What a night last night. Besides having one of my best nights on the pond in regards to fish, I did it sharing my boat with the man who taught me how to fish and how take life head on. Last night I shared the boat with my Dad and my brother Rich. What a night it was, watching my Dad catch his personal best Walleye. A few years back, he was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. At the time it hit me like a brick, realizing that my Dad was not SUPERMAN, like I thought all these years. He went through a few remissions and one time I never went to visit him in the hospital, due to “being to busy at work”. After that happened, I knew I had to re prioritize what is important to me. FAMILY with out a question is the most important thing in my life. Well let’s just say I do not work at that job any more and I’m spending a lot more time with my family. 
I have spent some nice evenings sitting in deer stand or blind with my Dad, but have not been out fishing with him all that much. Mainly cause he can’t stand the heat, that well. So, I knew I had to get him out for this fantastic Fall bite on Mille Lacs when the sun or heat is a non issue. 
Last night was the night and what a night it was. Here is a picture of my Dad with his personal best 27.5” Walleye. 
The night started less than 5 minutes into our first run, when my dad boated a 23” er. Believe it or not the weather man was wrong again on the wind speed last night. 
But still not bad and it was tolerable, unlike some other nights the last 2 weeks when he has been wrong. The fish bit consistently all night long and we did not have many times where we had to wait or had lull in the action. We got on the water about 7:15 and had fast consistent action, until 11:30 where then it went crazy. The big fish really started to show up in numbers. It was a chore to get all 3 baits out, with out someone yelling “FISH ON”. . We ended up fishing until just before 1:30 and kept a limit of 15-22” fish for a family fish fry this week. All in all we ended up with around 35 fish, give or take a couple, with just over a dozen falling into that 24-27.5” mark and 3 of those 27” or better. 
With 1:30 looming and being that work thing was fast approaching , we had to get off the lake and head home, but the bite was still on fire. 
We went a whole night with no rough fish last night, I was a little surprised that no toothie tried to claim our cranks or no smallie wanted to tussle. 
We worked a rock structure from depths of 6 feet out into 10 feet of water, looking for those little humps that held fish. Well, we found them and the bite increased in intensity through the night. The three hot lures seemed to be Clown & Firetiger in the Husky Jerk 12’s and Lazer Craw in the Super Rogue. Although the clown did not seem to produce any “bigger” fish and the Lazer craw did not seem to produce any fish below 23”. We only tried one other lure and that did not seem to produce anything. Speeds were around 1.3 to 1.6 mph. We worked a wind blown rock break that has been pretty good to me all year. Again the inside turn seemed to produce the most fish, with pumping of the rod did not seem to do anything. The water temps were still hanging in around 50 degrees last night. This being the case, if we do not see any major cold fronts go through. I would suspect this bite to be incredible until the water temps dip below the mid 40’s. So there is plenty of time left if you are not looking to get into the woods. I would suggest hitting the pond and getting hooked into a few “BIG GIRLS”. I have had a absolute blast on the pond this year and have met a ton of IDA’ers on the water and shared a boat with a few more. Thanks for such a great year and I’m already pumped for next year. 
Well with the rut looming around the corner, a four day long trip planned to ND for bow hunting monster whitetails, the gun season just around the corner, this may be my last open water report on Mille Lacs. I hope not, but perhaps it could be. I’m just glad I was able to share it with my Dad and make some memories that I know I will never forget. 
Like Tuck said in his report, we need to take time in this fast paced crazy world and remember what is important to us. You never know when that someone special in your life may not be there any more. Let them know what they mean to you. My Dad has taught me a lot of things in life. But taking care of his family is the one thing that has always been top priority in his life. Even, if it means huge sacrifices for himself. Thanks for everything you have done for me Dad!
*CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE*
More pics
Another
A pic that Mike W. took the other night. SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!from Gary’s secret spot
A pleasure as always Mike!
Nice Work, Ripper!!! I’m hoping to get out one more time…some how, some way.
Great report Rob…..I can’t think of a better way to spend an evening
Great report!!!!!!!!
