1st Dogfish of the Year!
Yesterday I went to Mille Lacs for a little bit of multi-species angling. I started in the Isle Island Canal for panfish. I caught 2 small crappies 1 sunfish and one milting perch. There were tons of baitfish in this canal along with several muskie; At one point I had two 40 something inch muskies swimming side by side right under the boat. Apparently the crappie had been going good in the canal up until the cold weather a couple of days ago.

As the day wore on I deceded to try "Dogfish Nirvana" which is a very small bay over by the State Park Isle Bay. For some reason there always seems to be dogfish in this particular cut. I got in there and started tossing a 1/2White Jig and pig. As I made my way in I spotted a nice doggy right in front of me. I was able to make a couple of casts and bounce the jig off his white nose, but he didn't bite. The boat then passed over the fish and I had to spin around. I respotted the fish and cast passed it. I then hopped the bait closer and closer, sure enough it struck and I set the hook. I fought the dogfish until it was plum wore out and then I netted it. It was a dark fish (looked a lot like doggy drawing above) that measured 30inches. YES! What a way to start for doggies this year.

I think I saw another smaller fish in "Dogfish Nirvana" too.

Fish attractant scare reported at Bassfan

Various news outlets are reporting that a leaky bottle of J.J.'s Magic Dippin Dye fish attractant yesterday forced the closure of the Hueytown, Ala. post office. In addition, 20 workers were sent to hospitals in the Birmingham area.

Apparently, officials were at first unsure whether the concoction was lethal. The Associated Press reported that six workers had difficulty breathing and were rushed to hospitals as a decontamination measure. Others reported a burning sensation in their throats.

And as its name implies, J.J.'s Magic Dippin Dye also contains lure dye. Workers initially thought the substance was caustic and had burned the floor.

The threat of a terrorist attack is anything but funny, and BassFan, every day, thanks the men and women who put themselves in harm's way to keep up safe. But there is one line of an AP report on the event that we got a chuckle from, and you might too: "Many anglers are familiar with such concoctions and use it without any protection."

No dogfish yet. I've only had one good day with the Crappies.

The Weather: To nice to blog.

Fishing Goals 2006

Fishing Goals 2006

Crappie:
1. Catch 14inch or bigger
2. Find the Crappies this spring on Platte

Dogfish:
1. Repeat as MN Bowfin Grand Champion
2. Catch a State Record Doggy (Current Record 10lb15oz 32"/15"- 31"/14.5")

Walleye:
1. Catch a 30inch fish.

Pike:
1. Win or place in the money in Hillman Lions Platte Lake Pike Tournament (August)

Bass:
1. Catch a 21plus inch or 7lb Largemouth
2. Catch a 21plus inch or 6lb Smallmouth
3. Catch 40 Bass@ or over 19inches or 4lbs.
4. Catch 60 Smallmouth.

Team Bass Trail:
1. Win 2 Tournaments (1@Horseshoe)
2. Win Big Bass 2 Times
3. Place in the Money 4 times
4. Never Finish below 10th place
5. Limit every tournament
6. Average over 2.25lbs per fish
7. Make the Super Stars Tournament

New Lakes to Fish:
Osakis (Team Bass)
Bordon

SPRO Stuff:

Here is what I won in the Spro Monthly online prize drawing.

Two Spro Visors
A Black Spro Polar Fleece Pull Over
Roland Martin Signiture Aruku Shad 75 Blue Shiner
Roland Martin Signiture Aruku Shad 75 Red Craw
Roland Martin Signiture Spro Dawg 100 Silver Black
Roland Martin Signiture Spro Dawg 100 Chart.
Charlie Ingram Special Fat Crank 20 Firetiger
Charlie Ingram Special Fat Crank 20 Shad
Charlie Ingram Special Crank 25 Baby Bass
Charlie Ingram Special Crank 25 Parrot

So far I'm quite impressed with the quality of the baits, although I have not caught any dogfish with them. I like the Spro Dawg better than the Lucky Craft Sammy of similiar size. The Spro Dawg throws a country mile. The Aruku's look like they will be fish catchers. The Fat Cranks are super shallow runners like Mann's Minus 1's and the Crank 25's are a unique bait that is shaped just like a small sunfish or perch. When bass season opens these baits should get serious consideration. Unfortunatly I did not get any of those new Dean Rojas Bronze Eye Frog's, but beggars can't be choosers.

It's that time of year again, so once and for all.
BP's Philosophy of MN Closed Bass Season over at Bass Pundit Preach

Hellabass on Wrapped Boats

The Weather: Has been unseasonably warm, so I've been fishin instead of blogging. Also this computer is a bit mixed up right now so that's been a factor in my non-blogging as well.

