The open basin trolling bite is getting tougher out there and finding schools of suspended walleyes are becoming more of a challenge. I spent two days over the holiday weekend on the water and must admit for the first time in a long time, my boat struggled to catch fish. One good thing is was that the weather cooperated and it was really nice with light winds on both days. However, it was almost too flat out there and I think that had something to do with the lack of fish activity.
We threw everything we had at them (Deep Tail Dancers, Deep Thundersticks, Shake–E Blades tipped with gulp crawlers, #9 Shad Raps/snap weights, Reef Runners and Flicker Shads…) utilizing planer boards, leadcore, jet divers, long lining and it really didn’t seem to matter and we had a difficult time finding a pattern. The baitfish and sign on the sonar was also very sparse. We kept at it and caught some good sized walleyes up to 27 inches but certainly not what we experienced in the month of June.
Our weekend trip was also cut short due to the fact I my engine light came on in my truck and I noticed I did not have any oil pressure. Not a good thing when you are towing around your boat. We ended up going home early to make sure we didn’t break down up there.
Recently I received a post from another member inquiring about what type of fishing net I using out there trolling in the open basin. After I read the message, I kind of smiled to myself and realized that I have not purchased a new net in over 7 years because the one I have is still like new. I use a Beckman net and absolutely love it. It has a detachable slide handle that extends out which is extremely important when you are using long trolling rods. It makes it so much easier to net a fish when you can reach out to the rod tip. It also comes with a treated knotless bag which helps keep tangles to a manageable level. This net has been put through a lot of abuse and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s held up.
Due to the slow bite, I also got a chance to reflect on a lot of different things and one of them included this site. I remember when I first heard about this site from fellow IDO Staffer Steve DeZurik. Steve and I were friends and had fished together for years and had many, many memorable trips including Rainy River, Lake Erie, Rainy Lake, Mississippi River, Lake Pepin, Lake Minaki, and of course Mille Lacs Lake. Steve kept on telling me I should check it out and sign on as a member. I slowly gravitated over to the site and realized that there was a lot of good information. However, I did not sign on as a member and was a lurker to the site for over a year. Yes, that’s right – for over a year I read many posts and reports but never signed up as a member. 
I guess the main reason why, is that I didn’t know if I wanted to be associated with a group of people that I really didn’t know or more importantly could trust. I know that may sound kind of silly, but that was my thinking at the time. However, the more I read on this site, the more I realized that people on this site actually cared more about people than catching fish. To me that’s what it’s all about and that’s the reason I finally became a member back in 2005.
Since then, my participation on the site dramatically increased and that’s when I really started to learn more about not only how to catch fish and hunt game, but also about every imaginable topic out there! I don’t recall the last time when someone asked a question on this site and there was not a valid educational response from another member. Someone here is always willing to help out.
However, what keeps me coming back to this site is the people itself. I’ve met so many good friends here at IDO that I can’t imagine what my life would be like if this site never existed. Of course I had many friends before IDO but unfortunately many of them drifted in and out of my life because we don’t share the same passions. That’s the difference here – the passion we share about fishing and hunting keeps us together.
IDO is now a big part of my life and I truly enjoy waking up in the morning and reading educational reports and posts that help me be a better person. I’m also grateful that I get to share my experiences on the water and in the field. Over the last three years, it would be hard for me to imagine how many times I have laughed out loud while reading this site. I also have shed a few tears. This site is made up of real people that share their real life experiences and what can be better than that?
I’m really looking forward to the IDO Summer Get Together on August 1st and 2nd being held at Hunter’s Point Resort on Lake Mille Lacs. Check out the General Discussion Forum for more information. It will be great to put some faces to the names and of course meet some new friends! It will definitely be a good time! 
I guess the point I’m trying to make here is if you are reading this report and are still a guest, I highly encourage you to sign up as a member. If you have any reservations or concerns, feel free to email me directly at [email protected] and I would be happy to answer your questions. Don’t be like me and lurk this site for over a year. Sign on as a member and be a participant. I have a lot too learn and need your help! And of course, a guy can never have enough friends.
Good luck out there fishing and I hope to see ya on the water! 
A few more pictures…
Great post as always
Great report and pics. Really loveto see arcs like that!
Too bad about the slow bite Brad.That just tells me that even the best can have tough days.
For a guy who lurked for a year you certainly have made up for lost time. I always look forward to your reports, very informative and always up beat……GREAT JOB BRAD
Great post Brad!
I finally got you over to the good side!
Glad to have you here Brad! You are a great asset to the site.
Great read and pictures Brad
Nice report Brad!
Good read. Nice to know a little about your back ground and how you ended up here with us at IDO.
You the man Brad another good read .
Thanks for the great report! Great read.
Great Report Brad, and super looking Walleyes !!!
Jack.
I get pumped up from reading your reports, great job!
Great report Brad. It is good to have you on this site.
Nice report Brad, I’ve been wondering how you did. I finally got my trolling gear together and gave it a try but I’m still looking for my first fish on the plugs. I trolled maybe a total of 8 hours spread over 3 or 4 times out and I think I was doing most things right (like I learned from you) but nothing happened. Oh well, there’s always next time.
Gary
Great report as always Brad! This is a great site. I remember when I made the post asking for fish fillets for my dad. My buddies thought I was nuts to let someone I met online go over to their house. As you know, it all worked out. Hope to meet you soon.
DT
Great post Brad as always. I see you’ve now hooked my Dad (GT) from the post above. You got me and GT to join IDO and it has been a great experience.
Also, I’m late posting from your last report, but it was great to have you and Tina stop in at our place. We look forward to your future visits and time on the water. We are close with the webcam but my Dad and I want to have it good and squared away prior to letting it into the wild. We’ll let everyone know when it is ready.
So I have a really technical question regarding your posts this year, actually not so technical. I’ve noticed a subtle change to your pictures this year. Years prior all of your pictures of the fish were vertical with one hand holding the fish, I know from experience in your boat that you prefered this display technique for pictures. This year most of your photos have been horizontal with two hands under the fish. I know, a strange thing to notice, but just wondering if this is a contious move on your part and why.
Talk to you soon.
BT
Even though I do like taking pictures with the fish hanging vertically with one hand, I believe this may put more strain on them versus holding them with two hands. It also helps control the fish and prevents a bad situation of dropping it in the boat or injuring a gill. So I made a conscious decision this year to make the small adjustment. Again… it’s all about the fish!
Really looking forward to the webcam.
It will be great to get that view from the SE part of the lake!
Initially, make sure you spend just as much time scouting for fish and baitfish on your sonar as you do fishing. Try to think of it as eliminating stretches of water. Be persistent and you will find them. Once you do, then figure out the puzzle – type of crank, color, depth, speed etc… It also helps to be stubborn like me.
It was an absolute pleasure and meant as much to me and it did to him.
Someday I may need the same thing.
Thanks alot Brad
I really like reading your reports
because you not only talk about the hot bite 
You also talk about what makes fishing even more fun
and that making new friends and great memories 
I’d have to say that when I joined I just hung out and didn’t really participate
Ever since last summer I got really heavy into posting and I’ve met some great people by coming out of the shadows
Nice seeing you out on the water Brad, we had a tough day of it too out trolling. We only put 2 in the boat from 7:30-12:30. Keep up the good work and thanks for all of informational posts.
Tony
I agree with your new position on holding fish. Especially bigger fish, they are not meant to be out of water and holding them only by the mouth or gills is hard on them. It really gets to me when I see a guy tring to hold a big fish horizontally when lipping the fish.
Brad, Very glad you did join. Thank you for the honest reports and insightful tips. Good luck out there.