My old fishing buddy LloydE is so passionate about walleyes I have tried to get him to change his user name to WaLloyd. No go. But, didn’t take much to get him to go to Starvation this morning. Just the merest chance of a shot at a wallie is enough to keep him awake all night before a trip. He is definitely worthy of the title of fisherman.
**Figured we would do a sneak attack on Bunny Gulch. We used the light of the bright moon to find a good launch spot and hoped to sneak in some fishing before the forecast “breezes” kicked in. **
Had sunrise launch services about 6:30. Light breeze with 55 degree air temp and 67 degree water temp. Clear sky. No wind, no clouds. So far so good.
I let Lloyd get launched first so he could get the first fish jinx out of the way. He said he didn’t believe in that. Maybe he should have. He did get the first fish…and not much more than dinks the rest of the day.
**I started near the rock pile and my first good tug was from a smallette. First species. Then a couple of dinko perch. Second species. Next came two or three wee wallies. Third species. **
I was just thinking that now all I needed for a “grand slime” (4 species) was a chub or a trout. Then I kicked my way into a 28 foot depth in the middle of the channel and my tandem jig rig was brutally attacked. Fought too hard for a wallie. Maybe a smallie. Nopeski. A troutski. Fought hard and took line off the drag but did not jump as the rainbows have been doing in cooler water. Fourth species. Grand slime.
Caught two more feisty bows in the deep zone. One more on the deadly RC Killer jig (red/chartreuse) and one on a dropshot weightless white tube jig. That one arranged his own release by squirting out my hands just as I removed the jig. Houdini Troutski.
Covered a lot of water at different depths. Saw a lot more fish on sonar than I felt on the end of my line. We both caught at least 1.37 grundles of dinko perchos. Donated lots of worms today. But we both caught a few keeper perch. Also got some wee wallies…from 6" to 16". Although one of the bitty tykes tried to pretend he was bigger and stretched hisself out on the ruler to 20". Got quite a few footlongs and some teen-incher wallies. Only kept a couple of the biggest for some wallie scampi and noodles. Kept 2 out the three trout. My sis in law will love those.
Quiet on the water today. No wind and no boats. Well, maybe a couple of far off bottom bouncers and some guy with a noisy tin boat and oars. But it was really nice all day until we got off the water about 1:30. Water temp just under 70.
Always good fishing with Lloyd. He did manage a few wallettes. But, to him A WALLEYE IS A WALLEYE IS A WALLEYE. He was smiling.
Ok now you got me wanting to hit bunny gulch at least one more time before the cold weather hits and/or I am unable to go out. Took this week off to work on house now I am ready to head out again. Hopefully weather will hold up for a tuesday run.
TD,
Sounds like Thursday was a decent day for you and Lloyd. I think I’ll probably give it another try next Tuesday if the weather forecast stays good. A friend over here wants to give it a try and stock up on some Perch fillets. We’ll probably start at Bunny Gulch at about 0830 after launching at the main State Park ramp.
Mike
It has been dropping about a foot a week. But, still higher than it sometimes is at this time of year. Still good depth in the weedy channels. And the fish are shallower than they were earlier.
It was a perfect day…walleye, good fishing companionship, great weather, beautiful environment, and lots of fun! (Did you notice what I put first?)
I just couldn’t get the large fish to come and play, but there will be another day.
I am continually learning about the need to adjust fishing strategies to the fishing environment. You are a master in that department. Thanks for the tutoring!
Holy Smokes Dude! I’m glad to see your so dedicated to your new occupation (fishing) and that you have found such a bounty. But hey, have mercy and share the wealth! [;)]
No mercy for da fishies. Payback time for all the trips when they were laughin’ at me at the end of the day. Get 'em when ya can and be properly grateful…'cause there will always be THOSE DAYS when the fishies win.
Share the wealth? I think I do a pretty fair job of tryin’ to help others catch fish too. I hope so. I have got plenty of help along the way and I believe it payin’ it forward.
I hope the weather is good since Tuesday is probably our only possible fishing date due to work conflicts. Don’t worry about installing that rear-view mirror if you don’t find the time.
I have upgraded my boat to include a new close-in threat suppression system.
Hey TubeDude how does it look as far as launching a drift boat from rabbit, if you don’t mind me asking? I remember the low water last year, it was a little tough to launch Saleratus some times. Anybody fishing Starvy Sunday?
Hey TubeDude how does it look as far as launching a drift boat from rabbit, if you don’t mind me asking? I remember the low water last year, it was a little tough to launch Saleratus some times. Anybody fishing Starvy Sunday?