Boat in the water, motor fired right up. YES!

BP Fishing Report: Rock Off

Can Shin do it agaIN?

In case you are unaware Japanese Angler, 2004 FLW Angler of the Year, Shinichi Fukae is in the hunt at Beaver Lake Wal-Mart open to win the $200,000 first place prize. This would be his second FLW tour victory of the year. He won $100,000 at Lake Okeechobee, the first tournament of the year. It is quite a test to win a 200 boat field Pro Tour tournament, two in one season would be incredible.

FLW Walmart Open Live blogging:
It 's down to Shin and Mark Rose, both have 1 fish left and Shin has a 2lb7oz advantage.

Mark Rose weighs his last fish: Has a Smallie it weighs 2-2 he needed 2-7 to take the lead Shin Wins Shin Wins !

Shin's winning weight 21lbs a full 2lbs15ozs bigger than Mark Rose in 2nd.

Shin's Win BassFan Shin's Win FLW Online

The Weather: Mid 50's no wind, I'm going fishing.

BP Fishing Report: Rock Again

Rock ON today's report from Rock Lake.

Ice Off !
Platte Lake April 6th
Sullivan Lake April 7th
Rock Lake April 7th
Long Lake April 7th
Erskine Lake April 6th

We didn't get the rain that the twin cities had, but that didn't matter. We are free and clear.

The Weather: Extended Forecast Bring it on!

Bass Fishing and Other Things 2006 Bass Fishing Goal

Bassfan Big Sticks are done blogging from Beaver

BassFan Cartoons:

Also at Scalesandtales.net obviously.

Platte Lake Ice Out Update: I'm going with tomorrow for the official "Platte Ice Out Day" even though the big western and big northern bay will still be ice covered but our bay will be ice free thus Jenny's launch would be open along with about 70% or more of the lake. I could fish the lake tomorrow so tommorrow it will be.

Other Area Lakes: Long (80-90%) Erskine (20% or less ice cover) Rock (60% or more ice cover) Whitefish (50% ice cover) Shakopee (70% ice cover) Sullivan (70% Ice Cover, River Area 100% open) Mille Lacs (99% but I could float the slip slop over fishable water in Wigwam, and probably in Isle) 2006 MN Ice out status.

Goings on at the GOMH

Explain this to me : At the recent Bassmaster's Elite Series Tournament at Santee Cooper Kevin Van Dam and Alton Jones were disqualified for breaking the rules. (For background click on names). For more background read here

Here are the applicable rules:
Rule 3: "During both the official practice and the tournament, a competitor may not have the assistance or advice of anyone for the purposes of locating or catching bass, nor enter the tournament waters with anyone who has been on the tournament waters during the off-limits period including, but not limited to, a professional guide, state or federal wildlife agency employee, or any other person deemed an "expert" on these tournament waters by the tournament director, unless they are a competitor in the tournament."

Rule 12: "In pro-am type events, pros will fish from the front deck, non-boaters from the rear deck, no exceptions. Non-boaters are only allowed to drive the boat in emergency situations in both practice and competition with the exception of loading and unloading from trailers."

Now in Kevin's case the "non-boater" who was "a competitor" drove the boat in a non-emergency situation and that garnered the DQ. I think this punishment was harsh and unnecessarily severe, but clearly KVD broke the rules.

In Alton Jones case he was disqualified because his son "Little Alton" was on the front deck spotting fish. In light of both rule 3 and 12 Alton was in violation of the rules. "Little Alton" was not a "competitor in the tournament" thus helping his dad find fish would put him in violation of the rule 12 and being on the front deck in violation of rule 3.

However, I have learned that angler Randy Howell was looked into for violating the rules but was not disqualified. According to the story at Bassfan this what happened:

On the first day of practice I had my brother-in-law practicing with me. We got hung up on a stump, and it was one of those situations. He cranked it up to get me off the stump and idle me over in an emergency situation, which is legal

Now never mind the definition of emergency situation or not, Randy clearly admits he was practicing with his brother in law who was not a "competitor" in the tournament. Should not Randy Howell have been guilty of breaking Rule 3?

I just do not see how it is legally allowed for a boater to fish with a non-boater who is not also a competitor. Someone explain it to me, please?

Platte Ice Out Update: The rain and wind have been chipping away. From what I can tell the lake is now 30to40% open with a real shot at being fully open in the next couple of days.

New Platte Ice Out Prediction: April 5th

Preston Clark sets record at Santee Cooper plus BASS AOY current standings.

