Continuing the thread…

Looking into specifics for a trip to Crocodile Bay this winter if anyone else has the itch…..

Thanks to all — Not sure if this will happen for us this year or next, but it sure looks like a great trip. I’d really like to talk some buddies into going. It probably would be more enjoyable as a group vs just my wife and I. Offshore bill fishing looks awesome, but inshore fishing really piques my interest. Roosters, snapper, jacks, and whatever else is hanging out in the rocks.

For those that have been to (or are going to) fishing specific resorts like Crocodile Bay, what kind of itinerary’s work best? I’m thinking 3-4 days of fishing for a 7 day trip. Relaxing and eco tours the other days. Would love to see the volcanoes and hot springs, but might be tough to do all of that on a 7 day trip. Just might have to extend it to 10 days, I suppose.

That’s the main one we are looking at. Fishing and accommodations looks great, and lots of eco-tour stuff to do when not fishing. I just wasn’t sure if there were many other resorts similar to Crododile Bay or not. It would be a blast to get down there for 6-7 days with another coupld (or even just a guys fishing trip)….

I shot the Cooper the other day for the first time to run it through the mnf recommended break-in procedure. 20 rounds of the cheapest ammo I could find at Scheels since I don’t have any .270 loaded up yet. It shot slightly sub MOA with those shells. Was consistently putting a few in the same hole at 106 yards, with one or two “fliers” less than an inch away per each 5 shot group. So far, I’m impressed. Can’t wait to get the right load worked up.

Fit, finish and feel are great. Very pretty gun. Bolt and magazine are both very smooth. Nice gun.

Mike

50 yds…. Because they test fire all of their guns indoors to prove their .5MOA garauntee…. Which, as a fact of their facilities, happens to be a 50 yard, indoor, controlled environment range. Beats what any other manufacturer does for their buyer….

I have their load info, but wanted to take other users experience into consideration. Doesn’t look like I’ll find it here!

Yes, I have their load info, but that doesn’t mean it is necessarily optimal for that gun – although their test target was 1 hole at 50 yds… They also use matchkings, which I’d rather not use for hunting. The gamekings are built differently. The Berger VLD bullets seem a closer match at first glance, but I’m wondering if anyone has any first hand experience before I buy bullets. If not, I’ll start with Bergers and their powder, etc… I realize each gun is unique…

Never wash Gore-Tex, no matter what “they” say… Shortens life, plus the smell keeps other boats at a respectable distance.

But how do I find flow data for a specific date range from a year ago??

Gore TeX or similar material might work just fine, probably will end up with that type of cloth… worth asking, though. I have a nice pair of decoy gloves, but those don’t get worn the whole time, nor would they protect elbow to shoulder from wet cattails while chasing downed birds… saw some jackets with neoprene cuffs out there… will have to keep my eyes open next run to cabelas… sitka gear looks great, but not sure if I can justify a 3x price jump from cabelas brand stuff…

Mudcat –

Your response was great, good info and food for thought – thanks!

My post was mostly schemes and dreams, but its fun to throw out and think about all of the options..

This isn’t a photo of my boat, but it looks to be the same model. FYI, if that helps at all.

Maybe a silly idea and I should just look for a used layout boat somewhere (or give up the idea of layout boat hunting), but it sounds like something fun to think about anyway.

A few good recent pics.

Any guesses to how much he weighs?

Sow and cub pics thrown in for comparison…

Anyone use the Moultrie cameras? I saw some base model Moultrie’s (Game spy A-5) for around $65. Hard to ignore that price….

I haven’t been in the market for a trail camera for a few years, so forgive my questions/ignorance in regards to the models, features and pricing structures that are currently on the market.

Bob — Sounds good!!

Do you know where a guy could find one of those for $90? I did a brief search and they were $100 and up (+ shipping)… If anyone sees or hears of any cheap retailers or any big sales on low-cost cameras such as these, please let me know!! – Looking for a few more since my bear bait spots are starting to outnumber my working cameras… And I don’t want to put a dent in my bear bait budget by spending lots on cameras…

Anyone else have input on cameras?

Thanks guys!!

Good reply, thanks Steve!

Any pics on how you rig them up? I’m sure its not overly complicated, but I’d be interested in what terminal tackle you go with.

