Big Sandy Journal

[CrappieKeith]

Seeing as that I'll be on BSL for most of the year I thought it to be a good idea to put all of my BSL trips in 1 place,ergo the journal.

It's looking like there will be groups on Sat.& Sun.
I'm sure that the cold air has made ice all week. We 7" of ice last Saturday,but then it snowed & snowed and snowed.
I was not looking forward to a bunch of slush this weekend ,but if it's there we will just have to deal with it.
I'll report back a.s.a.p. with the report at the end of both days.
Other than that I've been making jigs all week getting ready for this weekend.
Work has been a grind,therefore tommorow will be a nice respite from the past week.
Here's wishing all of your lakes are safe and your fishing is good.

[Illinoisgiller]

Sounds like a good time weekend comming on Keith. Sometimes those small gatherings can be a blast. Put the word out for someone to bring the grease. lol Fish lunch on the ice is tough to beat.:icon_cool::icon_cool: Mike

[CrappieKeith]

It is a good time.
So who'd do the cooking.Most guys I know ...well let's just say ya can't get them off of their hole.

[gofish]

what area do ya fish most on big sandy?

[CrappieKeith]

1st the fishing report.
The high pressure has done it again.
Who does a guy have to talk too to get below 30 barometer readings anyway for the weekends.?
Sure we have been catching fish ,but they are coming so tough to come by.
I'm beside myself. Move,move,move trying to find schools is near immpossible and when I do find the fish they are all small which is normal with a high pressure.
I had 4 guys...Phill,Jim,Johhny & Slushy up from Iowa and for the life of me I could not get them into the quality fish I know were there,but thet just were not feeding well.
Every once in awhile a nicer one gets caught.
Here's George once again with a nice slab.As you can see he's using T.H.E. Jig.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/08iceseason050.jpg
Here's Jim watching the tip ups.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/08iceseason046.jpg
This is Matt who I met on the ice.
They said the day before when the barometer was 29.6 they pounded some very nice fish.
My luck ....a day late and a dollar short.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/08iceseason047.jpg
Fri. night we hit another lake after the day bite on BSL.
We manged several 8" crappies.Not what I was looking for ,but there was some action.
Here was the sunset.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/08iceseason037.jpg
Sat. was the last day we fished.
We hit several spots on this day with not much to show for our efforts.
I think about 10 fish were caught all day between 5 people.
Johhny & I had 7 between us.
Here's Jonny with the big fish of the day.
It was sorta the stamp on the day.
I a big fat eelpout.Go figure.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/08iceseason051.jpg
They used minnows of all sizes and waxies.
I used T.H.E. Jig and not bragging,just making a point.
I caught as many fish as the 4 of them.
This does not mean they are bad fishermen.Not by any means.
They were a blast to fish with and knew what was what.
Downsizing was the key.
It was too bad they came that far for the kind of treatment Big Sandy is know for dishing out.
I hope they had a better day today on the Big Pond.

[gofish]

jus wonderin what section ya fish in cause i found a topo map.......love the bottom contour......got nice smallies in it too i read

[CrappieKeith]

I'll fish all over the lake.Yes, there are some nice smallies.

[gofish]

now im really bout ta cry cause i cant make this git together ........walleye an smallies both:sad0002:

[Illinoisgiller]

Is there a smidigon of a chance that some ole feller might happen on to a decent gill on Big Sandy? :confused0024: lol :icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin: Mike

[CrappieKeith]

Yes there is.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/HPIM1117.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/HPIM1369.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/HPIM1349.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/HPIM1336.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/HPIM1193.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/HPIM1168.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/HPIM1064.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/HPIM0969.jpg

[Timotha7]

LOL Keith
I would bet that Mike is on his way north right now!

[gofish]

size of them gills long with the crappie shows a well balanced fishery.....what kinda bottom composition ya got there?....weedbeds and rockpiles?

[CrappieKeith]

sand and some mud.

[Illinoisgiller]

Nice looking gills Keith!! Not on my way north though------------YET!!:confused0024: lol
Don't tag those gills as safe. I'm not used to fishing the type lakes you have up there on ice, but hope to figure it out. Mike

[GOT_A_Fish]

now im really bout ta cry cause i cant make this git together ........walleye an smallies both:sad0002:

did I miss a post somewhere as I love to Ice Fish and would love to go up north and slay some of them nice crappie, gills, perch and eyes. Are you guys headdin up to MN? cause if ya all are i'd love to join in iff there is room and dependin on the dates?

Huntin season is about wrapped up here in Illinois time to swich gear and head back to the water with rods that don't go boom.

[CrappieKeith]

I believe a guy should talk with Schoe.
I've got room for 4. Jan.3rd through the 6th.

[CrappieKeith]

Rick & I got out about 2.It was late but it did not matter.A guys gotta wet a line .
We caught several eaters.Here's Rick best one which was the nicest of the day.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/08iceseason052.jpg

As we broke down i shot the sunset.It was gorgous!
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/08iceseason053.jpg

[Soupy_1us]

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p115/Soupy_1us/atwork3kt.gif Why......... are.....they......having......all.....the.......fu n......!!!!!!

[CrappieKeith]

That's my job Soup!
Besides ,I'm on a mission to get guys a fish'n.

