A Hello And Some Information

[rps]

I haven't posted much this winter. Illness and school stuff has limited me from learning anything worth reporting.

Went down to check the boat at the marina. Good thing I did. Evidently the seal on the pump is getting old and leaky. The lift had sunk enough to put the very bottom of the boat in the water. Since it was down I turned the key and the engine started on the first crank. I love machinery that does what it should. I shut down using the Etec fog method and raised the lift. I used the manual valve on the tank to make sure it stays up.

At current water levels, I advise launching from the gravel point across from the marina. I watched one launch and one load while I was there and both had no trouble. On the other hand the paved ramp end (which creates a drop off) will cause a problem for the longer trailers or those who need deeper draft.

I also talked to Ken Greenwood when he came in. Ken owns a self built pontoon/houseboat. I met him through Chuck Etheridge. The boat inside has a bed, a stove, a heater, and wall rod racks. Three holes with lids are cut in the floor for vertical fishing. Ken is a transplant from the North. He primarily jig fishes. He uses 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 bare jig heads with 3 or 4 inch minnows. He told me the brown water from the rain has slowed fishing down. He reported he and his friends had caught 278 walleye in January, mostly by casting and slow swimming the jig along the bottom. He said the largest was 13.8 and that there was another 12. By the way Ken typically keeps one or two barely legal fish.

[Anything that swims]

o

[Anything that swims]

O

[Jason Essary]

Ok guys, got a question. Everyone says minnows for walleye which I understand. But was thinking of trying shiners. Anyone have any experience with shiners for them? Just thought it would be a bigger meal for them and more attractive. Or am I over thinking it and just use what has been stated? Thanks

[Feathers and Fins]

Jason; for my live bait order it is;

1. Creek Chub

2. Brooders

3. Threadfin Shad

4. Gizzard Shad

5. Worms

Of those though 3 to 5'' Gizzards seem to be the best catchers if that helps

[rps]

The minnows Ken uses are larger than crappie minnows (2X?) Don't know where he gets them. Many of my walleye correspondents swear by chubs this time of year. Don't know what that really is or how/where they get them. Can you tell I don't fish with minnows much? I can say this. I have cleaned enough walleye to know they love shad and they love bluegill. Don't know why a shiner wouldn't work.

[rps]

P.S. the ramp at the camp area by the suspension bridge is still an easy launch.

You mean, of course, the ramp you drive over the gravel bar now exposed to reach. That ramp drops directly into the river channel. Everyone should be aware that at this water level, stay in the middle of the channel when you run between that launch and Stubblefield. Up stream is even more demanding.

[Anything that swims]

O

[powerdive]

rps, I suspect your friend Ken has found a source for fathead minnows. Hugely popular walleye bait up north, very tough (they're also called tuffies), very difficult to find down here.

Jason E., shiners are effective for walleyes around here. The only problem is that they are not very hardy. Fish 'em tight on jigheads, and their condition won't matter. Just be sure to leave enough hook gap exposed in order to get a good hookset...and in the cold water, you may have to "nurse" a bite at times--let the fish take it for a few seconds before crossing his eyes.

[Jason Essary]

I once went with some guys that swore by hard heads. It was 48 degrees as the sun went down and we got to bull creek. we waded out with a seine in JEANS, found about two dozen 4" to 8" and headed to powersite. Toke forever to dry out by a big campfire, stayed out there till 2am. One keeper walleye. LOL>. Just a story. So I understand that they work, but was just curious about something "easier" to find.

If I get time to take off after them, probably take a dozen of each and let you guys now how it goes.