I’ve caught cats on this lake from docks that sit along shallow weed-choked shorelines… I’ll have my boat out there this time… Would it be worth hanging a bully/stinkbait below a big float and cast into the shoreline (we’ve caught them before in that manner, but using worms as bait… we sorted through a lot of sheephead that way…), or would you always go with an anchored setup, never using a float?

Sorry, not much of a cat guy, but it would be fun to get into a few. There are some pretty good sized ones in that lake. Sounds like fun, especially if we can get the kids into a couple.

Potential for musky in that lake also, I suppose… Possibly would hit a bullhead, similar to sucker fishing for musky…

Cut bait… Like a cut up filet of bullhead??

I’ll be fishing a lake in ~ 1 month that I know has some decent channels. (No flats as far as I know) and I also know where to get unlimited supplies of small bullheads.

As far as laws, I’ll check the regs… But what is the quick and dirty law synopsis for MN bullhead use?

THANKS!

BUMP…

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How much garage length will I need when I bring one home? (Including motor tilted up on a transom saver and hinged trailer extended at full towing length….)

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Yup, its a lot of rods.. But some days core is all that is catching fish. I’ve had a number of zero fish days on the riggers while core is hammering fish. Usually worth it, I would say that leadcore probably has taken at least half the salmon in my boat over the last few years. SWR usually outperforms the other rigger, also…

Another question… How do these bigger glass/bunk trailer boats launch on “smaller” ramps? For frame of reference, I now run an 18’aluminum Lund Explorer / 140 Suzuki / roller trailer. I assume there won’t be too much difference in ability to launch/load vs what I have now. (??) Can I assume that if I can get my boat in now, I should be able to get a 20′ MX in (and out) as well? Do these boats have to be power loaded preferably, or can they be winched (at least partway) onto the trailer??? A few lakes that I fish have “no powerloading” notices at the launch… I do fish alone occasionally – any concerns about getting this in/out by myself?

Forgive my ignorance, I’ve never owned or even looked into a glass boat/bunk trailer…. But I’m heavily considering it for the future…

Thanks!

How much garage length will I need when I bring one home? (Including motor tilted up on a transom saver and hinged trailer extended at full towing length….)

Lets not forget, nor stop giving thanks to those who sacrificed… But lets also not let their sacrifices be in vain. Continue to fight for the republic and what makes this nation great. Complacency with current events and allowing atrocities like the attacks on the 2nd Amendment/Constitution as whole, the IRS targeting scandals, and a non-accountable, grossly over-reaching government body should NOT be swept under the rug!!

God Bless America.

Grill it, medium rare…. Mine was awesome a few years back.. Very much like beef.

Otherwise, jerky. I have bear and turkey jerky marinating in the fridge right now… Going on the BGE this weekend.

Hey Paul —

I’ll be headed up to Labelle’s in 3 weeks… I would be interested in the report if you would be so kind when you return!!

I’d assume that things are a little behind schedule right now as far as water temps and weed growth, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing… Hope you guys do well and get into some fish! Have you fished up there a bunch before??

Do you fish mostly NW bay, or do you get up to Ash or Alexandria at all? Or main lake portions? I’d assume it would be mostly shallow post spawn stuff right now, and more transition stuff when we get up there in a few weeks…

Anyway, best of luck. Let us know how you did when you get back!

Lease = Fleece.

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are the walleye spawned out yet on pool 4 and do they bite right after spawnung

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They bite. Some of the best bites I’ve ever been in on the river have been immediately after the fish have spawned. The trick very often is in finding them. They don’t hang around the spawning areas once they drop eggs.

For example, here’s an April river report from Pool 4 back when I was guiding. http://www.idofishing.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=reports&Number=322082

All the fish in this report had just spawned.

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….thanks for re-posting that old report, James… I had nearly forgotten about that day we caught all those pigs… YA RIGHT…
…. I think my heart is still racing from that day!

…. Don’t fish tournaments???? …..

Nope. That would make a lot of sense, but my 997 is straight wired to the cranking battery.

Has a lot to do with garage floor type and boat tire type.

On a concrete garage floor and most level parking lots I can hand move my 18′ Lund with ease…. But only with radials.

I had bias ply tires for a few years, and it was a PITA every time I tried to push that boat around.

2 cents.