Anyone who has fished Mille Lacs in the fall knows what I'm talking about here I'm sure. Off the first break in the 10 - 15 feet of water, you can literally mark thousands of fish in a pass. I've talked to and tried to fish these guys many times, but have never found a consistent bite for these fish out that deep.
Are these fish in a neutral or negative state sitting, waiting for the dinner bell to ring. Then they rush up into the weeds and feed like crazy, then drop back off the break to rest/digest dinner??
I'm concerned the way the bite is starting off this fall, we may not have "typical" fall bite we have come to be blessed with. So, maybe targeting these neutral fish will provide some added action on a slow night?? Just not sure how to approach them. Suggestions?
-------------------- I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.
In places where the first break is a touch deeper, I've popped a few running a stickbait down on 3-3.5 colors of lead, and trolling between 1.5 and 2. Not a ton of bites, but enough for me to know that there are at least SOME walleyes mixed in there.
EDIT: These are daytime results. There are nighttime bites in these areas too, just have to think outside of the box regarding bait selection. I thank Don Hanson for turning me on to these opportunities!
EDIT: These are daytime results. There are nighttime bites in these areas too, just have to think outside of the box regarding bait selection. I thank Don Hanson for turning me on to these opportunities!
Anything more specific, here, that you might be willing to share with us? I have thought about the same thing as we mark tons of fish off of the break at night. We have caught some suspended fish at night when we get off the break, but most come from the edge. We have always run standard stuff, but does anyone have any other suggestions to try?
I've had some tremendous nights fishing off the break trolling a #12 husky jerk with a large split shot or rubber core sinker about 4 feet in front of the crankbait. Those off the break fish seem to be more "catchable" on flat calm nights when the shallow fish just aren't on the chew.
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I have found if you just ride the break line, say just on top - S curving from the deep to shallow - those fish will strap on the feed bag. I honestly believe when it is time to feed, they come up and when they do, it is game on.
Rubbercore and cranks - sounds like something worth a shot!... I thought about running cranks on 1-2 colors of leadcore off to the side on a Church board. Get it down a bit (depending on how deep the marks are, adjusting the length of core), and primarily out to the side... I would assume that the marks over deeper water are less active fish, possibly a little more skittish than the weedline fish (the reason for the boards), but then again I'm no expert... Plus boards might be a huge PITA especially on the nights when the rest of the floatilla is out in force.... Would need to make sure to stay well clear of other boat traffic, or bye bye board, core, and crank!
Anyone else run riggers and cannonballs at night? I would think, in theory at least, that the ball might act as a pseudo attractant - Then vary the stretch to account for fish mood. Same basic idea dipsys, jet divers, or slide divers. Any other interesting or less mainstream methods that you guys have been successful with? Jets and spoons might be my next goto "off the wall" tactic... Works very well in the great lakes, might as well try to get some walleye slime mixed in with my beat up steelie spoons!
Quote: Off the first break in the 10 - 15 feet of water, you can literally mark thousands of fish in a pass.
Suggestions?
Red tail on a Lindy Rig dropped in front of them. I don't care if they are negative or not, very few eyes can keep from chasing a Red tail especially in the fall. It'll cost alittle but the rewards can be big. Just a thought. This is during the day of course otherwise keep fishing late enough they will come up to eat on the flat or take a crank down to them as stated via lead.
-------------------- Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
-Vince Lombardi
Quote: Off the first break in the 10 - 15 feet of water, you can literally mark thousands of fish in a pass.
Suggestions?
Red tail on a Lindy Rig dropped in front of them. I don't care if they are negative or not, very few eyes can keep from chasing a Red tail especially in the fall. It'll cost alittle but the rewards can be big. Just a thought. This is during the day of course otherwise keep fishing late enough they will come up to eat on the flat or take a crank down to them as stated via lead.
I was thinking the same this with the addition of small suckers or larger shiners.
Quote: Off the first break in the 10 - 15 feet of water, you can literally mark thousands of fish in a pass.
Suggestions?
