The bite today was a little tough compared to weeks past. Two things I considered today. Last nights storm or the rapid rise in water temp. We didnt see the multiple arches on the Vexliar Edge 3 like in weeks past.
We started out fishing the two mile gravel and did not mark fish like I wanted to. The Vexilar Edge3 color sonar will show perch and baitfish as black targets and walleyes will show as red/yellow targets. The walleyes were scattered today and you really needed to work your area for the bites.
Fishing with me today was Craig from Osseo Mn. He quickly learned how more prodcutive three-ways are v.s bottom bouncers. Using hammered silver and gold colorado blades, we were able to cover lots of water and connect with negitive fish.
Most of the fish we saw on the Edge3 were tight to the bottom, meaning not active. I could litterly see these fish and know they were not active. The Vexilar Edge3 clearly shows perch as black and walleye as red/yellow and walleye laying on bottom. Ive used just about every locator on the market over the last 15 years and the Vexilar Edge3 really has the advantage. Weather it was the front that came through or the warm water temps, only time will tell. The slot fish that we did keep had empty stomachs. I’m leaning more towards last nights thunder that made an impact on todays fishing. Althought we did find a nice school of active fish on a hump one mile out from Big Point, the two boats that came and crowed us made me think the bite was off. But the bugs that hatch from the lake bottom arent the only flies on the lake..(hint)(hint)
Derek – You mentioned 3 ways being more productive than bottom bouncers. Can you briefly tell us why ? Thanks….and also thanks for your reports.
Like I have said in the past, when you drop a BB to the bottom, its hard to tell if the weight or the end of the wire is touching bottom. I was killing the fish today on my three-way when Craig was twisted with 40 feet of line out trying to touch bottom. Then when I hooked the 27 inch fish shown in photo one, his BB was wrapped around my three-way.
The he says ” I need a new rig, a three-way rig, where do you get the weights from?”
I use 3 ways exclusively at Mille Lacs for pulling spinners. I know a lot of other guys who pull nothing but wire. I think it is what your confidence level is. I agree with Derek, the 3 way is my favorite. I went with the Garmin 250 C this year for just what Derek is talking about. Different densities of fish show up as different colors. Small perch and minnows on the Garmin show up as blue and green, where the walleye and bigger fish show up as bright red. It really takes the guess work out of it!
Nice fish D!
Tuck
Nice informative report DJ! I’m sure looking forward to fishing with you and checking out those electronics!
Some day I just HAVE TO get out on the BIG POND with ya!
Derek,
I have found that sometimes when a front moves through or you have neutural to negative fish holding tight to the bottom that rigging or even bobber fishing can be very productive. However, we need to be a little more patient and your leeches need to be very lively. If you’re using crawlers try a shot of air or a little float… Nice report D 
Did you try riggin those fish that were tight to the bottom?
Can you give us an idea of how long of droppers and leaders you are using on your three-way rigs, and what kind of weights for various depths? Also, what are your typical range of speeds when trolling spinners on three-ways. I usually only use three-ways on the river, but this sounds like a great idea for trolling spinners on steep breaks. Thanks in advance for any advice you’re willing to share.
“500”. We did not try rigging. Our game plan was to cover lots of water since the fish seemed so scattered. The fish that did bite on spinners really wacked our crawlers hard.
Hunter88. Dropper is about 18- 24 inches long. Spinner leader is 8 foot. This will allow your spinner to run at a foot above bottom. Speed is 1.5 when using a deep cup colorado blade. Weight size I use is a 2oz bell sinker.
Great report and thanks for the extra details Derek. When you’re using that heavy bell, do you try to keep the weight just off bottom to avoid kicking up a big cloud of debris, or do you just find bottom and let ‘er rip?
I get the boat moving and slowly decend until it hits bottom. Then crank the reel two or three times and hold it..
Thanks for the info. I’ll have to give it a try.
Nice report Derek,
You’re a wealth of information
dave
those are some nice fish
Nice report and pics Derek.
and WAY to wack those fish. good tips on the 3-ways.
Jack..