5.55 Was Big Bass.
(Image from WABTA's Website)
Thursday, May 15, 2014
WABTA-Okauchee
Here is the rundown for the first WABTA tournament on Okauchee from last weekend. Some nice bags of fish, but plenty of guys struck out.
5.55 Was Big Bass.
(Image from WABTA's Website)
5.55 Was Big Bass.
(Image from WABTA's Website)
Things of interest.
Just a list of things that maybe of interest to you.
1.) Ironman Musky Tournament on Pewaukee- This Saturday (Details Here)
2.) Take a Vet Fishing in Madison - June 8th (Details Here)
3.) Take a Vet Fishing-Pewaukee -June 14th (Details Here)
Cheers,
CT
1.) Ironman Musky Tournament on Pewaukee- This Saturday (Details Here)
2.) Take a Vet Fishing in Madison - June 8th (Details Here)
3.) Take a Vet Fishing-Pewaukee -June 14th (Details Here)
Cheers,
CT
Friday, May 9, 2014
Fishing Report 5-9-14
Well...week 1 of the gamefish season is in the books. By most people's measure, it hasn't been the most productive week.
Water temps are creeping into the mid 50's. I was out today and saw temps as high as 57, but that was along a northern shore with a heavy south wind blowing in. Plenty of water still in the high 40's-low 50's. The water has also cleaned up a bit from before the season started. Green weeds are hard to come by with consistency.
Panfish are in shallow, and lots of anglers are still targeting them, but the better gills and crappies are still suspending over deep water. Drifting with tight-line vertical presentations with close attention to your electronics is the best way to connect with the better fish. Fish are about 15 feet down over deeper water, but are holding on weed edges out to 18 feet, especially those with deeper water nearby (ends of shallow points are holding lots of quality fish)
Bass fishing is just getting started. Fish are in small wolfpacks and have been moving into the shallows to sun and chase bait. Wood laydowns are holding a fair number of fish, but the size is very mixed. Dark-bottom flats, especially in protected bays are also starting to see some fish move up. On the sunny, warmer days...look for the fish shallow, especially in the early afternoons. The rest of the time, you're going to have to comb the edges and drop offs. Jerkbaits have been consistent producers, as has live bait, but I've caught fish this week on a mixed bag of grubs, jig and chunks, wacky worms and texas rigged plastics. Look for the warmest water, and fish that area methodically.
Pike fishing has been slow, but steady. Smaller pike are still patrolling shallow flats that have standing weeds but it seems the bigger fish have moved out. Jumbo shiners on lindy rigs with floro leaders are an awesome bait for big pike under these conditions...but if you're casting...keep it simple...lipless crankbaits, small bucktails or size 13 floating rapalas in a natural pattern.
Musky fishing has been tough. Lots of fish are still paired up, and the rest are still fairly beat-up from the spawn. A few have been caught, and not surprisingly jerkbaits and bucktails have caught most of those. It's a great time to chase musky...most of the fish are still shallow.
I'll be out on Lac Labelle, Moose, Okauchee and Silver over the next ten days. More as it comes in.
Good Luck Out There,
CT
Water temps are creeping into the mid 50's. I was out today and saw temps as high as 57, but that was along a northern shore with a heavy south wind blowing in. Plenty of water still in the high 40's-low 50's. The water has also cleaned up a bit from before the season started. Green weeds are hard to come by with consistency.
Panfish are in shallow, and lots of anglers are still targeting them, but the better gills and crappies are still suspending over deep water. Drifting with tight-line vertical presentations with close attention to your electronics is the best way to connect with the better fish. Fish are about 15 feet down over deeper water, but are holding on weed edges out to 18 feet, especially those with deeper water nearby (ends of shallow points are holding lots of quality fish)
Bass fishing is just getting started. Fish are in small wolfpacks and have been moving into the shallows to sun and chase bait. Wood laydowns are holding a fair number of fish, but the size is very mixed. Dark-bottom flats, especially in protected bays are also starting to see some fish move up. On the sunny, warmer days...look for the fish shallow, especially in the early afternoons. The rest of the time, you're going to have to comb the edges and drop offs. Jerkbaits have been consistent producers, as has live bait, but I've caught fish this week on a mixed bag of grubs, jig and chunks, wacky worms and texas rigged plastics. Look for the warmest water, and fish that area methodically.
Pike fishing has been slow, but steady. Smaller pike are still patrolling shallow flats that have standing weeds but it seems the bigger fish have moved out. Jumbo shiners on lindy rigs with floro leaders are an awesome bait for big pike under these conditions...but if you're casting...keep it simple...lipless crankbaits, small bucktails or size 13 floating rapalas in a natural pattern.
