|
|
| How are people doing on Tonka. |
|
| |
|
| I have personally only been out on Tonka once so far this year and caught a little 18". The homepage has Spencer's picture splashed across it with he and a client holding a 51" and stating it was the second 51" in the boat in the last three days. He fishes Tonka in case you were wondering what is the secret Metro lake. As is the case with Tonka with so many Bulldawgs and cowgirls flying from Ranger boat decks a few giants are bound to be boated. |
|
| |
|
| If you look behind Spencer you'll see a launch boat from Eddy's on Mille Lacs..... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 572
Location: Maplewood, MN | i was wondering the same thing about that boat in the background |
|
| |
|
Posts: 633
Location: Bloomington, MN | That's a Lyman, a Chris Craft, or a Skiff Craft. It is not Mille Lacs or Waconia. Here's a better photo.
http://www.spencersanglingadv.com/follow.php
Edited by Clark A 6/22/2010 3:59 PM
|
|
| |
|
Location: Twin Cities | How about a public service announcement.
To the boat fishing 3 guys in wayzata bay very close to the high traffic area at the mouth of the bay: TURN YOUR F%$)(*KING LIGHTS ON AT NIGHT. Don't sit there fishing with them off and then flash boats that are driving into the bay when they get close to you. You do realize that boats coming in from the main lake can't see you because of the back lighting of the city of Wayzata? The fish don't care and a few bug bites are better than being dead. Get a fricken clue. |
|
| |
|
| Trailing comments on the public service announcement....
If you have replaced your stern light with a light that belongs on a 12ft aluminum boat because you don't like the OEM light in your eyes, don't stand in front of it when a boat is approaching. If you have a tube sock over your light because you don't like it so bright, keep in mind that there's a ton of residential and city lights on every inch of the shoreline. When you approach a boat with the sock on the light it is very very difficult to differentiate it from any other light on shore until its almost too late. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 118
Location: Minnesota | JRedig, we saw this on Tonka last Saturday night and on Waconia last night. I personally would not want to put my fishing partner or myself in the way of those looped up clowns pushing the 4 foot wake on Tonka. Crap half the time the bow of their boat is so high they can't even see over it. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| there are so many clowns on this lake it is a complete circus including boats /w no lights, all kinds of cowbell casters w/ no tools or nets, casting off the bow of a big pleasure boat (how would you release a fish??) its a complete circus out there. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 540
Location: MN | Lol slow Rollin in the last week I've seen two boats with 2 guys each casting Cow girls on spinning tackle. What the hell are they going to do if they actuly hook one? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| oh, i know, not only will they cut the heck out of themselves. but that fish is dead. i dont go out there much but if i see them catch one i am busting over there to help w/ the release and release tools. i have never seen one catch a fish yet. its such a circus, to top it off, i caught a fish last fall that had a rusty double 10 wedged on the side of its mouth, we caught the fish, got the old rusty double 10 out of its face/mouth. it was a very skinny fish. might have been dying a slow death.
Edited by Slow Rollin 6/23/2010 2:53 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 101
Location: mn | Lights folks come on! I almost ran straight into a ranger last night. They hit the lights at the last second. I wouldn't even waste my time with your not so secret little hot spot. I did have fun running circles around you though. Next time I'm boarding! Please just keep those lights on so we can all keep safely fishing. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 101
Location: mn | Yet another public service announcement. No wake means no wake. If your a guide and you say you practice safety first on your web site you shouldn't be going over the speed limit in no wake zones with other boats present. Not bringing names up here but you have lowered yourself on the totem pole in our book for pulling a move like that.
|
|
| |
|
| Anyone know why the whole east side of tonka is a blue green color?
Maybe an algae bloom but why would it only effect the east side of the lake.
(normally the much cleaner side with less algae problems?? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | Jim - 7/12/2010 11:34 PM
Anyone know why the whole east side of tonka is a blue green color?
Maybe an algae bloom but why would it only effect the east side of the lake.
(normally the much cleaner side with less algae problems??
I was wondering the same thing. It's not just the east side, the area around crane/wawatosa (sp?) islands is like that too. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 215
Location: Twin Cities | Some are suspecting the rain run off, either way fishing blows out there for this guy. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | The Dogger - 7/13/2010 11:59 AM
either way fishing blows out there for this guy.
I'll second that! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| last 2 times out there including yesterday, nothing, not even a follow, WOW |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3156
| the TC chapter did their on the water meeting on tonka last nite with around 20 some people,,,I heard that maybe no one saw a fish or not many,,,
has a side note I also know a guy who spent 12hrs on French lake and didnt have a follow,,,things are slow on more then tonka |
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| i fished 3 other lakes in the past 4 days besides tonka and got 2 follows over the course of 4 days. OMG, pretty hard to do that bad. i didnt even get a pike. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 227
Location: Maple Grove | Partner and I put a 38 in the boat on Tonka right before moonset last night. Otherwise slow was the word too. Only fish we saw. Deep edge.
Joe Olstadt |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | I didn't see a thing last week. Going to try again tomorrow morning. I'm thinking the fish are probably suspended in +20 ft of water. Might be time to look for suspended schools of baitfish. Downsizing to something like Baby Depthraiders might be worth a try too.
It is almost always tough on Tonka in July though.
