Hey Guys,
Thanks for the input. My boat goes into storage on the 19th. Maybe for some gas money, I could hook up with one of you in October…
Best of luck to all you.
BTW, Matt, I was in a white Warrior V177 Eagle that particular day… dodging a dork on a Jet Ski, and the Thurston Howell III Yachts…
I ended up buying the boat last weekend. Anyone here knowledgeable on fiberglass? Got a question about a gel crack….
I may also be looking for winter storage, pending what happens this weekend.
I am in Golden Valley, looking for storage (pole barn, etc) within 1.5 hrs of the metro.
Appreciate it….
I met Linda at Twin Pines a few weeks ago. She was very cordial, and it was a pleasure to listen to her talk about the state of the lake…
A comprehensive ice update ..
5 minute video
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dutchboy wrote:</div>
Large pike are a precious resourse.<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>belletaine wrote:</div>
Here In Minnesota it doesn’t open until June.And yet the white man continues to spear every big northern in the state. I’ve heard of a doz over 20 pounds speared this winter…so sad. That’s after talking to only two people that spear. I can’t imagine the damage done state wide.
We were out there again yesterday. Top of ice is getting real soft. Still people driving 1/2 ton trucks out there. Pretty slow, a handful of panfish…
I used to count rod sweeps, using a 45 degree sweep back and forth. I forgot measurements, as it has been years, but it should be repeatable….
Dave, was out by Maiden Rock on Monday. 14″ of ice, A few driving out. I don’t think I’d be driving after today…
20″ Pepin Eye, today.
100_0205.jpg
This made me chuckle…
With the warm-up the pressure ridge “pushed” and first thing this morning there was 2 hours spent re-positioning our bridge and putting it in a new spot. Plus we had to replace a few of the 2″ by 6″ white oak decking planks that were broken by someone that was obviously “stupid” (and probably drunk), driving a vehicle over it too fast in the middle of the night. Customers that were out there reported to me that sometime after 2:30am a couple vehicles were driving around at high speeds, swerving and spinning on the roads. Apparently one of them went over our bridge and as “karma” would have it… bottomed out their vehicle on the top of the ramp and damaged their oil pan, leaving a trail of oil headed out onto the main lake towards the gravel bars. I hope they destroyed their engine and someone that reads this lets me know who it was so I can turn them in for polluting the lake, and damaging my bridge. They deserve everything that can be thrown at them. I have no patience for crap like that out there.
Which leads me to this. With all the new wheelhouse people up here these days and the disrespect some of them seem to have for other fishermen, I think it is time for changes in the State laws of distance between fish houses, permanent, portable, and wheelhouses on large lakes. There is absolutely no reason why anyone has to be within 75-100 feet of anybody out there on Mille Lacs. All daily access wheelhouse customers here get a little information sheet explaining how we would like to see them respect others and keep their speeds down on the ice roads. And most part they all appreciate it. We have customers coming here just because of that. Maybe it’s time that other resorts around this lake start doing that also, and maybe there wouldn’t be so many problems with fishermen going out of one access and coming in on another, or using some other resorts bridge when they went out of a different resort, driving way too fast on the ice roads, all sorts of things related to fishermen that don’t know what should be done to make it safe and enjoyable for everyone. And for you shitheads that think joyriding around in the middle of the night for fun on the ice roads because you are stupid and think you can….get a life….you are the ones that will wreck it for everyone. And may God help you if I ever catch you at it….I guarantee it will be the last time you ever do it…
Keep a Tight Line! Eddy
Was up on Garrison Bay Saturday. Public access is messed up, but you still can get on. Another 6″ of ice, and you’d need an extension…
Was planning on going on Vineland, but they had motorcycle races going on. Wigwam’s access is only good for wheelers… just an fyi.
Appreciate the insight. Will be taking it out this afternoon to try it out.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bendvoracek wrote:</div>
Does not surprise me at all!!! I live in Eden Prairie and every time!!!! I go to the store they have empty shelves of stuff I want. Not to mention a huge lack of employees helping our customers that actually have any knowledge about fishing.????Ben
Ain’t that the truth. Going into that store is depressing.