And yep………..HUSH is the word on that “secret spot”!!!!!!!
is it really a secret ? didn’t think that there were any of them left in mille lacs. my guess, vineland. anyways lip ripper, we need to get going on the “big boys” as we haven’t scored on the deer yet.
g
Nice Job,
Thursday night for me, see what I can get into.
It isn’t really a secret spot……..It is more of a spot on a spot, on a spot……
They are basically all over any structure on the pond. Take an inside turn, a point, a hump, all of which are very subtle on a large piece of structure and that will generally hold fish.
Sometimes, there is landmarkers that assist in locating these spots, such as a “lighted stairwell”, a dock, a “SIGN”, a rock, etc.
The 1′ contour maps of mille lacs will show you these spots on a spot, but you have to really look for the ones that “should” hold fish.
The spot that Rob was talking about is a “picture perfect” walleye and muskie hangout. It is along a break, which the spot is a hump. About a 1.5′ hump. The hump also shoots out into the deeper water about 10′. With this hump and the point, it gives you two “inside” turns, with the hump, it holds fish. So much to the point that when you pass over the spot and you don’t hook a fish, it makes you wonder why……
So your homework and find these types of spots and you will be rewarded well!!!!!
Great Report!! I got to get up there soon.
Hey Lil Ripper! Nice to see you can still live up to your name!!!!
Fishing with you this fall I have gotten to know how your dads health hit you hard last year! I am so happy that you got to share this special “big girlz” hunting with your dad and bro! 
I cannot think of a better way to top off an evening of fish that hammerin 
the big ens with your family!!!
Good job!!
Great Report Ripper, This fall has been fantastic on the East side rocks as well. This report made me think about the times that I had with my Dad out on the water. He is gone now but I have his picture with his personal best 27″ walleye that I netted for him as we were trolling rapalas in the fall. I keep it in a frame at the cabin. Keep those priorities straight, family is everything…….man I miss my Dad.
G, you better hurry! The fish are going to quit biting in November!
T-Zone starts tomorrow in Sconnie!
Sounds like Myr Mar to me
G, I leave on friday for a 4 day Slug Fest with some ND brusiers. I’m eyeing up a buck up there, that would give us a score of 30 buck = 10 = 20 points = 20 that equals 30
)with one deer 
! Next week with rifle, I should have my other 10 points with 2 does. Gut-Pile and I are going to hit late season hard and hope to do some videoing. 
Thanks guys, I have had some great days and nights on the pond with a few of you guys here @ IDA, but this one will always stick in my head as being my favortie for obvious reasons. That is also what I’m going to do. Going tonight to get a picture, frame and it is going up on the “Mantle of Fame” with all of my other Outdoor Trophy Pics to be cherished every day.
Ripper, good luck in ND. I will be hitting the woods hard after this weekend. Bow every weekend, slug in November, a little rifle in November, and then Muzzle loader and bow again in December.
G
Thanks for the report ripper…Good luck hunting.
Thats more for me…
LOL
Great report Rob,
Family means alot to me as you know, but sometimes we forget the important things in our lives.
Ron
Great report buddy!!! I wish my family was closer so I could enjoy moments like this. Don’t ever take it for granted!!
WOW, nice fish
A pic. from a night out with Tuck! This was a one of the many we pulled off of his favorite spot that went 24-27.25″! Thanks again Tuck
His smile says it all doesn’t it 
A double with my Buddy Chris who first experienced this crazed thing we call the Full Moon bite on Mille Lacs, this year. These fish came from a trip with Mr. Holst. Our second double in about 10 minutes of actual fishing. Are other double (28″ & a 25.5″) was within the first 2 minutes of fishing. Let’s just say we caught a ton of big fish that night. Thanks for another great night James.
You are still considered a PO-DUNK guide in my books 
My biggest with Mr. Holst that night
Tuck with another
My buddy Curt with a nice once compliments to Mr. Holst.!
The “OLD Curt” really likes them “BIG GIRLS” 
Chris with a nice “FAT GIRL”.
a fish caught from a In-Depth Angling Guide Servce trip!
I like to call this Picture “OLD SCHOOL”
Notice the beauty hat, I pulled out
Hey some nie fish hope you guys catch some more like that!!!!!!!
ME TOO