Edited by Herb_b 7/16/2010 9:57 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 175
Location: Tonka, MN | Still seeing fish, just not getting them to go. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 11
| Tonka has been way slow for me the past few weeks. The fish that I have seen all came from 20+ fow and were pretty lazy. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | Don't take this as anything more than a simple question... but what have the water temps been like? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 11
| Last Saturday it was 76 in most places. Spots of 78 here and there. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 540
Location: MN | Last night temps were 77.8-76.3 this morrning they were 75.9-77. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 432
Location: mpls | July is usually pretty rough on Tonka!
This year though we've managed to put some nice fish in the boat, including a 51" and a fat 52". Couple more pushing the magic mark as well.
We had to work hard for those fish! Think outside the box and there are still plenty of active fish ready to eat! If you know where the Golden shiners are- you'll catch fish;)
Still though-I can't wait until September!
Joe
Edited by uptown 7/25/2010 8:37 PM
|
|
| |
|
| been fishing tonka hard the week or so. had a couple get off on me and one shake off boatside. Where are the fish at!!? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 84
| Caught this 53 inch monster on Lake Minnetonka on Wednesday.
I could not believe how big the head was on this fish.
I only had her out of the water for about 20 seconds and she swam away strong.
Attachments
----------------
 53.jpg (77KB - 706 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 118
Location: Minnesota | Nice fish CMA, last time I was out there the water temp was getting a little too high for my liking. I guess that means more fish for the guys that don't mind the high water temps. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | That is a beautiful fish. Nice work catching one when times are tough!
W8N4SNO - 7/30/2010 8:08 AM
...more fish for the guys that don't mind the high water temps.
I'm not naysaying... I would have caught that fish if given the opportunity but, per the quoted post, It's not about the angler minding the high water temps... it's about the fish minding it. I think TC Muskies Inc. president Troy Zuelzke said it best in this month's issue of "On The Water":
"Too hot to stand in the sun, and water temps too warm for the
safe handling of a fish that just gave you a tough fight to release
him healthy."
Edited by Hammskie 7/30/2010 8:53 AM
|
|
| |
|
| You're not naysaying jsut saying. LOL
Nice fish CMA awesome!
By the way Hammskie what was the water temp late on Wednesday afternoon on Mille Lacs? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| i think most of us know that fish and have had a chance it, it doesnt look to often, but a home body most of the time. big head on it....nice job!!!! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3156
| DJS
Dont know about weds,,,but last sat- Lacs was 76 on west side and 75 on north |
|
| |
|
Posts: 118
Location: Minnesota | We've all seen that fish once or twice is a very true statement. I think I'll try for her again this fall.... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 131
| Nice fish! And nice job minimizing time out of the water too. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| W8N4SNO - 7/30/2010 12:49 PM
We've all seen that fish once or twice is a very true statement. I think I'll try for her again this fall....
ha ha, i will try for it again in the fall too, it doesnt like to open its mouth often, but its a big mouth. maybe it will slide up just a little further down the edge, it wont wander too far though!!
Edited by Slow Rollin 7/30/2010 1:15 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Guys, I haven't been out on Tonka for a couple of yrs. and want to check it out .... What are the best launch's to use, near some likely muskie haunts ? LOL !
Come on,... cut loose with some info.
Jerome |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3504
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Gray's bay public access would be a great place to put in. Take Minnetonka blvd west from 494 where it is northbound. Turn right onto 101...can't miss it. It is on your right side.
Steve
Edited by VMS 7/30/2010 11:14 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 84
| Thanks for the nice comments.
I hope someone else can have the thrill of catching this fish.
CMA
Edited by cma 7/30/2010 11:40 PM
|
|
| |
|
Location: Twin Cities | Wow, huge fish. She ate a pounder twice for me last fall and never got hooks if i'm recognizing the spot. Nice job! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | You guys ever think that there might be other big fish in that 14,000 acre lake ? and that they stay in the same area yr. after yr. ?
Oh, does that big girl have a name too ?
Jerome |
|
| |
|
Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | Don't waste casting time at Gray's... put in at North Arm or Maxwell.
Edited by Hammskie 8/3/2010 11:25 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 654
Location: MPLS, MN | What are the water temps on Tonka? Have not been there since mid June. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 118
Location: Minnesota | Hammskie, you're on to something with those accesses.....lol
JRedig, she tore the crap out of a mag on me last fall too, I did manage to get her to the boat though. fishing by yourself sucks at times....... |
|
| |
|
Location: Twin Cities | Her name isn't Gale, that's for sure. And Jerome, i had 6 or 8 outings over 3 weeks where she'd appear for a certain lure on the first cast to the spot. It was like clockwork. I have some friends who were able to do the same thing. You decide?
Edited by JRedig 8/2/2010 11:16 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Gale.... What kind of name is that ? wouldn't Opra ,or Rosey be more suited?
Well she definitely sounds like the typical female........ Can't make up her mind..... and a huge Tease,.... How many hearts has she broken over the last few yrs. ? Bwaaa,haa,haha.........
Cma nailed her ! Good for you.
Hammskie,,,, you wouldn't be leading me astray would you ?
Jerome |
|
| |
|
Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | Top H2O - 8/2/2010 11:40 AM
Hammskie,,,, you wouldn't be leading me astray would you?
