use it.

I also really miss James and crew’s videos. Even more so this year since ice has been in short supply. I’ve been so stir crazy I’ve almost posted something political before I came to my senses. But I digress.

Undaunted Courage that brandyman mentioned is a great nonfiction book (Lewis and Clark adventure etc.). The Ken Burns documentary on it is also good if you get tired of reading. Heh.

It’s been quite awhile, but books by Erik Larson are great I think. All historical non-fiction. I read The Devil in the White City years ago and it was great (takes place in Chicago 1890s…serial killer….pretty interesting.)

Woodlands/Devils Lake

BK! Was that you by the dam yesterday (Sunday), I was gonna swing by and ask for a Hamms, but was busy catching tiny fish and when I looked up you’d bailed. Next time.

Avoided the dam area. Focused on head of lake. Got rained on Friday. Tried again Sunday. Lots of short fish. Biggest was maybe 16″. No 360 for me. I just used The Force. (poorly apparently).

My favorite mass market Octoberfest is Spaten Octoberfest. At local breweries, Sylvan in Lanesboro had an excellent one last year and I think is about to release again. Spilled Grain is great, so appreciate that tip.

For those who visit Costco, I noticed a few days ago they were clearancing out Surly Octoberfest and, I think, Paulener.

All hail the Scratcher!

I caught similar amounts numbers-wise – on Saturday but it was basically the same 14″ walleye 20 times. Heh. So, in terms of ‘keepers’ I did not fare well.

As usual, however, I had no problem catching giant sheepshead.

Saw some mayflies around lake city. Not terrible. Yet.

Hey Scratcher!

I assume you’re asking for the river which is where I generally fish too (Pool 4). I’ve shifted from mono (12lb Berkley XT) to Invisxx 15 lb flouro recently. But it hasn’t seemed to make a bit of difference and may switch back to Berkley XT at some point. I have noticed, and maybe it’s just me, that the flouro seems to break easier after it’s been stretched.

When I fish Sakakawea in N.D. I use the same gear, but my family has always just used Stren mono out there (I think about 8lb) and it has worked well.

Michael Best wrote:

If you guys can find them try a Pizza Corner pizza. They are made in Valley City ND.
The 4 meat is the best.

I noticed they showed up in our little grocery in Granite Falls this past month.

For frozen pizza, Pizza Corner was indeed the best. It’s still pretty solid but they got bought out awhile ago and it’s not as good as it was. Very sad and touchy subject back in N.D.

6 or 8lb Fireline braid for vertical jigging. I used to add a floro or mono leader, but it didn’t seem to help me at all.

For Dubuque: 8-10 lb Fireline for main line. 10-lb Berkley trilene XT for dropper etc.

For Bottom Bouncing: 15 lb Fireline, and 15 or 17lb pound Seagur Invisixx for snell line.

I don’t think color of line impacts fish at all, but as I get old, I the high vis line is pretty handy.

I prefer in person etc. (Scheels) cuz then I can get the shiny ‘water proof’ copy of the license. And, well, it is a fishing license so mine has gotten wet in the past from the sheepshead slime etc.

But online is very slick/easy too.

Pro tip: Take a picture of your license and have it on your phone. Just in case.

Sushi bad, Spam good?

I’m just sayin…I think you could manage sushi.

Maybe wash it down with some Hamms.

Whoa. What….no more episodes that both thrill me and yet show how bad of a fisherman I am? No more shots of PJ lipping a laker? Dang it!

In all seriousness, congrats, James. Sounds like an amazing opportunity for you and the team. Looking forward to seeing where your journey takes you. Thanks for being such a great source of encouragement and advice for the IDO fisher people.

I had a somewhat similar issue last year with mine. I have a group 24 marine cranking, with helix and livewell also on it. What I noticed is after a few hours of use whenever I tried to start the motor (75hp 4 stroke Mercury) it would cause the Helix to turn off. Annoying. Local boat shop suggested that this year I replace the 24 with a 27 and that would probably cure it. I didn’t realize they made larger marine crank batteries than a 27. Hmmmmmm.

I hear ya. I’m really missing my boat right about now.

