Help for a returning fisherman? (Lake Minnetonka)

[MrHudson]

Well, to start off I would like to say, this is my first post as a new member here at HSO. You see I only recently re-discovered my passion. As a child I was lucky enough to be born into a fishing family and that continued on through about seventh grade. I fished every single day I could in my youth, mainly with an old friend; my first fishin buddy you could say. But unfortunately I got caught up in other things into H.S. and college and fishing fell by the wayside. That is until last opener (10') when a friend of mine asked me to come out on Long Lake with him. We spent a bit under 10 hours in the rain over the night and into morning only to be skunked and sent home embarrassed. The silver lining however was that the bug bit me again. Immediately I was back into fishing. I dusted off my old poles and re-organized my tackle. I spent every extra penny I could on fishing, and every day last summer making time for at least an hour, many times much more (thanks in part to our job market). So finally yesterday I bought an old Lund to fill the small dock I have on Tonka. I guess that really was just a lot of intro to this question I was hoping to ask anyone who knows Minnetonka.

I caught a fair number of fish last summer but only because of the amount of time I spent with my line in the water. Has Tonka really gotten worse or am I just extremely rusty? I spent most of my spring throwing mepps over weed beds and had pretty good luck but when middle June rolled around I spent the rest of the summer trying everything I knew with the only real successes coming from top waters in the shallows just after 9am or so. And this was all with the help of my buddy who admittedly doesn't know Tonka but is at minimum a decent fisherman. Any help for next season?

My dock is on Smithsbay and I am really trying for some Pike even though most of my experience is with Largemouth. Oh, and one last thing. We went to Vermillion this last summer for a week long camping/fishing trip and caught more Northern and Smallies than I ever have, I just don't understand.

Any advice as long as it isn't negative would be greatly appreciated.

-- dazed n confused

[PerchJerker]

Welcome to HSO.

I fish Tonka quite a bit in the summer, and last year the pike (for sure the big pike) were a lot deeper than "normal" years , at least in my opinion. Part of it was that I fished the east end more and the water is clearer over there, but even on the west end the pike seemed deeper. We use rapala DT-16s a lot for pike -- they go 16 feet deep. There's a big difference between that and throwing spinners over the top of the weed beds.

For weedy metro lakes like Tonka I think weedlines -- either the deep weedline or the shallow inside weedline. Both can be good for bass or pike.

Hope that helps a bit, and good luck.

[MrHudson]

Thanks for the welcome

I should have been more specific about my fishing. I wasn't working spinners over weed lines during late summer, just in mid to late spring. Pretty much as the Pike stopped biting on the dead rigs. But my problem came around mid-late June. I was mainly trying 3/4oz spinnerbaits along the deeper weedline outside channels and around points so you're for sure correct, I should have been much deeper. I have a few DT-16's so if I run into the same problem I'll for sure keep that in mind. What I found weird was that most of our larger pike came from either trolling through channels or from hitting the shorelines in the morning with top waters. Either way I should have probably just stuck to my fishing habits and cut out the back story. I need to restrain myself from dreaming of next season!!

Again thanks for the advice and welcome, Tonka's just "unique" I guess. I'll dial it in next year.

[PerchJerker]

my problem came around mid-late June. I was mainly trying 3/4oz spinnerbaits along the deeper weedline outside channels and around points so you're for sure correct, I should have been much deeper

We troll spinnerbaits a lot for pike --- big spinnerbaits that will get down deep --- smallest are 3/4 oz, all the way up 1.5 or even 2 oz. This year that worked good through early-mid June but after that they really died off for us this year. We kept looking deeper and deeper --- weedlines close to steep breaks, weedlines close to deep water, weedlines that form a distinct wall, etc. --- and eventually got back on them. The biggest we boated this year was a 38 incher, caught casting a deep crankbait near a weedline wall.

[pikedreams]

First of all wellcome, and wellcome back!

Tonka has changed but only for the better. I like you landed here A.M (after milfoil) and have been guiding on the lake now for twenty years. The days of the 8 foot weedline are long gone. The new reality is milfoil, and 18 to 21 foot weedlines. Spring is still the same but by early summer it's all about thoose deep weed edges.

Wherever you caught fish before just move out. Find and edge and work it. Find that spot on a spot and drill it. Their still there they just have a new frame of reference.

[MrHudson]

Awesome, I'll keep working on finding that deep water next June, any advice on where to find those 1.5 oz spinnerbaits? I got the 3/4oz at Wayzata Bait&Tackle but I think that is the largest they had. Great guys though I try and support them as much as I can. And Pikedreams you sure are right about the milfoil, the water was the clearest I had seen it in years early last spring then BOOM, the entire lake exploded with that stuff. I guess I gotta just play the hand I was dealt and adapt, thanks for helping me out!

Maybe I should build an icehouse to occupy my mind!

[solbes]

I'm no expert on Tonka, but agree 100% with pikedreams. I catch plenty of pike trolling outer deep weedlines from late June though late August. Usually best in late afternoon, early eveneing. Speeds vary depending on their mood and lake, but 2.4-3.0 mph seem best. Sometimes they want it 3 feet from the bottom, sometimes it's best to be in the prop wash if they are up high. My favorite lures for catching pike are Rapala deep husky 12's, large shad raps (8's and 9's), tail dancer deep 9's, and Salmo Hornet 6F's. You can get the Precision Trolling book for $40, or get find the older Rapala trolling guide (couple of bucks on $$bay). That will give you a very good idea of where your lures are at for various line lengths.

I was kind of the same way. I liked going fishing as a kid with my Dad and pretty much quit from high school onward. I even lived in Spooner Wisconsin for 6 months for an internship and did not pick it back up (smacks head!!). After college was when I fell in love with it again. Good luck on your renewed adventures.

[MrHudson]

Thanks solbes, great advice. I am for sure going to get a copy of the Precision Trolling book (or pick up the Rapala one depending on $) and put some shad raps under the tree.

[EBass]

Don't forget about big ol bass jigs for pike on those deep weed lines as well. Caught many o pike on Tonka going for bass only to catch pike. I must say that the biggest pike I've caught on Tonka was ice fishing in the shallow weeds using a XXL shiner minnows back when we could get them.