Yes... away from my preciouses... haha! Gimme a call before you drag your boat up.
Edited by Hammskie 8/3/2010 8:52 AM
|
|
| |
|
| That is not Gale Island in the background...I caught a 52 pretty close to that spot last year and it was not the same fish...totally different markings. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I saw three muskies under the docks at Maynards. they were called 'go away' by Kolo. A low 40's stole one of his gills, or his count would have been 2161.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 718
| Really good looking fish, congrats |
|
| |
|
Location: Twin Cities | Hammskie - 8/2/2010 2:36 PM
Well, Mr. Morris... I can see Gale Island in the background of that photo, so I figured that was her. 
Gale does not have that kind of thick vegetation that close to the ground, keep guessing! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | JRedig you so crazy.
In an attempt to make a "Lake Minnetonka Report"... Ted and I caught a 40 and a 46 yesterday at sunset. Both fish were healthy releases despite water temps hovering around 82. The fish came off shallow weeds on surface lures.
Edited by Hammskie 8/4/2010 9:35 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 654
Location: MPLS, MN | Anyone know the current water temps? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | Hammskie - 8/3/2010 8:57 AM
...despite water temps hovering around 82.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| yeah, we all trouble if people are still trying to catch fish in 82 degree water. the good thing is that there is not a whole lot of catching going on, so hopefully wont affect the lakes too much. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 101
Location: mn | Warm water blues here. Lots of burning gas to hit 76 77 degree water temps.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 718
| 85=6 in the smaller bays yesterday, 84-5 on the main lake
HOT |
|
| |
|
Posts: 43
| Whoo Thats hot! Might need to wait till september to get back out there! |
|
| |
|
| 78-9 in the am this weekend. Just need a couple of cool nights and maybe this rain won't hurt either. |
|
| |
|
| So to anyone that is actually catching fish....there any good colors or just a matter of luck?? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 718
| I have been mostly wearing bright colors, it helps me stick out in the crowd at Fletchers so my friends can find me easier. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 175
Location: Tonka, MN | Haha, great repsonse! |
|
| |
|
Location: MN | Bob, I thought that was you at Fletchers. You were wearing the matching fluorescent pink outfit yelling "haaaay" at your buddies. |
|
| |
|
Location: MN | Went out this morning to do some homework. When I left at 9:00am, the water temp at Grays Bay was 81 degrees. Still hot, more homework outing for me unless temps cool off. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 227
Location: Maple Grove | Thanks for the report. Can you provide temps from other areas too? I thought about doing the same thing this morning but chose to sleep in instead.
Joe Olstadt |
|
| |
|
Posts: 175
Location: Tonka, MN | Surface temps down to 78 yesterday throughout the west end |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | I got out Saturday morning for a few hours and had some fish going. I caught a 42 on my third cast at 5:30 am and lost a slightly larger fish ten minutes later. I had a couple of others follow before 7:00 am and then not to much.
With the heat and all, I thought it best to land the fish quickly, keep her in the water the whole time, and turn her loose right away. She gave me a nice shower in the face when she took off so I expect she will be OK.
The funny thing is I just spent an entire week on Vermillion and didn't catch a Muskie. I throw three casts on Minnetonka, catch a Muskie and then almost double in the first ten minutes. What is wrong with this picture? Drive four and half hours and nothing. Drive ten minutes and catch a Muskie. Ok.
Seems I need to fish closer to home where I actually know the lakes...
Edited by Herb_b 8/16/2010 12:47 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 64
| wow! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Yeah, I'm not sure if I'm just my best on Minnetonka and stink on Vermillion or what. I imagine that most people do their best on their favorite lake though. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 162
Location: Metro, MN | haha yeah i fished hard on winnie for an entire week and only saw one small muskie. Put the boat in Cass on the way home, which is my best most knowledgable lake and raised 10 nice fish and boated a 43 in 5 hours of fishing. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 18
| temps this morning were 74 to 76 on the east end. boated a 42 and had some nice action around moon set. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | Temps 75-76 yesterday afternoon, pretty even everywhere, no fish spotted. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 18
| Out this morning with neighbor and he landed a nice 49.5", he started fishing last summer and now has a 49.5 and 50.5. To say the least he is hooked!
Attachments
----------------
greg's 49.5.JPG (69KB - 209 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
| thats pretty cool. always feels good to catch your biggest fish. But come on guys has anyone else noticed the increased pressure on tonka?? If you wanna report water temps thats cool but this site is not to let everyone know that giants r being boated. if you keep a secret to yourself once you may catch a few more fish. Notice how someone asked about the alexandria area and no one opened their mouth??? Let people put their own time in on the water... dont do it for them!! Our fisheries would be 50 times better than they are without the internet. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 43
| I disagree completely. Not everyone can get out all the time i get out 2 or 3 times a weeks so I do ok but some people cant get out but once every couple weeks and it really helps to know temps and if things are working or not. The lake is huge there are plenty of spots the whole shoreline around the whole lake is good if someone catches a monster in a spot yes boats will be there but go to the next spot learn a new place and go there later. You will be surprised at all the good places to fish. And this is a muskie site most of the people on the sight respect the muskie and will get it back in good condition so the fish will be there when you go next time. They arent your fish and your spots anyone can go there and if you are putting fish in the boat or look like you know what you are doing atleast people will follow you and see where you are fishing anyways. Its also really fun seeing the fish and the pictures and it keeps people coming out on the lake and if you want the sport to keep strong and become stronger i think the thread helps. And if you dont want the sport to grow I think that is selfish. I share all my spots and still catch some fish on those spots. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 43
| Very nice fish by the way! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Hiya Figure, how's things at Gander Mountain?