Anyway….I usually pull bottom bouncers with crawlers on Pool 4 from roughly May into August. At least for me it’s more of a warmer water bite, though you can catch fish on crawlers and bottom bouncers anytime of year. I have in the past pulled minnows on bottom bouncers in colder water – that can work fine too.

I will say I have shifted more toward plastics with dubuque or just plain jig in as I learn more about river fishing. But I love bottom bouncer fishing. Grew up fishing bouncers on Lake Sakakawea so I just have more confidence in that. Cranks will certainly catch you more fish at times, and sometimes I pull cranks. But to be honest, I find crank fishing incredibly boring. That’s just me/my opinion. I’m clearly in the minority there cuz seems like most guys pull the cranks in summer.

only other ‘advice’ i’d provide on bouncers on Pool 4…don’t ignore shallow water, as in 10 feet or less.

Great thread. I primarily use Smart Wool, and they do sell lighter midweight socks that can work for what you’re describing Suzuki. Smart Wool isn’t cheap but no complaints from me and occasionally you can find a deal.

Mike – for the sweating, I have gone to using a sock liner, and then heavy wool socks, when using Muck boots. Seems to work. But very important….invest in a boot dryer and air out/dry the Mucks after each use.

I only have one pair, but I bought a pair of alpaca socks last year and they are they are the warmest socks – and most comfortable – I’ve tried so far.

I guess I don’t really understand what James’ “input” to 13 will be, but if it ends up resulting in high value/quality ice rods at a lower price point, I’m all for it. He’s right that the higher priced rods for ice fishing last few years seem a tad excessive.

I also get that it’s a business, but at least for me there’s a ‘trust issue’ too. I have trusted James and crew and greatly value their advice and I do indeed watch what they use. I bought a TUCR rod or two solely because they have used/recommended it. I sneezed on one and it busted, so that sorta sucked. But…I replaced it under warranty and it’s hands down the best ice rod/rods I have. Same deal with my Striker gear.

Also…the fact that James is commenting/giving responses on this thread I respect. A lot of folks would just ignore the comments, so appreciate him being willing to engage.

Looking forward to this ice season. I hope they can top ‘lipping a laker’ episode. My favorite.

Mucks are definitely waterproof and lighter. But they, like the other neoprene, do not breathe so, at least for me, I find that wearing sock liners along with good socks helps. Cuz yeah….you’ll sweat a lot in them.

Heavy would be great. If it came in tall sizes.

Same thing happened to me and I ended up being the head coach for my son’s youth basketball team for 5 years. I wasn’t very good at it if you measured by victories, but I had fun and it was a great way to spend time with my son. Just jump in and do your best. The advice from the guys is great – most of all have fun.

One bit of advice that worked for me: Run those boys at the beginning of practice to tire them out a bit before you try and ‘coach’ them. Otherwise they’ll have a lot of pent up energy and spend time wrestling each other and stuff. heh.

good luck!

All great advice. Like most of the others I can’t seem to not catch them if I’m fishing for walleye. Crawlers, bottom bouncer….pretty much guaranteed to find em. I will say slower speeds (1 mph or less) and a bit shallower water seem to attract them. But they sure aren’t picky.

No tall size. In the words of Kip… Dang it.

X2 on the General Grabber ATX

Well if guy is brave enough to lip a lake trout, just assumed the net man might dive in after that slab. Just sayin. Hah!

Great show, fellas. And keep sharing some of the ‘misses’!

What a cool show and great way to end the season.

What was your line and rod set up, James/PJ?

Also, it was nice to see actual footage of James losing a fish! Like us mere mortals. Hah!

Awesome show. Using the ole tiller like a boss! I bet the roller trailer comes in handy on that “launch”!

I like SI, but wish I was better at ‘reading’ it. I’ve watched the YouTube videos etc, and it helps. But boy, with my old eyes, I still squint and try to guesstimate if it’s a rock or tree or giant walleye (or in my case, a giant sheepie).

If could swing it and they made it, a 20″ screen….yeah….

Thanks for sharing! I miss all the great advice from Crappie Tom.