[CrappieKeith]

I'll be hitting the lake in 1 hour.Mallard is driving up from south of MilleLacs, he said his buds down there don't wanna go ice fishing.Well that was easy too drag him up here.
The pressure is 29.79 and I have a bucket full of hope for a great day as this low front swings through.
I think this may be a jynx,knock on wood.We should hammer those mules today!
Why is my blood racing?DOH!

[CrappieKeith]

The horn has been tough and it's awefully slushy.10" of ice though.
I'm going to try the narrows and the upper main part of the lake this weekend.
I have 2 guys in 1 group and 2 other singles stopping in for the weekend.
Last weekend was a dissaster.
The big storm,windy and a frozen 4wheeler tire.
Dang was it a biotch!
I should have stayed to the packed trail.
I've beat myself up over the rookie move ,but if anyone else wants to pile on.......
Have at it.
I can catch small fish by the hundreds.I'm trying to pattern those mules though which takes some trying.

[Illinoisgiller]

Gee Keith, can't beat on yourself for searching for the lunkers.
But if we didn't get on the small ones sometimes, you wouldn't know what a lunker is. :confused0024: lol
Folks up there don't go on the hunt for mid winter large gills to often do they?
Gill fillets for supper here tonight. Good eatin.:party0045::party0045: Mike

[CrappieKeith]

I got a few spots if that's what you want.They run 8-10 inch average with some that'll tip the tape at 12"

[Illinoisgiller]

Keith, I'm not looking for anything in particular. I plan to "go with the flow'. We'll have a good time. I've found that a positive attitude will usually result in a positive experiance. :icon_cool::icon_cool:lol

[CrappieKeith]

Heck with that.....where's those freakin mules?
Just kidding,I'm glad you feel that way ,however I feel like I need to get you guys on some quality fish.
That's just how I work.Little fish are easy.I want you guys to see some quality fish for the drive you'll be making.

[CrappieKeith]

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/th_08iceseason064.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/?action=view&current=08iceseason064.flv)
We had a great weekend of fishing.The bite on BSL is still tough so we went to another lake and drilled 4 limits of crappies and a few nice gills.
Here's a new bud.....BerkleyBoy.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/08iceseason060.jpg
Here's Nick showing me a smaller eye his Dad caught just before it went down the hole.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/08iceseason063.jpg
This is a nicer gill caught on Sunday.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/08iceseason070.jpg
Here we are just getting on this small lake Sunday morning.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/08iceseason068.jpg
Here's Berkley Boy showing Nick how we punch holes.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/palisade1kid/08%20ice%20fishing/08iceseason069.jpg

[Schoe]

Keep up the good work Keith as we will be there Thurs. PM.

Thanks for the photos. Schoe

[CrappieKeith]

I'm counting the days.
Make sure you guys put some bedding together.
my son will be joining us plus Kevin Dahlke from Catch-n.
and 1 of his buddies.Kevin now resides in Ma.,but has family in our area and being that he'll be here he wanted to "hook up" with CK.
He uses my jigs too and loves them so it's looking like we should have a blast on the ice.

Now I gotta find me a cook ! j/k

I should have your jigs done by the time you get here too.

[Illinoisgiller]

Keith, That is a small lake? Doesn't look like the far side is too close to me. lol
I'm assuming we won't be driving Schoe's vehicle out to the fishing spot. If it were mine I can guarentee you we would not put it on the ice.:confused0068:
That gill the lad is holding looks to be a nice one.
I already planned to bring a sleeping bag and require ony floor space.
I think we might be able to find a cook--More like a chef.

[CrappieKeith]

That lake has much bigger gills in it if I can find them.
I've seen some guys drive the vehicles out.....not this kid.
With all of the slush we had I do not trust the ice .A quad is a different story.
We have a good 15" of ice so you only need 5-6 inches for a quad to be safe.

[berkleyboy]

I can see it now. Everyone is all reaved up and ready for a weekend of hard fishing with the hopes of finding the big ones. I tell you what, you are all in for a treat. Keith is an A-1 class act and will make your weekend of fishing a true pleasure as he knows his fishing. I had a great time this past weekend with him and learned some new techniques as well. I would love to be up there with you guys but I am getting ready for a tournament on Spirit Lake. I have T.H.E. JIG arsenal on hand and hope to really make an impact with T.H.E. JIG fishing gills. Cory Sornson (berkleyboy)

[CrappieKeith]

I wish I was down there ,but you've got her down BerkleyBoy!
Good luck on that contest.
Don't be afraid to pull out the fur!
Kick some hiney!

[berkleyboy]

I spent alot of time today thinking about my game plan and how I should fish the tourney. I have all the clear water JIGS ready in my new box and even the special ones are lined up for action. There are several pros fishing this year so it could be very interesting but I am going to the show with T.H.E. JIG "Totally Hot Everyday". I wish you guys the best of luck up North Keith and I hope that you find those slabs!! Cory Sornson (berkleyboy)

[CrappieKeith]

I will be unrelentless this weekend being able to be mobile and warm weather.
Good luck against those PROS.
they put their pants on 1 leg at a time just like you do and since you've got a great bait and have the know how I'd think your chances of placing well are just as good as their's is.