Information will be offered and has been forever, one way or another.
I always get a kick out of regulars on an internet website telling others not to offer information on the same website.
I very much agree with dhost 21.
'Your' fisheries would have many more problems than they do now without the Internet.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 84
| Very nice fish. Congratulations. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Put me down as one of the guys who only gets out once every couple of weeks. I don't need any information here on this site to catch fish, but it is always encouraging to hear when others are doing well.
I have been only out a few times on Minnetonka in the past six weeks, but have done very well every time. I am averaging one Muskie about every 2 hours in that time and have been having a blast. The fish are not everywhere though with one spot holding good numbers of fish and another similar spot a short distance away often holding nothing. And an hour later it can all change. It seems the fish are moving frequently. I don't know if there is one "magic" lure right now. Lure location seems to be the biggest factor and a somewhat weedless lure helps a lot. Spinner baits have been working for me, but I'm sure topwaters and other bait types would be affective too.
Good luck all.
Edited by Herb_b 9/2/2010 9:59 AM
|
|
| |
|
Location: MN | Water temps were 76 last night on the east side.
Edited by Mak51 9/2/2010 9:36 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | One has to keep in mind that finding Muskies on Minnetonka can be tough at times. Sometimes one gets lucky and stumbles onto them right away and sometimes one has to really work to find them. Just because one person is having success doesn't mean everyone else will too and vice-versa. All one can do is give it a try and see what happens.
I would not recommend to come racing to Minnetonka or change your plans especially if you're doing well on other lakes. The fishing on Minnetonka is spotty like everywhere else right now. Sometimes you may do well and other times you may not see a fish. Depends on the day and if you're lucky or not.
The one thing I have learned way too many times is just when you think you have the Muskies figured out, they will do something different and leave you scratching your head (or some other part of your body).
Good luck all. |
|
| |
|
Location: MN | Herb_b - 9/2/2010 11:25 AM
One has to keep in mind that finding Muskies on Minnetonka can be tough at times. Sometimes one gets lucky and stumbles onto them right away and sometimes one has to really work to find them. Just because one person is having success doesn't mean everyone else will too and vice-versa. All one can do is give it a try and see what happens.
I would not recommend to come racing to Minnetonka or change your plans especially if you're doing well on other lakes. The fishing on Minnetonka is spotty like everywhere else right now. Sometimes you may do well and other times you may not see a fish. Depends on the day and if you're lucky or not.
The one thing I have learned way too many times is just when you think you have the Muskies figured out, they will do something different and leave you scratching your head (or some other part of your body ).
Good luck all.
You said it. Last year was a great year for me on Tonka with many fish in the boat including multiple 50s, different but consistent patterns. This year is brutal on Tonka with only two in the boat, caught by a friend. I have not caught a musky from Tonka this year, been fishing out there since late June; I am very very frustrated. Not sure how or why this is happening. I am spending about half the time on the water but still not even achieving half the results. I don't (think) get in ruts, always try to be versatile in attempt to dial into a pattern. Guess it's bad karma or the Big Guy in the sky is teaching me a lesson. Hoping in the next three months I can scrape a fish out of the lake.
Edited by Mak51 9/2/2010 12:36 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| might be tough to catch much out there for awhile...pressure has been unreal for the last few weeks.. fishing is still slow to poor still. didnt see a sign of a fish yesterday. with all the pressure and IMO a lower population lake most fish have been hooked and handled. might be awhile now. |
|
| |
|
Location: Twin Cities | Saw a dead piggy floating last weekend, look like a cow of a 50'ish fish. CRD. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| also saw a floater yesterday, probably a mid 40s. |
|
| |
|
| I look at it this way...The internet has definitely brought a much bigger interest to Muskie fishing, but with the additional pressure comes additional dollars invested in more fish and more lakes. You can bi_ch about the pressure on the lakes but you cant deny there are a ton of fish in a ton of lakes to be caught. |
|
| |
|
| Anyone make it out today? Wondering if the cool weather held the Labor Day traffic at bay? Fished a different lake today and it was very pleasant without the runabouts the entire time. Wishful thinking I guess.. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | I was out all afternoon and evening and didn't move a fish. Boating traffic was light but they still seem to find a way to buzz by w/in casting distance. Water temps dropped into high 60's by the time I was off the water. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 173
Location: Probably Minnesota that time... | Was out on the west end this morning, from 5-11:00am, we had a 2-fish flurry of acivity around 8am. Partner had one sort of handcuff him at the boat, low 40" fish on a cowgirl wasn't anything he could do about it. Then 5 minutes later 20 yards away I have one pull under my topwater, set ....nothing-bait scitters forward a bit and I keepup the retrieve, it goes down again and I feel weight -set and I get my bait back while watching a nice sized boil. What! caught a pair of 1-2 # bass after that. One on that same topwater and one on a homemade glider. That was it, we had opportunities but could not cash in this day. Man it was a beautifull morning that cooler air was welcome , will be getting out again soon. My favorite time of year is here. Oh yeah, lot of bass guys out there this morning. First day lake has been open to them for pre-fishing state tourney-I think this Thurs, & Fri, or maybe Fri, Sat.-whatever, it doesn't matter just go catch fish.