Musky fishing has been tough. Lots of fish are still paired up, and the rest are still fairly beat-up from the spawn. A few have been caught, and not surprisingly jerkbaits and bucktails have caught most of those. It's a great time to chase musky...most of the fish are still shallow.
I'll be out on Lac Labelle, Moose, Okauchee and Silver over the next ten days. More as it comes in.
Good Luck Out There,
CT
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Fishing Report 5-6-2014 (Quickie version)
Sounds like the opener was pretty tough on our local lakes.
Water is the high 40's to low 50's range on most lakes. The weeds took a pretty solid hit, and the water is fairly dirty from the die off.
Musky are still paired up, but you may see some beat up post spawn fish. Bass are just starting to stage outside of spawning areas. Pike are using the shallow flats, especially where baitfish can be found.
Best Advice: Look for the warmest water and fish it through. We're at least a week away from consistent early season fishing.
Check in Friday for a full report.
Water is the high 40's to low 50's range on most lakes. The weeds took a pretty solid hit, and the water is fairly dirty from the die off.
Musky are still paired up, but you may see some beat up post spawn fish. Bass are just starting to stage outside of spawning areas. Pike are using the shallow flats, especially where baitfish can be found.
Best Advice: Look for the warmest water and fish it through. We're at least a week away from consistent early season fishing.
Check in Friday for a full report.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Last minute updates for the 2014 opener
Should be an interesting opener this year. If you're heading up north, you might want to check in to make sure you understand the conditions where you are going to fish. There's still a bunch of ice from the sound of it.
Closer to home....trout made it into the lakes and ponds around the area (there's places up north where they haven't been stocked yet..because of the ice) The local list is part of my earlier preview post which you can read here. (Or just scroll down a bit) The big news for the local put and take trout is that is was almost all rainbows in our neck of the woods.
Conditions on the lakes have been fairly steady. Weed growth is limited and the old weeds which made it through the winter are in bad shape. The warmest water is in the usual spots, dark bottom bays with northern shorelines or near the spring fed areas.
You may find some stained water this weekend as well. The rains over the last batch of time have put some suspended load into the water, especially with all the dead plant material. I'd look for clear water with dark or sandy bottoms, and keep my efforts there. The weather report suggests that Sunday afternoon will be the best, especially if the sun comes out and there's a breeze from the south.
I'd take this approach on the lakes. Saturday morning, I would setup on points and breaks close to the outside of the areas where bass typically spawn, and I would fish live bait. Big shiners, small suckers or chubs would be my first choices. About 10am, I'd start moving into the coves and protected areas and dragging plastics or grubs. If you're seeing bait and or smaller fish swimming around, don't leave an area until you have fished it through. Lots of fish will concentrate on smaller areas. I'd do the same thing on Sunday, but Sunday afternoon/evening, maybe 1-5pm, I'd consider casting with minnow or jerkbaits or lipless cranks around any standing weeds you can find.
Panfish: Look for them to be in the shallows. Crappies have been biting (although it was better before this cold snap) There' s not much in the way of weeds, so lots of the fish are setup on reeds or wood. Laydowns in or over deeper will likely hold some fish, but don't overlook shallow dark bottom areas.
Bass: Texas rigged lizards, creature baits or tubes dragged very slowly at the outside of areas where bass spawn is going to produce. Dragging live bait will also work. Big shiners and small suckers will due the trick.
Walleyes: Live bait, vertical jigging with finesse tackle would be my choice approach. Start deep and work in on the breaks. Using you electric motor to pull lindy rigs is a good way to cover some water.
Pike: Go big or go home. Bucktails, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits or lipless crankbaits will be your best bets outside of a slip sinker rig with a big minnow. There's still a bunch of larger pike in the shallow marshy areas of many lakes.
Musky: I think there's an opportunity for a really big fish this weekend. Especially late on Sunday. I would bring the suckers, and fish a bucktail or jerkbait in a natural or neutral color pattern. A bunch of fish are still shallow, and a few are even still paired up. Look for them on the flats, especially if there's baitfish nearby.
Good Luck and Be Safe this weekend.
Cheers,
CT
Closer to home....trout made it into the lakes and ponds around the area (there's places up north where they haven't been stocked yet..because of the ice) The local list is part of my earlier preview post which you can read here. (Or just scroll down a bit) The big news for the local put and take trout is that is was almost all rainbows in our neck of the woods.
Conditions on the lakes have been fairly steady. Weed growth is limited and the old weeds which made it through the winter are in bad shape. The warmest water is in the usual spots, dark bottom bays with northern shorelines or near the spring fed areas.
You may find some stained water this weekend as well. The rains over the last batch of time have put some suspended load into the water, especially with all the dead plant material. I'd look for clear water with dark or sandy bottoms, and keep my efforts there. The weather report suggests that Sunday afternoon will be the best, especially if the sun comes out and there's a breeze from the south.
