Report from Red Lake this year

[shakey legs 2]

I have made 6 trips to the big pond so far this year.? We have been going out of Hillmans except for one morning on Sunny Beach.? We will probably shift to the south for the remainder of the season.? The 6 trips have produced 3, 6, 16, 9, 60 and 4 crappies.? Not like it was 5-6 years ago but still fun.? Things I have learned over the years.? Dirty water during the day, then clearer water close by at night.? Look for structure (ice heaves, pressure ridges, etc.)? If the fish are biting anything works, if not you have to be more selective and try to entice them with a jigging motion followed by a slow raise to get them to follow.? Sometimes small minnows (female fatheads) work best and sometimes the bigger ones work better - there is no rhyme or reason.? People in a hard house can be getting next to nothing and someone with their back leaning up against the house on the outside can fill out.? Spreading out was good when the schools were numerous and large but now it seems you have to be on the spot on the spot which sometimes leads to crowding conditions and people's tempers being raised.? 8" holes makes it tougher for a crappies to flip around and escape if it comes off the hook.? There is always a day bite somewhere if you can find it.? Being mobile is the key but pretty difficult when there is a lot of snow.? People on the lake are the salt of the earth and willing to help out when you have an emergency.? When the bite is on, line size, jig size and color and bait size? makes no difference.? Study the body language of the lake and where houses had been set up to see where the bite is shifting.? There is a West to East movement of Fish but also at times a north to south movement.? Weather fronts don't seem to make a difference.? I have had both good and poor luck during a coldfront and the same during stable weather.? Sometimes you just have to accept the wheel of destiny if you can't be mobile.? The triangle will get you sooner or later.? Remember that catching fish is secondary to having fun.? treat others like you would want to be treated.

[Spinach]

I just saw this thread and read it again, I couldn't agree more with your philosophy on Red Lake.

You still around Shakey?

[shakey legs 2]

Hi Spinach,

Yes, I am still around but things have been so hectic at work lately that I haven't had a lot of time to cruise the forums.  I want you to know that the auger works great!  I am just disappointed that I only got to use one time after I bought it from you but I did put it to good use and drilled a lot of holes on Red the last week I was up with Doc. 

I will be fishing in the metro area for the first time on the opener after 20 straight years on Leech.  Have to let the sharpshooters take care of the cormmorants and let the walleye fry grow up.  I would love to be up on Red, not to fish, but just watch the fun at the landings.  It would be the best entertainment to sit on a lawn chair with a cooler of cold ones and watch the fun begin.

Take care and maybe I will see you up on Red or elsewhere sometime.

[GRIZ]

 Hey Shakey

 Don't take any offense to this as I tend to agree with you but reading this reminded me of a weatherman. That is how fishing goes though. See ya around.

[shakey legs 2]

Griz,

You are right - maybe I missed my calling.  It seems the longer that I do this thing (fishing & hunting) there seems to be exceptions to the rule.  Back to the weatherman thing - I think it would be a great gig.  Can you imagine being right 50% of the time and still have a job? Ha! Ha!  No offense intended for any weatherpersons out there.