Calling all Hardwater Boys!! WOW!! What an unbelievable season for Trophy fish on the Mighty Rainy!! Whether you targeted Pike, Eyes, or Panfish customer PB’s were in abundance. With this likely being the Last report of the ice fishing season from the Daze Camp I would like to give a big “shout out” to all of our customers this season dropping the hammer on BIG FISH. Without you we’d have to find real jobs!! Yikes!!! Enough of those ridiculous thoughts!! Thanks for giving us a reason to chase the biggest and baddest day in and day out!! We look forward to boarding you on the Daze “Fish Casket” very very soon!!
In the past couple weeks we’ve focused energies on “SUPER FREAK” panfish along with some pike and walleyes. Our ice has taken a pretty good beatdown, but as of today you can still access some great fishing with use of caution. Here is a “In Depth” look at what has turned fish for the Daze Team as of late. DRILL HOLES DRILL HOLES AND THEN…….DRILL HOLES!! We found fish forming tighter schools. Tighter schools is a double edged sword; Great if your on them, Bad if your not. We came to the conclusion the fish were schooling up tighter, because when the right fish were found they were stacked 8-10 deep vs. previous 3-4. Plus the schools often covered 2-4 holes drilled 15 feet apart. YEP THAT IS A BIG SCHOOL!! SO GET DOWN!! Like always they seemed to be shying away from the crowds. For those that camped out on previous watering holes fish of course were scarce. When fish were found they were educated or small. Making small moves and drilling lots of holes enabled us to get back on top of the HUGE SLABS!! We found late in the season the crappies seemed a bit wiser than earlier. This made it vital to bring your A game when working these big girls. Proper presentation of your bait was essential to get bit by big fish. Year end hardwater totals from January 1st-present has the Daze Team landing 38 walleyes over 26 inches in length, and 17 crappies over 15 inches in length. 4 crappies 16 inches and over!! Have I mentioned I am a bit fired up for this years spawn!! YIKES!! My personal Favorite time to fish Crappies!! HANDS DOWN!!
Remember this time of year SPAWNING can be used to determine the whereabouts of the fish your targeting. Pike and walleyes will lead the charge to discharge, and the crappies will be in soon after. Males will enter spawning grounds first most often with the big females to follow. Females will do the deal and move out. Males hang out and bump knuckles with other males. Not Really…But you smell what I’m steppin in. You get a small window to pin females in around spawning grounds. You get a much larger opportunity to target the big fish in the weeks leading up to the spawn or on the way out of spawning grounds. Since the past couple weeks information is not going to be all that useful I figure I’ll play connect the dots on what is happening with these fish for the next couple weeks. Pike will target warmest mud bottom bays. Eyes will head to small rock rubble to drop eggs in (Typically with water flowage) Crappies will hover in deeper water easing closer to spawning grounds. Not uncommon to find Papermouths for short periods of time in shallow water far before spawning simply chasing baitfish, so don’t freak out!! They won’t be spawning yet!!! All these fish are predictable… Mother nature on the otherhand….She holds the cards boys!! You just play what your dealt!! DEAL ME IN!!
I am fired up for yet another fantastic open water season here on the border!! As always we will focus our energies week in and week out on the big and dumb. Walleyes, Pike, Crappies and Smallmouth will get lots of attention. We’ll start by focusing on the Big Pike as our pike are open continuously here on Rainy Lake. I HIGHLY encourage PROPER catch and release of the Trophy fish we will tangle with in the coming weeks. PLEASE use common sense here boys!! Expect to land trophy fish, and be prepared for Quick and efficient Catch, Photo and release. Take necessary time to assure this trophy is recovered before letting her go!! Trips open for Monster Pike, May eyes and Spawning Super Freak Slabs!! Look forward to fishing with you!!
Tight Lines Team!!
I think these fish are even smiling for IDO!! SMILE YOUR ON IDO!!
No doubt about it, Rainy is on my bucket list.
Opportunities to catch both big walleyes & crappies like those, all on one ice fishing adventure are rare indeed. Some day….