-Chris |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | I got out a couple of times this weekend and the fishing is tough. I dug into my bag of tricks and my daughter and I scored a few fish. My ten year old daughter caught her first Muskie and I caught my largest of the year so far. We didn't see much though as it seems the fish haven't really gotten going yet. What worked for us was downsizing the lures and going to secondary spots. Both of these fish were caught when the primary spots had boats on them. Sometimes backup plans pay off.
Edited by Herb_b 9/6/2010 11:15 PM
Attachments
----------------
pict_45.jpg (42KB - 221 downloads)
pict_48.jpg (41KB - 235 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Very nice Herb..... Your daughter's smile says it all. Thats a great feeling when the kids are successful, isn't it !
Jerome |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32926
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Cool shots for sure. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Yeah, she was excited all right. She was talking a mile a minute after that and then got a pro-style backlash that took me 15 minutes to get out. She started fishing for Muskies with me when she was six and put in her time again this year. Now she is more excited about the next fishing trip than her soccer game.
So, how much does it cost to have a 45 inch Replica made?  |
|
| |
|
Posts: 60
| Better yet, a professional blow-up of that wonderful photo with a frame.
Steve V |
|
| |
|
Location: MN | That is great! Congrats. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Good idea on the blow-up. Its less expensive too.
Her teacher asked all the kids to bring a 4x6 inch picture of themselves for their first day of school today. So, naturally, she took the picture of her fish. Cute. |
|
| |
|
| Very cool Herb! Thanks for sharing. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 223
Location: Minn. | Herb, You can get a full size photo for $75.00 or a 24"X36" for $40.00 from
http://www.customfish.com/ .
My brother and I each have a full size of our 52"ers. The photos are crisp and clear. Itis nice to see how big they are in a full size photo. Congradulations on the fish. |
|
| |
|
| Herb_b - 9/7/2010 12:30 PM
Good idea on the blow-up. Its less expensive too.
Her teacher asked all the kids to bring a 4x6 inch picture of themselves for their first day of school today. So, naturally, she took the picture of her fish. Cute. :)
Herb, Awesome pictures! So happy for you that you and your daughter could spend that moment together. It is one that neither of you will ever forget.
The picture is awesome and one that I am sure she will cherish.
All I have been able to catch with my boys are smallies. Still fun, but not the same. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Captain, I can't tell you how glad I was that she caught that 45 inch Muskie and not me. Somehow the 48 incher the next day seemed almost anti-climatic. Her fish was actually heavier than mine. Her's had a 22 inch girth (about 27 lbs) and mine had only a 20 inch girth (about 24 lbs). The 48 was a very long Daddy fish I guess.....
So, now we have to decide how big of a picture to get of her fish. That www.customfish.com site has some cool options. Thanks, Muskyfvr for that link.
Edited by Herb_b 9/8/2010 9:32 AM
|
|
| |
|
| Herb_b - 9/8/2010 9:30 AM
Captain, I can't tell you how glad I was that she caught that 45 inch Muskie and not me. Somehow the 48 incher the next day seemed almost anti-climatic. Her fish was actually heavier than mine. Her's had a 22 inch girth (about 27 lbs) and mine had only a 20 inch girth (about 24 lbs). The 48 was a very long Daddy fish I guess.....
So, now we have to decide how big of a picture to get of her fish. That www.customfish.com site has some cool options. Thanks, Muskyfvr for that link. :)
Proud Papa!!!
Out of my 3 boys the oldest two have taken to fishing like flies on you know what. The youngest just doesnt know it yet, well, he's one. The only thing he knows is when he's hungry or pooped.
I am convinced my middle son is going to be a musky phenom. He whips his bobber out there like no tomorrow and doesnt leave it sit, reels in and casts again. Apparently he missed the memo that ONLY muskies are the fish of 1,000 casts. LOL |
|
| |
|
| Water are the current water temps throughout the lake? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 315
| was seeing anywhere from 65- 67 depending on where you are...been 2 days though so yesterdays n last nights rain probably dropped it more. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | I was out this morning and the water temps were at 64 on my fish finder. Fish weren't moving much. We saw two smaller fish, but no eaters. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | 64 degrees pretty much everywhere all day yesterday. That would equal about 1 degree for every muskie boat I saw.
Question: if you see another boat already working a spot, would it be considered acceptable to cut in front of them by 100 yards or so and work said spot before they do? And to the 3 clowns in the red ranger on robinson's bay yesterday, don't expect me to excercise the same restraint should it happen again. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 304
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | Just slide in behind them- look at what they are throwing and change it up a bit. Also move in shallower or out a little deeper. I would not like to have you slide in 100 yards ahead of me- I know it is the Metro - But I assume the guys in the red boat cut you off. Set an example.
Good Luck out there this fall
Steve |
|
| |
|
Location: Twin Cities | cast10K - 9/20/2010 1:41 PM
Question: if you see another boat already working a spot, would it be considered acceptable to cut in front of them by 100 yards or so and work said spot before they do? And to the 3 clowns in the red ranger on robinson's bay yesterday, don't expect me to excercise the same restraint should it happen again.
