Thanks, I can probably get it for around $9000, so it sounds pretty reasonable.

Hey Chappy, missed your post prior to leaving on Thursday morning. Your not gonna believe it, but I was at Woodlawn myself Saturday night. In fact, I admired your boat on the way off the docks Sunday morning. Nice rig. Anyway, I absolutely tore the bass up. Caught most of them on a Rebel Crawdad crank. Lots on other stuff as well. The guy I was fishing with did well with the sunfish on waxworms and small jigs under a bobber.

Wish I woulda saw your post ahead of time so we might of had a chance to fish together. Maybe next time

How did it go on Minnewaska this weekend? I will be up there for a couple days (Thurs – Sunday). I’m pretty familiar with the fishing there, but any last minute patterns would greatly be appreciated.

I like all of those baits, but if trout are not biting anything, I have a secret corn recipe that even the most finicky trout can not resist (in any river, creek or pond system).

I know what most of you are thinking, so please be gentle with the negative comments.

I to have had similar situations where others have asked for fish that I was catching. With all but a very few exceptions, I have declined. One time, however, I gave an old timer a 14 inch bass. He had been on the ice all day half-frozen and only had a couple small panfish. He said he was trying to get enough for him and his wife to eat. The way I figured, one little bass didn’t hurt the population. He thanked me several times and was on his way shortly thereafter.

On a side note: as far as tipup fishing, please make sure those big northern and bass are ready and able to be released. Hate to see those fish that aren’t releasable set back under the ice only to end up as eagle food at ice out.

Here are two sites with depths for Wazee. The first states a depth of 355′, and the second a depth of 361′. Historically, Green Lake was listed as the deepest inland lake in Wisconsin, but since Wazee was opened to the public for fishing and scuba diving, it was given the title.

http://www.co.jackson.wi.us/html/forestry/scuba.htm
http://www.scubadiveandtravel.com/fun%20dives/wazee.htm

Woolybooger,

Are they paying you up there to keep updated on the flatheads? Just kidding. Get some reels with baitclickers. Or get a black light setup and paint the tips of your rods white or put some white tape on them. The black lighting doesn’t attract as many bugs and the rod tips will glow extremely bright. You won’t have any problems seeing them.

After you and I are done with our part time summer obligations, I wouldn’t mind hitting the river with you a few times.

Biggest largemouth I ever had a chance to weigh was just over seven pounds. Have caught several in the 22+ inch range (not on the Mississippi). My brother caught one 15 years ago on a small lake in west central Wisconsin that tipped the scales at 8 lbs 10 oz. That was after laying dead in a cooler all day after a fishing trip. Biggest smallie I’ve ever caught was 6lbs 3 oz. 22.5 inches. Once again not on the river though.

I agree with mavzer 100%. Everyone must decide for themselves what to keep and what to throw back. Don’t try to force anyone into catch and release, or they’ll keep fish just to spite you. I posted a month or so ago about some guys who literally fill their freezer with fillets. Those guys also let me know every time they come out of one of my favorite spots with a limit of fish just because they know it pisses me off. I’ve tried talking to them with no luck. Now I just avoid them and definitely don’t show them any more spots.

Thank you. Please keep those types of posts off this forum. The reason I like this forum is that it is very informative and not full of garbage posts.

Here’s a link to another estimator that factors in the girth as well as length:

http://www.gowalleye.com/calc.htm

What was the girth measurement? Can’t wait to see the pictures. According to one formula I have for walleyes (length x length x length divided by 2700), your fish would weigh 13.31 lbs.

Here is a link to a chart of other calculations done with the same formula:

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/faq/trophy.htm

You can either use the formulas yourself or click on the converter table and print out a multi-species list of calculated weights.

Thanks for the link. Guess I should check out the outlet store more often.

What’s the availability of these spinners? Can you by them at local baitshops? Mail order? Internet?

In my experience, the circle hooks work better on fish that tend to grab a bait and run with it, thus often times starting the hookset themselves. I’ve had good luck using them for cats and rough fish; I’ve also used them for bass fishing with leeches under a slip bobber. Never tried them on walleye though.

I think anyone who fishes live bait, especially in a situation where you’re giving the fish time to “swallow” it, needs to try circle hooks. I’ve used them with great success over the last few years. They can’t be beaten for hook removal. Like you said, however, you need to overcome the urge of a traditional hook set.

Normark

10395 Yellow Circle Drive

Minnetonka, MN 55343

Send the remains with a letter of explanation to the company. I’ve had good luck with various companies sending new stuff. The last thing they want is for someone to switch to a competitor over a couple bad cranks. It is somewhat of a hassle, but like you said, it’s nearly six bucks a pop. Sometimes takes them a while, so I wouldn’t hold your breath.

I have a 6500 spooled with 80lb Whiplash (which has a diameter of 17lb mono). I use it for cats and for baitcaiting for big pike and muskies. Works equally well for both.

If only one, I would also have to have a jig.

I’m sure the Fireline still gets twisted, but unlike mono, it’s not affected nearly as much. That is it doesn’t bunch up and twist as a result. As far as strength, I’ve landed some awfully large fish, including a 40+ in sturgeon on the 4lb Fireline. The one thing I don’t like about Fireline is that since it is such a small diameter line, when it does get a bird nest in it, it’s nearly impossible to get out. Better off cutting the line and starting over.