It is that time of year folks
MN Ice off status 2006
MN Ice off status 2005
MN Ice off status 2004
MN Ice off status 2003
MN Ice off status 2002
MN Ice off status 2001
MN Ice off status 2000
MN Ice off status 1999

Be sure to visit the Bass Hole now that he is fishing again.

On the FishingMinnesota.com Bass Forum this question was asked by SLP:

I'm just curious what people think a great day on a Minnesota lake would be from a quantity standpoint fishing for Bass with 2 guys in the boat. 10? 20? 30? 50? 100? The few people I have talked to say 75 plus days are pretty common in the spring(late May early June). What do you think?

Now instead of answering the question in a straight foreword answer, most responses consist of talking about how any day fishing is a good day and quantifying it does not matter blah blah blah. Finally after a bunch of those sophist responses Tom Wilson answers with this:

SLP,
While you got a few answers here, and they are all right on about the company you keep, I don't think anyone answered your question. From the end of may (after opener) until about the 4th of July, for two people in a boat fishing for an average 6-7 hours 100+ fish is not uncommon at all. At that time of year, shallow water fish are the key, and if you know what you're doing, then 50 bass apiece is absolutely doable.

BP's responce: I am a fisherman that is geared to pay attention to numbers and so feel qualified to offer an informed responce. I think the answer depends upon the lake being fished, the weather conditions, and the pattern/presentation being used.

Obviously some lakes have better bass populations than other lakes and that will be the number 1 deciding factor of guiding expectations for bass "by the numbers." 2 Guys would be having a pretty darn good day on Platte/Sulivan if they could put 50 fish in the boat. On Sylvia/Twin in Wright County catching 50 is probably an easy mark, 75-100 about average and 100+ a pretty good day with 125 to 200 fish days possible. I don't know which lakes or rivers Mr. Wilson fishes but I would say calling 100+ fish days "doable", meaning in somewhat common, is a bit of a stretch. You have to really be whacking them pretty good to be boating 20 fish an hour for 5 straight hours; many lakes just are not capable of that type of output.

As I mentioned before the weather conditions and pattern fished obviously play a role. If the fish are shut down because of conditions than even a great bass lake can be pretty stingy. Also if you a chuncking a jig at docks, 100 fish days are gonna be the exception rather than the rule even on a great dock bass lake.

Overall I would say the normal range for a "good day" for 2 people in a 8 hour day would be between 40-80 fish, 90-120 a very good day, 120+ phenominal.

The Weather: Today was below normal cool and cloudy. Despite that a several acre large patch of water has openned up the NE corner of the main bay on Platte. Had we gotten that rain and the sun that was predicted today than there probably would have been serious momentum towards ice off being next week. As it stands I'm sticking with yesterday's prediction.

Is it Friday already?

The Weather: We didn't get the big warm rain I was hoping for. Today was cool and windy.

BP's Predicted Platte Ice Out Date (As of today): April 9th

Fantasy Bass Note: As of today BP'sObro assumed the lead position in the fishers of men league and 4 of the 6 posse members are in the top 50.

Ice Conditions Platte Lake: 10inches of honeycombed ice.

I went out fishing today and the ice was rotten from top to bottom. It never got below freezing last night and the wind worked the water on top of the ice through the ice column. The lake has even turned dark at this point. Open water could be here within a week if the correct conditions prevail, which they just might.

BTW-Didn't catch anything but saw a pike go by high in the water column.

Kevin Van Dam's DQ Full BassFan Story here.

BP's Take: One thing wrong with the current state of professional bass fishing is the state of rules in relation to violation enforcement. Often the time DOES NOT fit the crime. I don't understand why a disqualification is the default punishment for a rule infraction. A minor rule violation, such as Van Dam's oversight, should not in my mind rob a competitor of the chance to be competitive in a tournament; There are far more creative ways to mete out justice. What about weight penalties? fines? docking a person's blast off time? Instead of being creative and fair they hand out what amounts to a death sentence for a tournament. Hopefully this is something the PAA will be able to redress and get some positive action on.

Also frosting my cookies on this issue is this comment from FishingMinnesota.com Bass Forum.

Why is he such a class act? He was caught CHEATING, whats more damaging to the sport, a stuck up snob that follows rules or someone caught cheating? I like KVD dont get me wrong but he did something that he is not supposed to do period. friendly

KVD did not "CHEAT", he broke a rule or in basketball terminology he commited a foul.

Let us consider "CHEATING" vs. commiting a foul:
Putting lead weights in the belly of a fish, CHEATING! Putting fish in a box or on a Stringer to retrieve, CHEATING! Breaking lake restriction rules in pre-fishing, CHEATING! Culling in a no cull tournament, CHEATING. Blowing through a no wake zone, CHEATING

Forgetting to put your life jacket on, NOT CHEATING! Forgetting to wear the kill switch, NOT CHEATING! Failure to have a ratings plate on your boat, NOT CHEATING! Fishing in a restricted area, NOT CHEATING! provided you don't catch and keep a fish out of the area otherwise, CHEATING! Fishing without a licence, NOT CHEATING! Having a observer hold a branch, NOT CHEATING!

