Slop Slip First Trip (A Bit of a Trainwreck)

4:00-6:00PM Rock Lake RPRO
58-℉, PC, 0-6mph NE
Water level low.

I got the lettering put on the Slop Slip, and because the winds were light, I thought I would give her a trial run. It could have gone better. I elected to go with the 55lb of thrust Min Kota. I think that is overkill, and it doesn't tighten itself to the boat easily. I found that out when I pushed the boat into the water, and it fell in the lake. Good thing I had the batter terminals attached. I fished it right out, and it worked fine. On the way to the RPRO, I didn't have the troller adjusted right with it being too low in the water. I ran into the log on the bottom at full speed. I was lucky nothing broke.    I then didn't follow my plan of making my way to the beaver dam but drifted/fished my way there. The first thing that happened was a fish swirled on my orange Rocket Bobber; That happened at least a half dozen times.    Shortly after that, I caught the 13 inches. The water level is low. I didn't see much baitfish activity and kept having to pick off weeds. I landed one bass on THE JIg, One on a craw tube, and one on the Poison. I also got a pike on the Poison. Missed a bunch of bites. I never found any concentration of pannies and lost the one for sure sunfish I did have on. The water was pretty clear. It would be really nice if the water level came up 6-inches. Because I was struggling to find the pannies, I turned in at 6PM.

Going Ike in a Coleman Crawdad

Here is my Crawdad:

(Click to enlarge)

Coleman Crawdad's are great little boats for small lakes and bad accesses. I can't believe Ike put a casting deck on one. They are pretty stable, but I would think making it top heavy like that would make it much less so. Maybe Ike's is bigger than a 10fter.

Weather, Notes, and FM.com Whiners

Weather: Sunny and 65. Nice! Allergies were bugging the heck out of me this afternoon. AhhhhChoo! Eyes watering to tears and nose running like a faucet. I finally gave in and took a generic Claritin and now I am Caritin Clear.

Picked up the 2007 fishing licence today, I was going to get it yesterday but both of the local bait shops closed up before 6PM and so I couldn't get it. Today I also ordered a pair of Cocoons Sunglasses from Bass Pro Shops (Thanks Steve and Kim for the gift card). This spring I have been unable to find any of the three pairs of amber polarized Sunglasses that I wore last summer. I believe Cocoons used to be called Fitovers. I had a pair of Fitovers and loved them, then I lost them sometime last year, so it will be nice to have a new pair. I also discovered where the propane Coleman Lantern was plus a 5 gallon bucket/livewell for Spring time Crappies; Yeah for me!

On the down side, my boat mechanic (aka BP's Dad) informed me that I won't be able to use the Trophy (the boat I use) until he inspects and probably does something to fix the transom. I am not totally sure what he thinks is wrong. There is a spot on the back port corner of the boat were there is some cracking on the top of the boat. It doesn't look serious to me, but what do I know. I'm not even sure if that is what Dad is concerned with. With the trophy out of commission I will be forced to use the "Slop Slip" (10' Coleman Crawdad Jon Boat). Out of the slop slip I would probably try some Spring Crappie fishing at Bulldog, something I've not done before.

At FishingMinnesota.com the armchair anglers patrol is out in full force whining about the suspected "targeting" of out of season fish. I look forward to this annual rite of Spring that is the armchair angler patrol crying their eyes out till they are red in the face and steam comes out of their ears about anglers who they suspect of "targeting" out of season fish.

This weekend I sat and watched a boat fish for "slabs" with their plugs. They caught fish after fish and were having a ball...yet not ONE that was the "right" fish. When I finally called them on it "Oh, we are just fishing for big slabs".
At least some people are giving the offending anglers the benefit of the doubt.