Mother Nature’s Wrath
June 25, 2020
What a difference a day makes! From scorching heat & humidity, to post frontal cool air and insane hurricane winds. Pierre & Gilbert had the pleasure of experiencing giant waves at the start, but at least we were heading straight into them on our way to the first spot.
I had planned on trolling an area due to the conditions and stopped in slightly calmer water to set up. As if I hadn’t had enough motor issues this season, I now had another problem! It seemed that the long run in big waves somehow caused the start button on the small engine to malfunction. It flat out didn’t want to fire! I soon realized after moving the wiring a bit that it must have cut through, causing a break from the run. Oh well, another day without the kicker once again!
We managed to boat several northerns and a couple of bass in the first few hours by making some adjustments. I would troll into the big waves using the main engine and switch to the trolling motor when going with the wind. Not my preferred method, but it worked!
After trolling for quite a while with just a few more fish, I bit the bullet and decided to go elsewhere, casting for bass. I picked an area that was somewhat protected from the big winds and we were all happy. It was nice to not be constantly fighting the hell, Mother Nature had unleashed on us, for a while!
As I was limited to where I could fish today, I tried picking areas close to each other. We remained in this one and they managed to boat plenty of smallies while there. After a while however, the well went dry and we were forced to fight the winds once again!
I was now fully exposed to her wrath and fished in a giant crosswind with plenty of current hitting us as well. Thankfully the anchor mode on the electric made it all doable and once again both Pierre and Gilbert managed to fight plenty more bass. I worked this area meticulously, with them picking at every fish they could. Gilbert even managed to catch a nice keeper walleye that went directly into the livewell for dinner tonight.
I hit one final spot once the action slowed, in hopes of getting a few more fish. Gilbert was looking for another walleye to bring home but it just wasn’t happening. I made one cast with a jig and was immediately locked up. Thinking it wasn’t a bass, I told him to get the net and he happily dipped it under another eye. After one more bass, I readied the boat for the long run back. Although it didn’t look too bad, we were in for a big surprise!
As I got more into the open water I could see that the rollers were much bigger than I thought and I was forced to head back like a sailboat. I had to tack multiple times along the way in the waves and even at that, we managed to eat some water. Thankfully we made it to the ramp only a little wet and everyone was happy to be back.
I’m not really sure how big some of those waves were today, but they were definitely in the four to six foot range at times. I’m sure glad the motor performed and the Ranger got us back safe & sound! Just another day in paradise and another one in the books!