Updated: The KVD DQ cost him Angler of the Year, which he would have won going away. He nearly won it as it was finishing 2nd to Ike.

The Weather: It was a little above normal today even though it was overcast. The forcast is for more of the same the next few days. Hooray. Took Patti and Lilah for a walk on the ice and it was slush city. Finally a good weather day for melting ice.

Reel Problem: Life is sweet when your baitcasting fishing reels are brand new; They are properly lubricated, smooth as a whistle, and everything works. I am hard on my baitcast reels and all of them have too many seasons under their belt. I have several reels that are broken down and all of my reels really could use being being professionally gone over. Most of the working reels have glitches or are in need of cleaning and lubrication, which is something that I don't have a knack for. I've been frustrated a couple of times having paid for service that was less than satisfactory in result, needless to say those places do not get any more business from me.

In addition to that, I have added one more rod to my arsenal than I have working reels. What to do, What to do?

Belated Tournament Report from Last Summer: Team Bass Guy /Gal Tournament Sylvia Twin July 23rd 2005

The Weather: It has turned warmer though still below normal. There is significant open water at the "Grumpy old man hole." It is supposed to be warmer with rain this week. I say, Bring it AAAAWWWWWWWWWWWNNNNN!

Grumpy Old Man Sighting: Last night I scratched that itch and went to the GOMH to do some fishing in above said open water while on my way to pick up dad at the new house. As expected I caught nothing. The water is very low right now. I then went to the East Access to see if anyone was ice fishing Sullivan. Lo and behold there was the grand pooh bah of GOM, Willard was at the access. Apparently he and Lee Ander had been out terrorizing little sunfish for the afternoon. He had a pale full of just big enough to clean one's. I had a good time listening to Willard talk; he had a story about a guy who he nearly saw drown last year and a story about almost getting wet getting off the Gull River.

Gar has been out fishing at a new Bass Hole

From BassFan: Show Me The Money:Veteran Pros Dispute Myth of Fishing Riches
BP comments: Frankly I am not surprized by the fact that all but a select few (KVD, Rick Clunn) have it tough when it comes to making ends meet as a Tour Pro

MN Tournament Fishing Schedule 2006

Hellabass Hypes ST.JUDE'S charity bass tournament- Check it out.

10,000 Hits for the BP- It's about time.

The Weather: Things are finally looking up as the past couple of days up here have still been below average but above predicted. It's supposed to be in the mid to high 40's on Sunday and in the 50's in the middle of next week.

The Blogging: The computer has been acting funny, probably mostly due to a fan that isn't working. I'm also having a problem logging in the my ESPN/Fantasy Bass Fishing information.

Another Big Bass story

This from BassFan:

Kriet bushwacked 3/23/2006
At the recent Rayburn Bassmaster Elite Series event, Jeff Kriet was bushwacked by poachers – hole poachers. Granted he was fishing an area (known as the Deer Stand) that gets a lot of local pressure. But it sounds like courtesy was out the window.

"I slid in there the first day and caught 18 pounds real quick," Kriet said, so he was in a good spot (22nd) in the standings. Locals were watching, and on day 2 he went back and "had no less than 20" local boats with him, he said.

"I figured I'd have some pressure in there, but normally people will back off and give you a little leeway. This was unbelievable. These guys were catching big ones, holding them up and were keeping them all. There were times when I could flip to one guy's boat in the front of me and another guy's in the back of me."

Here's an illustrative anecdote: "This is no lie. I missed a fish, and turned around to get another Senko. I felt my line, and it was kind of frayed. Before I could retie and put another bait on, a guy slid in behind me, fished the same stump and caught that fish.

"It was so bad. I've never been so frustrated in my life. It was unbelievable.

"I had a mental breakdown," he added. "If I hadn't been running a wrapped boat with my name on it and all that, I would've self-destructed."

He said he felt it was pointless talking to the other boats, which apparently were not fishing a tournament. "They were local guys on spring break, and were saying things like, 'Maybe we ought to be in the tournament.'

"It was the most sickening thing I've ever seen in my life," Kriet said. "I should have just left. I shouldn't even have tried to go back in there (on day 2)."

He ended up 59th, less than a pound out of the money. "All I had to do was catch 10 pounds to make 10 grand, and I caught 9," he said.

Bummer Kriet was on my fantasy team.