Dock In Today

 

I assisted Todd with getting the toys ready for summer. Mabel was disappointed she would not be getting a boat ride today. Fishing was not on Todd's to-do list, as he needs to get a license. I did have a small pike take a swipe at the swim jig I was throwing from the dock.

Trophy In Platte Lake May 12th

 Put the trophy in Platte Lake today and made a last-minute decision to put the deep cycle in the boat and go for a short fishing trip. At least I think that is how things worked out several months later.   

Fantasy Roster Lay Lake

 

Day 1, don't mean jack squat, but this team has potential.

Trophy In At Rock Lake

 

I didn't go fishing at Rock Lake today. Just put her in for a quick spin then took her out due to impending rain. There was Crow Wing Sherrif investigating an abandoned boat when I arrived at the Rock Lake Access as well as a pontoon boat that was just coming out. I fished Rock out of the trophy the next day.

Trophy Story:Took A Very Short Trip Today

 I slept in today. That resulted in me getting a late start on prepping the boat for the maiden voyage of 2023. Mom met the ram that was born at 2 am while I got the boat prepped. I drove her back home and grabbed the rest of the stuff I didn't bring on the first trip. I left the house the second time after 5 pm. Radar made it look like I had until about 6:15 to have the boat out of the water so I didn't get drenched. I made the executive decision to skip fishing and just take it for a quick spin on Rock Lake. When I arrived at the Rock Access, there was a pontoon getting ready to be taken out and a Sheriff's Deputy investigating what may be an abandoned runabout. I talked to the Deputy for a minute as I got launch ready, and by the time I was done with that, the pontoon was out of the water. I back down. The motor started right up. I dumped her in and idled for a couple of minutes, then got her up to speed, headed back to the ramp, and pulled it out. 

If I had a do-over, I would have taken the Trophy out fishing on Rock on Monday night; The weather was nice, and the fishing at the Grumpy Old Man Hole was slow. I wanted to take the Trophy out but stayed with the security blanket, which could have been more comforting, with the slow fishing telling me I made a poor choice the whole evening. About forty minutes into fishing, I almost bagged it and went for the boat. I should have gone with my gut. Water under the bridge, which resulted in me getting skunked today because I didn't catch a fish in the half hour I fished at the Grumpy Old Man Hole today.

Really, skunked at the GOMH in May with a front moving in, ridiculous!

MN Fishing Opener Is Coming, Outlook A Week Out

 

It looks like it is setting up to be a banger. Due to the late ice off, I haven't had the Trophy in the water yet, and my tackle is still in its winter chaos state. The plan is to fish Rock Lake no later than Tuesday and get any bugs worked out. I think I will have it in the water on Platte Opener morning, but that may not happen. 

As far as my tackle goes. I will move it to the basement and do my organizing down there. In the past, I did most of my tackle organization when the parents were down in Florida. They didn't go this year, so I am running well behind. I don't know when I will get to it, as the iron will probably be hot, so my priority is to strike, not organize. But some organization in prep for Opener has to happen.

My plan for Opener is once again to fish off of Eddy's Jetty at midnight. My guess is that it is going to rain, but the fish will be there and biting. I'll probably hit the Grumpy Old Man Hole next. What I do with the Trophy is up in the air right now. My brother Todd might come up on Friday night. A lot to nail down yet. Thunderstorms would put a damper on things.

Has A Tipping Point Been Reached On Mn Closed Bass Season

 

Click here to take the survey

At long last, the MN DNR is considering doing away with a closed bass season and going to catch and release outside of the open season for bass. Michigan did it, then Wisconsin did it. Minnesocold will hopefully do the right thing. 

Rock Dock Is In!

Picture taken 5/3 morning

 I didn't have a vehicle yesterday due to Mom's ill-fated trip to Brainerd that resulted in her faceplanting at Walmart. Dad and I drove up in the Escape after Kim came and got us. I didn't get home to 11PM. All of that to say, I didn't check the Rock Dock on the 2nd when the dock went in.  

When Will Rock Dock Go In?

5/1/23 Morning

Odds of the Rock Dock being in the water every day this week are 50/50. Rock Dock was not in when I went to Rock in the evening on May 1st. No weeds, no bites. The Rock Dock may or may not allow me to reach some weeds. Rock has been a bust in the last few years due to a lack of vegetation near the access..

 

My Tackle Warehouse Is Open

 Finally got around to opening the Tackle Warehouse this Spring. I was disappointed to discover I only have two regular-size Hot-N-Tots, which can be spied in this picture if you are eagle-eyed; I also have one of the big size H-N-T's. Also located some of my Jitterbugs, I think I have some in the house as well.