With variations in trolling methods and help from some friends-the night bite was pleasing.
For you anglers headed up this week the bite looks to be headed in the right direction. First off I would like to thank Woody for his information. We had a good chat on the phone I was was headed up and Woody was more than happy to share any and all information he had. Shortly after getting the boat in the water Jason gave me a call and filled me in on how the bite had been. Jason thanks for keying me in on your hot baits. Don’t be afraid to ask staffers and members, they all will be more than happy to help you out.
Talking to a few others that had been out fishing and as Jason stated in his report-things were a little on the slow side. We got out a couple of hours before dark the first day and ended up with a couple of perch and a smallie. We were trolling deeper water. Once the sun set it was time to move in shallower and get the eye bite started.
Our first eye of the night came off of a deeper weed pocket on leadcore. I noticed tiny perch in the area so I downsized my bait and got in down with lead. The rest of the fish all came from the inside weed edges.
To trigger bites here are a fews things I did that may help you put more fish in the boat. Number one is to pump the rod. I would say 70% of our fish came on the drop back. The method that worked for me was to slowly pull the rod forward, hold it for three seconds and drop it halfway back. Pause and then pull it forward and hold for three seconds again. Then drop it all the way back and repeat. When the rods are in the holder I would turbo troll. As I would straighten out after an S turn, I would ramp up my speed to 3.5 mph and hold it for 3 seconds. next I would kick the motor out of gear and coast down to hardly moving.I would let the boat sit, almost still for three seconds and then go into another S turn and repeat. Next it seemed like we could not get one bait to stay hot, so don’t be afraid to change up often.
try some leadcore, change baits often and do some turbo trolling. Hopefully it will put a few more fish in the boat. Good luck and be safe out there.
Nice report Don
Nice fish Don! Good to see you on Sunday night, and glad I could help out a little.
Thanks for the nice report, Don. This weekend looks a lot more promising than last weekend. I really appreciate reports from folks who can get up during the week so i have some ideas when I join the crowds on Fri & Sat.
Did we fish together one night on Mille Lacs a few years ago?
Nice to see you find some nice fish Don! Thanks for the details and tips in your report! Might have to try a fw of those!