Big Morning Bigger Afternoon

Sam & Garret were with me this morning looking for a few big bites. We were going to try our luck at sturgeon and hopefully it would all work out! We headed to the area in a very light mist that fortunately was about to end. All I was concerned about was the winds that would be following and hoped we would have enough time to get it done!

I idled over the spot and found a few smaller marks where I thought we’d see big ones. Desperate to get them into sturgeon, I decided to try regardless and set the lines to await the first bite. As predicted, it was a small sturgeon and Garret reeled it in. He also managed to get another fish but this one was a walleye. Shortly after however I set into a much heavier fish and Sam took the rod to do battle with a bigger one. This fish peeled line from the reel like it was a giant but I knew better. Five minutes later it was in the net and Sam had officially added another species to his list.

We made a move and were set up on another place when I noticed one of the rods getting bit. I cranked down on the reel and was immediately tight to a good one! This time Garret took the rod and began the long fight! This fish didn’t want to move much at first but soon after, it took to the air and I knew it was big. He would have his work cut out for him on this one!

Plenty of runs were made as the fish wanted to remain on the bottom. Too bad it couldn’t make up its mind as it went from one side of the boat to the other multiple times. Garret had to do the sturgeon shuffle often so as not to hit the motor with the line. Eventually after ten minutes or so, he managed to bring the fish up for me to net. It was going to be a tough one to hold!

Fortunately Garret was able to pick up the beast and we shot several pics of his catch before releasing it back into the water. I was glad that they had both landed a good one but wasn’t sure if we would be able to remain here much longer. The winds had started with the clear skies and it would only be getting worse!

We hadn’t been set up for more than a few minutes when I realized that it wasn’t going to work. I quickly packed everything up and switched to another species and technique to finish off their trip. We were going to try a little open water drifting with these winds and hopefully catch a few more fish!

The lake was getting big now and the drifts we made over the open water were fast. Fortunately they were able to hook into a few fish before we had to head back. Garret nailed a nice walleye that unfortunately fell off right at the boat and Sam managed to get a good sized pike. He also had a few other bites and something with substantial size that came off as well before we were done. I had an afternoon couple next and needed to pick them up soon!

As we ran back I realized that the winds had gotten much worse and wasn’t looking forward to the afternoon. It wasn’t going to get any better!

Sam & Garret had a great time this morning with their first ever sturgeon and finished with a bang! Jim & Marie were next and I only hoped that they would be having as much luck with the bass in these giant winds. I told them to put their rain gear on and we headed out in the big winds and waves to an area far from the ramp. I thought we could be somewhat protected where I wanted to go and made the long run first!

They began by tossing blades to find the fish but this definitely didn’t seem to be what the bass wanted. Several followers and short strikers were all we could find. I soon switched them to soft plastics and slower moving baits to finally get the first fish on the board. Marie landed a two pounder that was quickly released! She soon followed it up with a fish over twice the size and this one was photographed before being let go. She was in the zone now and managed plenty more bites as well as fish from the same area. Jim on the other hand was having a much harder time getting bit but that was all about to change!

I held the boat spot locked in the area and tried several different baits. The cold front conditions had the fish in a very negative mood and the slower they could fish, the better it was. Eventually Jim got into a few fish and all was good!

I really didn’t want to leave this area where we were and covered it thoroughly with slow moving baits. Both Jim & Marie managed to get several more fish from here before we were convinced that it was time to go. With not many options or time left, I decided to hit the open water and see if they could catch a few fish from the deep spot I had tried earlier today.

We ran in bigger waves than we had come out in and I had to tack a few times in order to get there safely. They were three to five footers at times and it looked more like Lake Ontario! I was going to attempt a drift in the adverse conditions regardless!

We made 3 or four passes, quickly and despite our attempts at catching more fish, it wasn’t to be. Jim did have several shots at something but wasn’t able to keep them pinned. It was officially time to pull the plug on today!

The run back to the ramp was epic with giant waves from the wind. I’m sure I would have swamped the boat several times if it wasn’t the Ranger! Fortunately we stayed safe & dry all the way in!

Both trips today were successful, despite the weather and everyone had a good time. I only with that the winds could have been a bit lighter, so that I could have moves around more. With any luck tomorrow will bring better conditions and I’ll be able to get to all the places I couldn’t today. I know it couldn’t get much worse!