Are you sure they weren't in a lund near swifts?? Too many people listening to the game and not paying attention...or just being the usual ass clowns they are. |
|
| |
|
Location: MN | This year it's been a black Alumicraft tiller with a black engine and large graph mounted in the back. He's cut me off twice. Second time I could have dropped a short cast in his boat. Few things get's my blood boiling more than people blatantly cutting me off. 
A friend told me a story of a time he got cut off, he left the spot and moved to another one where he proceeded to catch a 50+. His point is that you never know when getting cut off can be a good thing. I need to remind myself of this.
Edited by Mak51 9/20/2010 3:12 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | A friend has also told me a story where the black Alumacraft guy cut him off and stuck a 50 in front of him. We were cut off, and then reprimanded by him on opener this year after letting him know we were headed down this straight breakline and asking him why he was cutting us off. He said he fished the lake, "every day of his life", called us f@gs and left. Makes a guy scratch his head and hope the kid gets a clue some day. Oh well.
Andy "Little Girl" Hamm |
|
| |
|
Location: MN | Hammskie - 9/20/2010 3:26 PM
Andy "Little Girl" Hamm
Can we please start calling you that |
|
| |
|
Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | A Lake Minnetonka report...
Rob from San Diego got his first muskie on Saturday morning after a very cold start.
The muskie was, believe it or not, on a breakline and ate a bucktail on the figure 8.
Edited by Hammskie 9/20/2010 3:47 PM
Attachments
----------------
photo[1].JPG (192KB - 222 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Hamm, I do have to say "thank you" for not sawing us off the other night on Swifts (we were in the bass boat). I saw you coming in and you politely put in behind us and fished the other way. Now if we could only get the other 5000 muskie fishermen to do that same thing... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 444
| Buddy of mine had his line ran over and cut off in some dudes prop the other weekend after we got caught off twice before that. Lost a DCG and stealth leader.
Tonka can be hard to deal with... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 60
Location: Lake Minnetonka | I make it a point of finding blue bass boats trolling along using oars....those are good spots to fish.
Edited by PostFrontal 9/20/2010 7:44 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 576
Location: WI | Mak51 - 9/20/2010 2:55 PM
This year it's been a black Alumicraft tiller with a black engine and large graph mounted in the back. He's cut me off twice.
Black Alumicraft guy got me once this year too. First time I met him on the water he gave me the whole "I've fished this lake everyday for 20 years.." speech. He also gave me a sales pitch for glittertails as he made it sound like he has some monetary interest in them. Was gonna buy some at some point too until he cut me off the next time I saw him out there. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | That is all par for the course on Minnetonka. What really bothers me is when the big boats come to close. I have now armed myself with a powerful air-horn and have begun blasting those guys when they "buzz" me with their big boats.
As far as boats cutting you off, just put on something different than them and follow them one or two cast lengths behind. I have had great luck when being cut off by guys that were throwing DCGs or Bulldawgs and then following them with a topwater or spinner bait. They seem to wake the fish up and then I catch them. I've caught at least 20 fish over the past few years doing that. Funny part is seeing the reaction on the cutoff boat when you stick a pig right behind them. And it really gets them going when you hook the second fish. One can have lots of fun doing that.
Edited by Herb_b 9/23/2010 2:35 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 315
| man fishing out there is just not at all anywhere close to last year! fished till 1:00 last night with one baby follow. Some friends fished till 4 with nothing. Last years full moon in Sept. produced insane amounts of fish. I'm sick of this! Friends up north are frickin slammin them. cant wait for vermilion!!! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3504
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
Just got home from a morning on Tonka. I found nothing... Water temps started at 60, and by the time I left 62 in some areas...
Steve |
|
| |
|
| Was out saturday for about 3 1/2 hours we moved three and had hooks in one. They are in there typical late september early october locations. Which is good because noone else in sight. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 315
| Amen brotha!!! The real reason why we muskie fish is for that rush you get when you stick a pig boatside!!! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 180
Location: Kinkaid Lake, IL | Ben the peace maker! From all I hear about Tonka I can't wait to be there for the next week. LOL See you all out there on Monday! |
|
| |
|
| Fishing has been ok; we have been on the "two fish a day" pattern with a big one mixed in here and there. We are finding fish both deep and shallow (and in between)However, most consistent action has been outside tourney hours! disclaimer: I haven't been fishing during tourney hours. How's that for not giving anything away?! If you guys need anything at all while you're in town please let me know! I'll see you out there Monday morning! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 718
| We found lots of fish in the weeds today... milfoild clumps especially. |
|
| |
|
| Nice work on the tourney bturg! Way to earn one on a tough bite! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 718
| Crazy action the last few days....it is gonna take 5-6 to win this weekend !!! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 576
Location: WI | Anybody know if the PMTT guys get the whole lake or are they sectioned off to a particular area? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 315
| the whole lake |
|
| |
|
Location: MN | From the website:
WATERS OPEN/OFF LIMIT DURING THE TOURNAMENT:
Off Limits: Everything north of Hwy 15 is off limits. Also, Halsteds, St. Albans, Carson’s and Gray’s Bays are off limits. Also, Seton, Black, Emerald, Virginia, Tanager, Maplewood and Peavy Lakes are off limits.