Red tail on a Lindy Rig dropped in front of them. I don't care if they are negative or not, very few eyes can keep from chasing a Red tail especially in the fall. It'll cost alittle but the rewards can be big. Just a thought. This is during the day of course otherwise keep fishing late enough they will come up to eat on the flat or take a crank down to them as stated via lead.
a bit off the subject, but there was a bunch of banging going on last weekend b/c of duck opener, I'm sure puddle jumping can keep you busy till it gets real cold and all the locals move south. Then again a cozy stove and the Captain can sure put a streak of laziness into the bones.
Quote: Who fishes during the day during the full moon?? It's meant for BSing in the parking lot at the Red Door making new friends.
HaHa....Hey Kooty, I'll have to check with Fred and get a room number!! might have to stop by during my lunch (12pm)and see how your doing.......ya won't be sleeping at that time would ya?? Fred said he's pretty busy for the next week or so.... I should be back at the Red Door working on a new pump house. We have a new shower house to build in the fish house area also! Lot's of improvements going on at the resort.
I'll be there Thursday night - Sunday. It would be good to BS a bit if you got time. Don't expect any help on Friday afternoon though. I'll be busy meeting new friends in the parking lot. The other girls in my group tend to take naps then.
-------------------- I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.
We will be there (Red Door) Thur-Sun as well... If you see any guys wearing any sort of (usually red colored) hats, sweatshirts, etc.. that say "D.O.C.", thats us.
One guy in our group is getting a guide tonight, but I'm not sure of the guide's name. They will fish tonight, and the rest of us will meet my friend tomorrow AM, and fish Fri-Sun. Last year we did relatively well for both eyes and ski's, but who knows how this year will pan out... just hoping for good weather and cold beer.
If the fishing is slow, are kegs legal in the boat??? (driver excluded, of course). Since its MN, does it have to be 3.2 beer??? Might have to drown the sorrows, depending on how Bucky does against Penn State on Sat. Between them, the Packers, and the Brewers, last weekend was a killer...
We'll be the guys staying in one of the cabins. We will have a Skeeter 1880 and Ranger Reatta 1850. For a couple beers, I won't even pick on the Pack for dumping #4.
-------------------- I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.
Rogers has been holding his own, so far... The rest of the team hasn't been playing quite like the near-miracle year that was last season.
We will be in a cabin as well. Blue/grey 18' Lund with a black suzuki 140 and T-8... Not exactly sure what the other guys boat looks like (16 or 17' alumicraft??), but if you see anyone that looks like a cross between Brett Bielma and Peyton Manning, but goofier, he's part of our crew. just don't offer him any captain, he we don't let him drink that anymore.
Unfortunately, I will be with Whittsend and I think what he means by "goofy" is NOT scrawny and wusslike. We are having a fish fry on Friday afternoon before the night troll so if you want a piece or 2 stop by. Whitt has the Lund and I will have Crestliner Black/tan. not sure what cabin #. Hopefully I will have a pattern figured out tonight.
nice avatar, joe, but I'm surprised you don't post your Brett-Bielma-wearing-the-badger-windbreaker-look-alike-contest photo.... or maybe the grape ape. That would be much cooler...
joe - any timeframe for the fish fry? 5pm or so tomorrow? try to scratch something daytime fishing, eat, then back for the night... I'll bring that mini heiniken keg that I won at the golf tourney this summer...
Other than the standard night bite stuff, daytime fishing will be all about expirimentation for us... We might throw everything from dipsys to core to jets on boards to livebait at them, see if we can get anything to go... any oddball suggestions are appreciated.
I'm pretty sure I'd get strung up if I showed with the sticks. Been taking crap all summer from this group cuz I golfed a lot more this year than I have ever. Although I've found golf in the fall to be pretty darn enjoyable. As a matter of fact, I've got 9 scheduled right after work tonight.
Where you at from the Door Chomps?
-------------------- I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.
won't be up this weekend, unless I decide differently, my brother has about ten acres not too far from the Door, well almost just north of the fish house lot, you have to use the loop road where you turn to get to the clubhouse. really nice in the woods, we use Doc's Harbor to slip our boats during the day.
First Break Fish
Tim you weren't supposed to tell anyone! 
We are having a fish fry on Friday afternoon before the night troll so if you want a piece or 2 stop by. Whitt has the Lund and I will have Crestliner Black/tan. not sure what cabin #. Hopefully I will have a pattern figured out tonight.