I'd take this approach on the lakes. Saturday morning, I would setup on points and breaks close to the outside of the areas where bass typically spawn, and I would fish live bait. Big shiners, small suckers or chubs would be my first choices. About 10am, I'd start moving into the coves and protected areas and dragging plastics or grubs. If you're seeing bait and or smaller fish swimming around, don't leave an area until you have fished it through. Lots of fish will concentrate on smaller areas. I'd do the same thing on Sunday, but Sunday afternoon/evening, maybe 1-5pm, I'd consider casting with minnow or jerkbaits or lipless cranks around any standing weeds you can find.
Panfish: Look for them to be in the shallows. Crappies have been biting (although it was better before this cold snap) There' s not much in the way of weeds, so lots of the fish are setup on reeds or wood. Laydowns in or over deeper will likely hold some fish, but don't overlook shallow dark bottom areas.
Bass: Texas rigged lizards, creature baits or tubes dragged very slowly at the outside of areas where bass spawn is going to produce. Dragging live bait will also work. Big shiners and small suckers will due the trick.
Walleyes: Live bait, vertical jigging with finesse tackle would be my choice approach. Start deep and work in on the breaks. Using you electric motor to pull lindy rigs is a good way to cover some water.
Pike: Go big or go home. Bucktails, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits or lipless crankbaits will be your best bets outside of a slip sinker rig with a big minnow. There's still a bunch of larger pike in the shallow marshy areas of many lakes.
Musky: I think there's an opportunity for a really big fish this weekend. Especially late on Sunday. I would bring the suckers, and fish a bucktail or jerkbait in a natural or neutral color pattern. A bunch of fish are still shallow, and a few are even still paired up. Look for them on the flats, especially if there's baitfish nearby.
Good Luck and Be Safe this weekend.
Cheers,
CT
Take A Vet Fishing 2014
I'm proud to participate in the Take a Vet fishing event this year. This is a fantastic organization that does a simple, but important task, --gives back to the people who serve.
Here is a link to my post from last year. We had a good morning on Waubesa.
This year the fishing day is in early June, but the group is having a fundraising event Memorial Day weekend. Here's the flyer for the fundraising dinner. Consider supporting this event.
Here is a link to my post from last year. We had a good morning on Waubesa.
This year the fishing day is in early June, but the group is having a fundraising event Memorial Day weekend. Here's the flyer for the fundraising dinner. Consider supporting this event.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
2014 Local Tournaments
Note: All of these circuits have additional tourneys, these are the ones scheduled for the local lakes we routinely report on. Check the links for more information.
Bass:
WABTA (www.wabta.org)
$125 Division
May 10th Okauchee
June 14th Pewaukee
$300 Division
June 1st Okauchee
August 2nd Pewaukee
Anglers Choice Registration Information/Link is Here
May 11 Nagawicka Lake
June 8 Pewaukee Lake
June 29 Whitewater Lake
August 9 Pewaukee Lake
September 7 Okauchee Lake
September 28 Rock Lake
October 5 Nagawicka Lake
Musky:
Milwaukee Chapter of Muskies Inc (http://www.milwaukeemuskiesinc.com/)
May 10th Pewaukee
Ironman Musky Tournament Trail (http://www.ironmanmusky.com/)
May 17th Pewaukee
September 13th Pewaukee
November 1st Pewaukee
The Pro-Mac Circuit has been suspended for 2014:
With a heavy heart, the WMT Series™ has decided to place all three tournament circuits (Wisconsin Muskie Tour™, Professional Muskie Angler Circuit™, and Muskie Country Tournament Circuit™) on hiatus for the 2014 season. The decision didn't come easy nor was it made in haste.
Bass:
WABTA (www.wabta.org)
$125 Division
May 10th Okauchee
June 14th Pewaukee
$300 Division
June 1st Okauchee
August 2nd Pewaukee
Anglers Choice Registration Information/Link is Here
May 11 Nagawicka Lake
June 8 Pewaukee Lake
June 29 Whitewater Lake
August 9 Pewaukee Lake
September 7 Okauchee Lake
September 28 Rock Lake
October 5 Nagawicka Lake
Musky:
Milwaukee Chapter of Muskies Inc (http://www.milwaukeemuskiesinc.com/)
May 10th Pewaukee
Ironman Musky Tournament Trail (http://www.ironmanmusky.com/)
May 17th Pewaukee
September 13th Pewaukee
November 1st Pewaukee
The Pro-Mac Circuit has been suspended for 2014:
With a heavy heart, the WMT Series™ has decided to place all three tournament circuits (Wisconsin Muskie Tour™, Professional Muskie Angler Circuit™, and Muskie Country Tournament Circuit™) on hiatus for the 2014 season. The decision didn't come easy nor was it made in haste.
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