Max & Denis joined me today on another walleye quest. They had fished with me several times before in the past but not really for walleye. This would be a challenge, as they were more bass enthusiasts and I wasn’t sure if they would have the finesse needed to catch these finicky eaters. They couldn’t have picked a better day though as the winds were light and the clouds were in. Perfect conditions for pounding fish all day! Along with these conditions, we had warm air temps of almost 55 degrees and the stars had aligned again! When we arrived at where we were to fish, I needed to instruct them on how to present the rigs. I quickly made a cast to the open water and within seconds was setting the hook with a firm sweep of the rod. Locked up! They didn’t know what to make of this as I slid the net under a plump 19 inch fish. “It’s just that easy”, I told them! They proceeded to cast and fish without anything for a while as I continued to try and instruct them. I was forced to make another demonstration cast and told them to both pay attention this time. As with the first cast, locked up again! Another decent fish of almost 19 inches later, they were both left with their mouth open. “It’s not rocket science”, I told them and monitored their every move after. There were a pile of things they were doing wrong and it was becoming difficult at best as I watched and tried to correct. Eventually they did get a couple of hits, but never even knew they were bit. Slack line, too fast, not the right area and daydreaming were the most common and they were tough to break. I told them that if they stood any chance of catching anything, they would have to really refine their fishing and pay a lot more attention to detail. These fish were not going to commit suicide! Another demonstration was needed and on the second cast, I hooked into one that went 24 inches. I had made 4 casts and caught three fish, it was loaded! They finally realized that their technique needed more attention to detail and after a few more blunders, they actually hooked a couple of fish. By not being familiar with these fish and the environment they were in, they had no idea where their line was or if it was even on the bottom. Fortunately there were plenty of fish to be had and once they started to get the hang of it, they were hooking up. From that point on, the fish were in trouble as they were now keeping tight lines, staying on bottom and feeling the lightest hits. They had officially graduated! I no longer had to cast, hooking into fish and was much better off. All I had to do was keep the boat positioned correctly, have them fire casts in the right direction and they hooked fish. They both wanted to take a few of these tasty critters home and managed to land some for the table. The remainder of the day saw plenty of action, both good and bad but the bottom line was that they had learned. We released many quality walleye up to 25 inches and a bonus fish too. Denis hooked into something in the afternoon that I knew wasn’t a walleye. From the time he set the hook, he had no control and all we could do was follow the fish with the electric motor. I was pretty sure what it was and had a confirmation soon after. He was battling a small muskie but it was pretty big to him. I was finally able to slip the net under the 39 inch fish and he officially had his first lunge. The light tackle fight was something that he thoroughly enjoyed. After a couple of quick pics, I released the fish and it blazed right to the depths. This was definitely the icing on the cake! We went back to walleye fishing for a while before we called it a day and headed home. They both managed to get several more fish and despite the difficult start to the day, it ended with a bang! Hopefully if they ever get back out this season, they won’t be starting from scratch again. Days like these don’t come along too often and I’m glad they got to experience one of the best. Let’s hope there’s a few more left for others to enjoy as well!!

Well, I finally had a day off and decided to go fishing! Christiane hadn’t been able to take advantage of the fall fishing, but today she would. We headed on the water around 9:00 new time, as the clocks had changed overnight and immediately were into fish. With a beautiful flat calm lake, I decided to go for walleye instead of bass. I had been on these fish lately and hoped they would cooperate today. We hit an area in the current and on my first cast a 19 inch Walter was hooked up. I instructed Christiane on how to fish this presentation and it didn’t take long before she was also catching. Sunshine and a light breeze from the SW had the air temps absolutely amazing on this November day. It definitely went into the upper 50 degree range as we basked in this tremendous fall outing. I felt like every walleye was eating today and it seemed like we were continuously fighting fish. Some of them were keepers and many of them were high overs as we released plenty of them between 23 & 27 inches. When things slowed in one area, I just relocated and it started all over again. I don’t think there were many dead periods as it seemed like someone was always fighting a fish. The last hour out had the most action and despite a couple of large fish earlier, also held most of the biggest fish too. It was here that fish of 25 to over 27 inches were landed and there were many. I think the low light had them active when the clouds rolled in, covering the sun. Whatever it was, I didn’t want to leave! With every cast there was the anticipation of that subtle tick loading up the rod with another giant. I’m sure we could have remained out even longer but eventually left them biting and called it a day. This was surely one of the best days, both weather and fishing wise and I was disappointed to have it end. You just never know when the stars will align again this late in the year, allowing you to fish so comfortably. I know we both can’t wait to get back out again, after a day like this. Hopefully “Mother Nature” will shine on us, for another day!!

