06-11-2017, 03:06 AM
We all know how slow the bay has been this year, ant today started out the same way! We got on the water a little late, then the wind picked up and we decided to call it after about 2 hours. The funny thing was the only success was accidental when I had the ole 9.9 Johnson at full throttle!
We put the boat in at the North Marina and trolled our way clear out to the island. No love the entire way and figured we were probably going to add another "X" in the skunk column. So after a lap at the island/rock pile, I decided we would buzz over to the feed lot and fish our way to Freeway Bay. This is where it got interesting!
At full throttle on the trolling motor, we were between 12-13 mph. For the ride, I decided to just leave the cranks in the water, rather than reel em in and reset. About halfway between the feed lot and the island, wham! Almost folded the rod in half, but since my boy didn't check the drag, it snapped the line instead. So I figured this was just a fluke and carried on at 12+mph. A minute or two later, the Buzzzz of the drag on another rod started peeling line out. Managed to boat this one and it was a healthy 21" wiper! I was convinced this fish too was also a fluke, so we slowed back to 3mph and trolled unsuccessfully all around the feed lot.
Now the wind and chop was picking so once again, cranked up the 9.9 and headed for freeway bay. About 1/2 the way there, Buzzzzz again! We were also able to land this wiper and it looked like the twin of the first, Another healthy 21".
Now the chop was pretty bad and we were being blown around in circles so we decided to call it quits. Over the last 4 years, today would have been considered a super slow day (except for our trolling speed), but all things considered, 2 fat wipers at 12+ mph wasn't too bad!
So the moral of the story, if you are only looking for wipers and you are worried if 3.2mph is a bit fast...Don't sweat it, you might be as surprised as we were!
(only took the one pic today)
[signature]
We put the boat in at the North Marina and trolled our way clear out to the island. No love the entire way and figured we were probably going to add another "X" in the skunk column. So after a lap at the island/rock pile, I decided we would buzz over to the feed lot and fish our way to Freeway Bay. This is where it got interesting!
At full throttle on the trolling motor, we were between 12-13 mph. For the ride, I decided to just leave the cranks in the water, rather than reel em in and reset. About halfway between the feed lot and the island, wham! Almost folded the rod in half, but since my boy didn't check the drag, it snapped the line instead. So I figured this was just a fluke and carried on at 12+mph. A minute or two later, the Buzzzz of the drag on another rod started peeling line out. Managed to boat this one and it was a healthy 21" wiper! I was convinced this fish too was also a fluke, so we slowed back to 3mph and trolled unsuccessfully all around the feed lot.
Now the wind and chop was picking so once again, cranked up the 9.9 and headed for freeway bay. About 1/2 the way there, Buzzzzz again! We were also able to land this wiper and it looked like the twin of the first, Another healthy 21".
Now the chop was pretty bad and we were being blown around in circles so we decided to call it quits. Over the last 4 years, today would have been considered a super slow day (except for our trolling speed), but all things considered, 2 fat wipers at 12+ mph wasn't too bad!
So the moral of the story, if you are only looking for wipers and you are worried if 3.2mph is a bit fast...Don't sweat it, you might be as surprised as we were!
(only took the one pic today)
[signature]