Open: All other waters, lakes and bays not listed or pertaining to the above mentioned. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | So, they can't fish many of the best spots on the lake then. Those small bays can hold a lot of fish this time of year. Not that I'm catching any there. No, not me. I never fish the small bays... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1220
| Really pretty obvious that they needed to eliminate a whole lot of water that would have been tough to patrol with a decent population of judge boats. What's left here is still an incredible acreage to fish, still probably twice what's needed for 50 boats to have more than enough room to spread out---and there is plenty of really, really fine stuff to fish. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 718
| Moved a bunch on top of weeds on Fergusons at mid day today, I was testing a new spinnerbait and was really surprised at how well the new blades moved fish on a slow day. Has any one else used the RN destroyer with the diamond blades? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Hey Bob,
My experience is that spinner baits of all types work well on Minnetonka. CJs are my favorite, but Rag Dogs, Grinders, and Candy Spins have all produced in my boat as well. I have a really huge Bling spinner bait that has gotten attention as well.
The new blades make lots of sense, but you don't need to buy a new spinner bait to get new blades. I have had tremendous success swapping blades on single bladed spinner baits. Swapping out the blades to a different type, size, or color has paid off many, many times for my boat. While the change seems very small to us, a different blade can create an entirely different sound to the fish and appear as an entirely different lure.
Using a larger blade can allow you to slow the lure down and slow roll easier. Using a smaller or thinner blade will allow the lure to drop faster and go deeper. Changing to a more natural color when the water is clearer or a brighter color when the water is more stained has also paid off.
Just adding different type of trailers can also make a big difference. Single tail, double tail, different colors and sizes, many choices to try there too. A little tip: One can add lift with a larger double tail trailer and that can allow one to throw willow bladed spinner baits in the shallow weeds much more easily.
Yeah, there are some fish around Fergesons, but that spot gets hammered and there are much better spots within a few minutes boat drive from there. I can look around on Fergusons and see a dozen spots that often times hold more and larger fish. Actually, the smaller bays have been producing the most action for my boat lately. The fish don't care about the size of the bay. To them its all one lake and they swim where they want.
Good luck. |
|
| |
|
| was on tonka last week. Wednesday thru Friday. seen 7 had one on and had three bites. Muskies just didnt seem to be going. Follows we had were lazy. We seen two that were pushin 50" but couldnt get them to go. Lots
of boat traffic with the hot weather. we fished hard and were all over the lake. how did everyone else do if you dont mind sharing. is tonka a good night lake this time of year? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 718
| I know |
|
| |
|
| Got a 44.5 inch tonight just after dark. We were telling ourselves 3 more casts and on my 2nd to last cast it hit on a topwater chopper. Great way to end the night, should have pictures up soon. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 118
Location: Minnesota | Hit Tonka Saturday and Sunday, water temps 55 - 56 degrees, caught a fat 41 incher on Saturday night. Not even a sniff on Sunday. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 10
| Anyone know if the water is still really dirty?? Headed out tomorrow for a few hours. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks |
|
| |
|
Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | It was pretty dirty on Sunday, and I doubt the high winds this week have helped in that regard. Followers have been skittish, and biters few and far between, but all it takes is one, right? Suicks and spinnerbaits have been getting the action for me. |
|
| |
|
Location: MN | Hit the lake this afternoon into the dark. First time in three weeks I have been able to fish during the day, which was nice :). Pretty slow for me, two hot small fish who wouldn't commit in the eight both on the deep weeds. However, I did land a nice walleye at night, measured in at 28.5"... not a musky but a quality fish. Water temps were varied, 48 in shallow spots and low 50s in the mainlake.
Edited by Mak51 10/30/2010 10:17 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 60
| Fished mid-day on Saturday. Water was very dirty and turbulent.
Nada.
Steve V |
|
| |
|
| Any good reports from this weekend? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | Fished 3 hours on saturday and 5 hours sunday, didn't see a thing. None of the boats I talked to did, either. |
|
| |
|
Location: MN | Fished for 3.5 hrs on Sunday and got a 41" and saw two more, deep. Heard another report of a fella seeing lots of fish skinny. Pick your poison I guess.
Edited by Mak51 11/1/2010 1:48 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 2
| a nice 36 at dusk on a topwater 8feet deep |
|
| |
|
Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN | Fished the last two afternoons, raising fish between inside weedline and shore (2-5 fow), but can't get them to bite. Anyone else having this problem? I'm throwing everything at them. Funny thing is I can usually raise the same fish multiple times, on multiple lures, they just won't eat. |
|
| |
|
Location: Twin Cities | http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/raw-sewage-leaking-into-lak...
That is awesome.......<double face palm> |
|
| |
|
Posts: 432
Location: Eagan, MN |
Criminy I just spent 3 days on the east side. You'd think they could put up a sign at the launches. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 175
Location: Tonka, MN | Its kinda sad that this doesn't surprise me one bit...... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 118
Location: Minnesota | That's just poopy!
Maybe a guy could catch a 2 headed 50 incher out there now. 