Scott, Chris & John joined me again today for more of the same punishment as the last time out. We once again wasted 3 hours trolling for the myth monsters without even a single sighting. They are beginning to think they’re like snipe! With the cool morning air came cold everything until the sun finally broke from behind the clouds, warming their bodies like lizards on rocks. Temps were to rise into the low 50’s today and thankfully the winds were light, allowing the sunshine to make things more comfortable. Water temps were barely above 47 degrees but the bass were definitely on fire as they pounded them throughout the remaining hours. Plenty of fish over 4 pounds were caught but nothing really topping the 5 pound mark. John had a previous commitment and needed to return a little earlier so we ran him back to his car and immediately returned fishing afterwards. Without skipping a beat, Scott & Chris picked up right where they left off with a double. It continued for the remainder of the afternoon before we packed it in and called it quits. We may have lost a few hours trolling but in the 5 hours spent for bass, the numbers were incredible. Everyone had caught their fair share of quality bass and were satisfied with the results. With unseasonably warm weather for this time of the year, it’s a real pleasure to be out. Hopefully this will continue right through the month, extending the season even more. Another great day to be fishing!!

Craig & Herm were back this morning for another day of smallmouth fishing. We hit the lake around 8:30 under some clouds and a cool morning air, with high hopes of getting a few giants. I had a couple of tricks up my sleeve today for Herm and I knew he would enjoy them! Water temps had dipped to 48.5 degrees and I was sure they would bite well. Air temps were in the high 40’s at their peak and we had a mix of clouds and sunshine, making this a pretty nice day to be out. The only draw back would have been the west winds, blowing strong. At times there were gusts of 20 or more knots and that wasn’t comfortable. It made the air chill a lot worse than it really was and thin gloves were needed, just to stay warm. Herm wasted no time, locking up on his very first cast and loved the new technique. Bad luck to do that, I told him, as he brought the 4 pounder to the net. It would be many casts later before he was to hook up again and the proof was in the pudding! Craig on the other hand was getting plenty of hits, but most of them were not hook ups. We had to refine a few things before he could monopolize on the number of fish that were picking up his bait. Finally, he was catching and catching good! Several bass in the four pound range were coming aboard along with a few smaller ones as well. This went on for a while before we had to relocate to another area, when it just slowed down. Herm went right to work, hooking up on his first cast once again. Craig wasn’t far behind with one of his own and soon they were both landing many more quality bass from this location. We jumped around plenty looking for the larger ones but never really got into them today. Oh there were plenty of decent fish in the 3 to 4 pound range and many over 4, but nothing above five. Late in the afternoon though, a couple of pigs were landed that surely looked to be in the five pound range. For some reason today the fish were a little strange and I found myself constantly refining both areas as well as techniques, many times. The one common denominator however, was a slower than usual presentation. We literally had to dead stick some of the baits at times in order to get bit. Hopefully in the next few days this will all change and return back to the way it should be. Fall is big fish time and plenty of them are around. Numbers and size are a common thing and I expect both on each and every day, at this time of year. Although they didn’t see the real giants on this outing, they will be back for more. It took Craig until his last trip the previous year to get the biggest bass of the season and I hope he matches it again. Overall a great day on the water regardless of the lack of trophies landed. It’s the anticipation that keeps us going and we anticipate bigger & better things to come. I can’t wait to get back out again!!

After receiving a father’s day gift for a day on the water, my neighbor finally redeemed it today. Yacenti couldn’t have picked a nicer one to be fishing! The air temps climbed to almost 60 degrees with little to no wind all day long. Sunshine was with us throughout and the fishing was on fire! He decided to share the gift by bringing his friend Marc along, thus adding to his pleasure. Although they had both fished with me before, it would be a learning experience for Marc, as this time I had him fishing a new technique. As with every day out, I knew the fishing would be better mid day but was about to be proven wrong. My first explanation cast to Marc ended in a full hook up and a four pounder was soon coming aboard. I hate when that happens! I immediately passed the rod off to him and he began fishing. It took only two casts for him to lock up and the games were on! His first fish was another solid bass close to 4 pounds as well and Yacenti was wondering, where his was! It didn’t take long before they were both hooking plenty of quality smallies and fish were coming in one after the other. Both presentations were working great and they loved it as fish up to 5 pounds were fighting on almost every other cast for a while. When things slowed down, I relocated and they picked at them here & there, all the time hooking large ones where ever we stopped. Although we did have several slow periods through the day, the flurries definitely made up for them. Whenever we hit one, we caught a bunch and before we knew it, the day was almost over. I figured I’d hit one last area and get a couple more fish before we were done but it ended up lasting close to a half hour. They just kept catching giant smallies and I didn’t want to go! Never leave fish when they’re biting! Eventually things did slow down and we were able to call it a day. Days like these are few & far between at this time of year and Yacenti definitely picked a winner. Who could ask for anything more! We had started on a high and ended on another one as well making this a picture perfect day to be on the water!!