What type of spinners are you using? I’ve used 4/1 Fireline with a variety of Panther Martin spinners and have never had a problem with line twist.

Mounting fish is a topic that is somewhat controversial to many anglers, and there are several things that need to be considered when discussing the issue. First and foremost, I believe a “mounting” caliber fish is determined by the angler who catches it regardless of whether it’s a 4 inch sunfish or a 50 inch musky. For those of you who strictly practice CPR, I tip my hat to you; however, I never discourage fishermen from deciding to mount a trophy. I do think the replica is a reasonable compromise, but they are significantly more expensive. I believe most sportsmen will release the majority of the spawning females anyway. Keeping a few trophy fish over the course of a lifetime is hardly a detriment to the walleye population. The fact is, the average fisherman is not going to catch a whole lotta walleyes over 8 pounds. I say if you want it mounted, do it.

There are extreme cases that I disagree with also. A brother of mine is terrible about keeping and mounting what most people would consider average to above average fish. If I had to guess, I would say he has 15 largemouth bass mounted ranging from 5-7 pounds and 6 walleyes from 6-8 pounds mounted on his wall (not to mention about ten 12-14 inch whitetail bucks—–but that’s another forum in itself). This my friends is ridiculous. Although I disagree with my brother- I mean how many of these fish do you need mounted, these mounts represent nearly 25 years of fishing. Somewhat of a problem for the local fish population, but not enough to wipe them out. Only really an average of less than one fish per year.

I know some other guys who literally fill a freezer with fish fillets over the course of a spring and summer. Everything they catch is cleaned and frozen regardless of if it’s a 14 inch bass or an eight pound walleye. These types of people are the ones hurting the populations. This type of nonsense is what hurts fishing for everyone.

As far as releasing fish, I release nearly 100% of the fish I catch. The one’s I do keep are usually because of being hooked too bad. I think there are too many people who are releasing fish that are not capable of surviving. Last summer near Winona on one of the back channels, I came across a 43 inch decaying pike. I inspected the fish (which had been baking in the hot sun for a few days) and discovered what looked to be hook marks inside the mounth and near the throat. I came to the conclusion that someone must have caught and released it. I believe that this happens a lot with many species with anglers who handle fish inappropriately. It’s fine to get a quick picture and release, but make sure the fish is healthy enough to be released. I’ve seen people release fish that have blood streaming down their belly out of the gills. I’m sorry, but I don’t see that fish living too long. I’ve also read studies about muskies that were equipped with transmitters and had been caught and released by anglers. A very high percentage of those fish ended up dying. Some even months later. I think everyone has released a fish (even if it was a perch) that minutes later floated to the top ( what a sick feeling). Too often, anglers release unhealthy fish that resurface belly up a hundred yards downstream. The anlgler feels good about releasing the fish and an eagle gets to feast of an easy to reach 8 pound walleye. All I’m saying is to make sure you make every effort to get the fish back as soon and as healthy as possible.

One last thing I want to comment about is taxidermy itself. It bothers me to see sportsmen discouraging others from taking fish to taxidermists. In my opinion, most taxidermists are true artists who bring back life into dead flesh. These guys are sportsmen too. They’re not just looking for a paycheck here. I know first hand this isn’t the case. My older brother (not the one listed above) is a taxidermist who tries to make a living making trophies come back to life. I see taxidermy as part of the whole fishing process, just not for everyone.

I personally have never eaten a bowfin. I know people who claim they have. They say it’s not bad at all. I’m not sure if they’re just trying to trick me or what. Regardless of what they taste like, if you don’t like’em, throw’em back. They’re awesome fish to catch.

Nice site. I especially like the photo section.

Although I have caught dogs on dead bait, I’ve caught far more on spinnerbaits. Sure am thankful for titanium wire. Have you ever seen what a 8-10 pound dogfish will do to a traditional spinnerbait?

These fish aren’t rare at all. Just about any backwater is full of them. My favorite way to fish for them is to slow roll a spinnerbait in shallow water (3ft or less) just fast enough for the blade to turn. If this method fails, fish a piece of cut bait on bottom or under a bobber a 1-3 feet off shore. Make sure your bail is open or your drag is set weak, because when a dog decides to bite, hang on. They’re about as bad as carp. I’ve nearly lost a pole several times fishing for dogs with a tight drag leaving my pole propped against something.

Yes, it is about the same diameter as a typical 17lb mono. I have used the lighter whiplash for smaller setups as well. No complaints about any of it.

I do believe, at least in clear water situations, that line can and does spook fish. On a trip last year in Illinois, I was live bait fishing for pike and smallmouth in a clearwater sandpit. The only difference between the setup I was using and the one my brother was using was the line. I was using a braided superline and he was using Vanish. He caught three pike and four smallies while I caught a cold.

I’ve used several liquid hull cleaners. All seem to work well. I purchased one at Fleet Farm in Winona. You should be able to find one virtually anywhere that deals with boats and accessories.

I’ve used everthing from spiderwire to fireline. Lures all seem to act the same for me when using Whiplash as compared to any of the others. The only reason I didn’t care for the others was the fact that the tend to fray after several trips. I’ve also noticed improved knot longevity with the Whiplash. In the past with other super lines, I’ve had fish break off at the boat right at the knot. I seldom have to rety the Whiplash and I’ve never broke off on a fish as of yet. That includes 40+ inch muskies.