The world of retail is changing (or has changed) dramatically. I have worked p/t in this area in recent years. Try to get a qualified applicant in this day and age. The knowledge base is retiring, and being replaced by people who have very little social skills, nor knowledge of the industry.
just walked down to landing expected it to be wetter assuming the clouds are helping once the sun comes out probably a different story. Saw that truck went through on grays bay. Brothers friend was on his lunch break and saw it go through. is that an area that usually have problems? never ice fished Tonka have heard you have to know where your going ice fishing.
I fish Grays bay a few times each winter. Where the issues arise, is over by the channel. This is where I assumed he went down. I was out a little over a week ago, and the launch was in fine shape. A bit odd, but so is this winter….
Well if true, they wouldn’t be the first clothing store to go down in flames…
Isn’t that the truth? I grew up by the ORIGINAL Gander Mtn in Wilmot, WI. What a difference from the 1970s…..
Truck went thru on Grays Bay today.
One other question. What are the pros/cons of the bench vs the swivel seats? In some respects, the bench certainly has some merits. I did not feel uncomfortable sitting on it. It looks like it swivels up, so you can load gear in underneath…
Certainly appreciate the feedback. Will be deciding soon..
Can anyone clarify that the field supply website is legit? Seems too good to be true.
Order here, totally legit. Got mine quickly.
Anyone have any info on the Lake Effect Heat Sink jackets? Not much out there, seems they are more geared towards sled riding.
Really good deal on them at GM..
How do they compare for warmth with the Predator or Hardwater lineup?
I have the I2 bibs. It would depend on what conditions you fish in, but I’ll tell you — the I3s may make you too warm. Over on another site, it has been debated quite a bit. A decent pair of long underwear and sweats with the I2, and you should be good in the low to mid teens……
One other question, is there a public launch to drive out on in Waukon or Twin Bays?
Hey guys,
I appreciate the help. Sorry for not getting back earlier, been busy.
Good luck this winter!
Gillespie has been on since I was a kid, so he must be doing something right. As much as he can be ‘over the top’, he does take the time to show presentations and techniques.
Some shows are nothing more than an infomercial (as has been stated many times in this thread).
I should have added that my original thoughts were to get a Helix 5. I’d like to keep this purchase below $250.00
That unit has GPS mapping, down imaging and includes a map chip. Not sure how useful their mapping is, but for 199.99, I am not expecting the world.
I thought I read 500 lakes with 1′ contours, and 5000 at 3′ intervals…
Realistically, the only issue I might see would be screen size. But on a 14′ Jon, I’ll be close to the unit.
yes, I retrieve birds by hand. Waist deep or less, so no real issues.
I am going to call on the 1448 later today, and pick it up Monday I think..
Thinking over the winter a Helix 5 w/ DI would be a nice addition to the boat.
Do you hunt areas shallow enough to retrieve birds with waders on vs having to retrieve birds by pulling the boat out for each bird?
Personally our group doesn’t care for mv’s a great deal. The 1848 is a first gen mv and is 18′ long so it doesn’t matter as much. There are some space intrusion with the mv. And they really aren’t wave cutters comparatively to a v hull. Once again personal preference is what it boils down to. We all like the flatter front ends for our applications. MV’s do cut waves better and have a pointier front end that makes then a tad easier to pull up and bury.
It sounds like to me a 1448 mv is better for your application, but just an opinion.
Good luck with it.
The fishing part of the equation would be the likes of Pool 2, perhaps pool 4 a time or 2 a year. Lakes would be of the 500 acre variety… fishing would be by myself.
Hunting, I don’t own a dog, so that isn’t an issue. Taking a 2nd person with me a few times a year with, say 5 dozen dekes, shouldn’t present any issues I would think??
From being in a few Jons in my life, the MV seems to cut a chop much better than the tradtional design, right?