You can launch a boat from the ends of old Hwy 40 both at Indian Bay and at Bunny Gulch. They are currently launching some pretty large craft at both.
If you favor less traffic and congestion, then Da Gulch is better. Under current conditions there are several safe rocky surface spots to launch without getting bogged down in the nasty mud exposed by the dropping water. Be sure to check any areas near the water before you drive on them.
We have launched the last two times at a point coming out into the water due south of the end of the rock hump and buoys out in the water. Still good depth and safe driving. Should be easy for your rig. Drive past the pay station and the restroom on the old highway. Watch for the first long rock point going out into the water…pointing at the end of the newly exposed rock hump to the north. You can launch just to the west in a little cove or drive out on the end for a firmer launch site.
Are you familiar with the turnoff and access to get into Da Gulch? If not, here is a map and also a map of the current launch conditions. Good luck.
I for one, as a relative newbie on the boards would have to chime in to confirm your generosity and willingness to share. Not something you always see in anglers. There do seem to be those that “protect” their honeyhole, or techniques, or secret spots, best baits etc. And sure -there can be cause to hold back details… keep it secret, keep it safe…
But with your collection of documents, maps, and ongoing detailed reports - ya always twist a good yarn - from launch to basket. Tells the whole story. You’ve inspired my attempts at posts and sharing a fish-tail. You must have a camera hanging around your neck. I like how you hold the fish, and it makes them swell/arch - stretchin’ fins and all - always look ready to poop, probably cuz you scared them shirtless with your killer techniques!!!
Maybe while you’re installing that mirror you should hook up a tripod, and a remote ‘snap’ button…
I actually added a mirror on my rig, but it’s so I can watch my other trolling pole. Despite threats to the kids, I don’t actually have eyes in the back of my head!
Curious - what size do you consider a “keeper” perch? I just haven’t found the fat ones you do at my local water-holes. At least not yet! I’ll keep trying!!!
Thinnin’ back - I realize my Newton Wed trip was a 4-fish-slam-a-rama too. Bass, Perch, Crappie, and that wicked Musky. Guess there’s cats out there too, but I haven’t found em (yet). I’ll admit - I did reel slower with the other perch I caught. Give 'em a chance to flounder and flash…
It’s neat when you get a whole school chasing after your catch as your reel it in. Fun times!
I’\m not seeing the storms we were promised. Hmm - noon Sat. Might have to sneak off for a Sunset adventure - somewhere! Tues at the Gulch? Hmmm can I afford a day off… would love to join ya’ll.
I think it comes down to Angler’s Envy. Wish we could fill a basket like you do! Keep it up! All I can say. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, I appreciate the effort to the insight. I hope the weather man has no insight what so ever. IF it is as windy today as it will be tomorrow I will not be doing much on a drift boat. I will have the fly rod handy for some plan B action. Thanks again.
“Curious - what size do you consider a “keeper” perch?”
No hard and fast rules. Pretty subjective, based upon the water being fished, the population and size of the fish expected to be caught…and the action on any given day. On a good day at Starvation we might toss back anything under 10 inches. If the fishing is slow we might drop the standard a couple of inches if we want some fillets on the table. On other lakes you just have to decide how many small ones you want to mess with if the bigguns are not showing.
“You must have a camera hanging around your neck.”
**As a matter of fact, I do have a wide band elastic strap that holds my camera around my neck while fishing. It hangs down inside my chest pouch for easy access during “Photo Ops”. **
Thanks for the kindly comments. I appreciate your appreciation. I DO hand out a lot of info…but only on waters that are not likely to be harmed by a bit more fishing pressure…or on species that clearly can stand some more harvest. Like everybody else, I have my special spots that do not get much “blue type” from me. I am always happy to share by PM if someone wants to keep it personal and discreet.
I have wanted to add a mirror for some time but have not found what I consider to be an ideal setup. Not wild about the bicyclist things and not ready to screw-mount a semi truck mirror to my tube just yet. But, I do have a wide angle mirror that should help keep me on course…and help avoid running over poor boaters…and I have a PVC mount setup (what else) in mind. Will be putting it together soon.
My old fishing buddy LloydE is so passionate about walleyes I have tried to get him to change his user name to WaLloyd. No go. But, didn’t take much to get him to go to Starvation this morning. Just the merest chance of a shot at a wallie is enough to keep him awake all night before a trip. He is definitely worthy of the title of fisherman.