With Inconsistent weather and weather fronts, I have stuck to the only thing that has remained consistent in South Dakota: trolling cranks. Fish have remained in that 12-14 foot depths hugging deep weed lines. Rapala Minnow Raps in #9 continue to produce. No surprise here Hot Steel is still the best producer, with firetiger, and now bleeding craw putting fish in the net. #7 minnow raps have been working well on the inside rod picking up less weeds and hugging just a bit tighter when needed.
Trolling tight to weeds has been key to the success my groups have been having as well as being able to deal with the weeds. It seems if your not catching fish you are picking off weeds. The #7 minnow rap has helped with this some by being able to hug the weeds a little shallower. Livebaiters are catching some fish but dealing with more smaller fish. Cranks tend to weed out some of the smaller 12-14s that others are messing with. We are running line back 135-150 feet with 10lb Sufix. Line distance has proves to be the key factor as anything under 100 feet isn’t getting sniffed at. The lake I have been doing a lot of fishing on is relatively clear so I am guessing the long lining really helps in this situation.
This past week a last minute phone call had my Dad out fishing with me for the first time in the boat in the open water this year. We laced up the minnow raps and I put the rods in the holders. It is fun to see the role reversal. Me driving the boat and handing dad the trolling rods. Him laughing and having a good time. Such a good way to pay back Dad for all the many memories he gave me as a kid. We had a slower day, in about 4 hours we put roughly 20 fish in the boat with a few pike as well. We also had fun casting some of the weedpoints with Rapala Clackin Raps for smallmouth. Some of the smallies were upwards of 18 inches and put up a good fight on the spinning gear. Heres to you Dad thanks for all the memories over the year. I always cherish getting family out for some fishing. I have been scouting out some new lakes for winter in between as well as trying to shoot a few geese. Hope everyone has a chance to get out on the water soon, tight lines and wet nets.
If anyone has any questions don’t hesitate to text, call, or PM, – QB
Your a good Kid QB !!!
It is always great to see a big ol smile on Pop’s face
Looks like your fishing out of the duck hunting boat.
Pretty soon you should be able to shoot a bunch of water fowl in the morning, then hammer a couple walleyes all before lunch.
Nice bunch of fish Quintin!
Great report bud… Very good info in there about how to find the right lures to hug the weeds but still being able to get them far enough back from the boat. Lot’s of people are dead set on using a favorite lure and end up not getting bit rather than mixing it up and letting the conditions dictate your lure selection.
And I know exactly what you mean about how much fun it is to take dad out and pay him back for all the years he spent teaching me how to fish. Well done!
Nice report, TKS!
Love the part about not catching fish unless you’re hitting weeds. The trollers-bane, most of us have a love/hate relationship with the hook-fouling late-summer mess. Just like other cover however, if you’re not near it or in it, you’re not getting bit. Thanks for the info!
Joel
Good stuff, Q! Sure hope I can make it your way for somma that!