Edited by W8N4SNO 11/11/2010 10:07 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 175
Location: Tonka, MN | Ha, extactley what I was thinking. Straight up mutant fish! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1224
Location: Okoboji | fished on sunday, didnt raise anything nor see anything...dead sea. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 96
| Agreed. Been out all week and it's been as slow as I've seen it in a while. I owe my bro a Veteren's Day fish though so we'll give it one last go tomorrow...that still counts, right? |
|
| |
|
Location: MN | I haven't been on the local Pond recently. Did they pull the docks at Gray's yet? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 291
Location: Minneapolis | Docks were gone when I was there last Sunday. Seemed like the fish were gone, too! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| good luck out there......this slowness is fairly typical of minnetonka every late fall...pretty much wasting time, the people out there are just out there to cast or watch there jerkbait go thru the water....Forest is typically a little better option
Edited by Slow Rollin 11/12/2010 1:58 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1224
Location: Okoboji | well i was going to go out in the snow tommorrow but after reading slow rollins post...i am changing my mind about that.
ha |
|
| |
|
Posts: 619
| kodiak - 11/12/2010 3:02 PM
well i was going to go out in the snow tommorrow but after reading slow rollins post...i am changing my mind about that.
ha
yeah, good luck....put a post on how you do? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2
| waiting to get out this morning HEAVY snow boat ready to go just a few more days left no ice yet. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1224
Location: Okoboji | Same here I drove around tonka this morning...zero visibility out there not very safe..might try it when the weather calms down a little. I didn't think it was going to hit this hard this early on the day! |
|
| |
|
Location: MN | Just got off the water and still trying to thaw out. Not sure what I had going through my head but wasn't expecting what we had today! Water temps are coming down, mid 40s. Shoveled out my boat twice. We hooked/lost one fish and saw another. Hoping we get some warmer water to melt the snow at Grays because it was tough getting the boat in & out.
However, I did get some priceless looks from my neighbors when pulling the boat out of the garage this morning. Almost worth it...
Edited by Mak51 11/15/2010 11:52 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 21
Location: Wayzata, MN | I hit the pond for about 4 hours on Friday (11/12). Water temps (surface) were 46.5 to 48.3. Never saw a fish. I threw rubber and blades. I hope to get one more trip in before the water gets hard and the boat goes away..... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1224
Location: Okoboji | i didnt get out on saturday,,,woke up looked out the window shook my head and made coffee and went to my office and just started working on lure plans instead. |
|
| |
|
| On the subject of dumbass boat drivers, no wake, lights, etc----few years ago I made the huge mistake of going to Grays Bay on July 4th. I don't think I was even thinking of the fact that it was July 4th. Completely slipped my mind. Anyway, I have a 15 foot Old Town square back canoe with a trolling motor. It is pretty stable, and can handle some pretty large waves, as long as I can turn part of the bow into them. But a big roller coming at me sideways could be a serious problem.
I could not BELIEVE the behavior of some of the people out there (actually, MOST of the people). Over the six or so hours I was on the Bay, about 6pm-Midnight, probably twenty very large boats went flying by me, close enough I could throw a baseball into their boat, and most of them were FLYING. Throwing off three foot swells, less than 100 feet from my canoe. There was exactly ONE guy in a large boat who saw me and specifically slowed to a crawl before he got close to me, and moved very slow until he was well past me, before opening it up again. THANK YOU, whoever you were. You were the only person I saw that day who followed the law. Or used common courtesy, much less.
I agree, their is a higher retard to normal person ratio on Tonka than any lake I've ever seen. I am strongly in favor of the C.O.'s or Water Patrol passing out as many tickets as they can justify, particularly for boat handling. They concentrate too much on beer, I think, to the exclusion of too much other stuff.
This is my personal bias, but I think that the young people who live on the lake and drive daddy's boat are just so spoiled they don't think they need to follow any rules at all. I could be totally wrong, but those seem to be the people I see who are always screwing up. Twenty somethings in baggie shorts with a Budweiser in their hand, and a boat full of blond bleach blown bimbo's in bikini's.
Also, two low life's in a 14 foot aluminum fishing boat stole two of my marker buoys, then roared off at full speed out of the bay. How low can you go? Stealing $6 worth of buoy's????
I just don't get people these days. That was the first time I ever took my Old Town onto Tonka, and might be the last. But I would like to fish Gray's bay again, but next time I'll go during midweek, and not on a sunny waterskiing day. I caught a 9 inch Muskie that was obviously dropped in at the #*^@ by the DNR. I think that is one of the locations they dump their stocked muskies in.
Thanks,
Doug |
|
| |
|
Posts: 540
Location: MN | The retard to normal ratio is not in your favor if your on tonka in a canoe on the 4th of July especially if your out till midnight. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 158
| On the subject of dumbass boat drivers! lol I think I'll take my canoe out for a pleasure cruise on Tonka, on the 4th of July! lol |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | A little added information here: Grays Bay is a designated minimum wake bay on weekends and holidays. That means closed throttle and minimum speed. If you get caught doing otherwise, it will cost you.
I have seen several boaters get ticketed in Grays Bay for going at more than minimum wake speeds. Last summer, when coming off the lake on a Saturday morning, I saw a couple of jet-skiers put in their jet-skies at the Grays Bay landing and then take off right in front of the water patrol. That little take-off cost them a pretty penny and they were told to leave. Talk about morons.
So, if it was 4th of July, then those boaters were in violation and lucky not to get caught. |
|
| |
