Smallies Anyone?

[hanson]

I couldn't take it anymore!

I've been hearing about the smallmouth fishery at Chequamegon Bay and seeing photos of these sumo smallmouths and had to finally check it out.

The trip started a few months ago when I e-mailed Jim Hudson of Hudson's On the Spot Guide Service. "Come on up," Jim said! Jim is a Fishing Minnesota regular as well as a staffer so I've gotten to know him pretty well online but FINALLY got to meet Jim in person. I can't speak for Jim but it sure fealt like we'd been friends for a long time.

Anyway... You want to know about the fishing perhaps?

My trip started Monday morning at 3:50am in the cities and hit the road with snowmobiles in tow. One wrong turn and a half hour more than planned and I arrived in Ashland, WI. I met Jim at Harbor Bait where I purchased my 2 day great lakes fishing license.

Once on the ice and 30 augered holes later, we were fishing. Still catching my breath from augering holes, Wham!!!, a smallie smacked my bait! I have got to tell you, I wasn't ready for the fight these fish give you. Drag was too tight and I lost the fish on his first good run. "Great," I thought, "That is going to jinx us." And did it ever!! Jim won't like this but he lost the next 3 fish as well. To our defense, the weather really shut the fish down and they were biting very, very light if they did hit.

It took us three moves and another 60 some holes before Jim finally hooked into and LANDED a smallie. This was about 4pm and we'd been fishing since 9:30am. We talked about this on the ice but it just goes to show how persistence and determination can pay off. We had to slow our presentations way down, move alot, and auger alot of holes and it paid off by finally putting a couple fish on the ice.

Here's a shot of Jim's 1st fish landed of the day and my introduction to Chequamegon Smallmouth Bass!

I hadn't landed a fish yet and quittin' time was nearing... "One more hole," I told Jim "and then we can go!" This last hole was interesting since I marked a smallie on the bottom on my Marcum. Of course this had been happening all day and when I dropped my spoon down, the smallie disappeared off of my flasher screen. Well this time, I had tied on a Scenic Tackle Angel Eye, Jr and dropped that down. For those who fish AE, Jr's, you know they flutter off to the side and out of your cone of vision on the flasher. Well that happened on this drop and as I was tightening up my line, I had a fish on and landed my 1st Chequamegon Smallie! Not a big one but it was a smallie and thats what mattered!! The fish totally caught me off guard and Jim too. Great way to end the day!

As we were heading off the lake, Jim said "Tomorrow will be better." I smiled and said it couldn't get much worse.

So we hit the Bay this morning a little bit earlier than yesterday and I yanked a fish right off the bat! Not a smallie but a 15" Coho Salmon. Cool! But not what I was after!

No sooner than I had that fish on the ice, Jim had the 1st smallie of many on the ice! A couple quick photos and it was released. I bet it wasn't even three minutes later and he had another one on! Here's a couple photos of that fish.

Jim proceeded to put on a clinic on catching smallies and I FINALLY got in on the action with a small fish. Shortly after that one, I had another one on and finally got a pig that taped out a tad over 19 1/2 inches.

Remember I said Monday was an exercise in frustration and persistence? Well... This morning's fishing was about as fast and furious as you may find on the Bay! Jim and I combined for 10 smallies and a Coho in about 1-1/2 hours of fishing plus another 4-5 fish that we didn't quite connect with, either lost at the hole or shortly after the hookset.

Here's one more shot with the Arctic Cats. Jim's Bearcat is quite a piece of work. T660 4-Stroke that Cat makes is an incredible little engine and the Bearcat is an amazing fishing machine.

[fisherking01]

Wayyy cool hanson! Ever had a bad day fishing? Me either!

[Dan Brelje]

Sounds like a blast. I could only imagine the fight smallies have under the ice. Great story and photos.

[Dan Thiem]

WOW!! I can't even come up with words that can describe how awesome those pictures are! Them are truly some trophy class fish. You are two very fortunate fellas! That's for sure.

Congrats Chris, you deserved it! Good for you!

[Hecker]

Great story

Sure brings me back to when I was a kid and my Grandpa was still alive. We would hit the Bay every year during xmas break. I wish I could get back out on the bay when I visit my Grandma on the farm.

Thanks for reminding me of my roots. You sure don't know how great it was until it's gone.

Good times

[Captain B.R.K]

Great read Hanson. I know you were hoping to get up there and fish those smallies with Jim. Glad it worked out for you!!

Great pictures!

[Northlander]

Yup them smallies are a blast but can be frustrating. Nice job for your 1st trip down there.

[john.wells]

Looks like a blast! Nice fish, no doubt. I was up there a couple of years ago for my anniversary with my wife and vowed that SOME day I will get up there for some fishing, preferably ice fishing. I don't think this will be the year, maybe next year.....

[CrappieJohn]

Those are some sweet fish Chris. Lake Superior has an outstanding fishery for many species.

It's interesting that which "shore" you fish will almost dictate what you will catch.

The scenery is simply beautiful too.

[marine_man]

Great story and pictures Chris... looks like a great time!

marine_man

[prophet]

sounds like a great time,ultimate persistance,enjoyed the

story,would like to hear more pro staff stories of trips

taken along with the good and bad with each trip,over coming

fronts,weather,poor bites etc,toad was always a good writer

of stories but i havnt seen any in a while

[Scoot]

Thanks for the story- what a great read. Man, I'm sooooo jealous!!!

[witter1631]

Good Read Beatiful Fish..Good fishing

Matt

[outdoor ran]

Good story and nice pix. You got to love them smallies in the bay. They give you a unreal fight and they dont give up. Just when you think you got them they make another run.

[Jim Hudson]

Wow, great story there Hanson!! Was definately a treat to have you up here to enjoy the fishing we have here on Chequamegon Bay. If you havent met Chris yet, do so, as he is an A class person... along with being a pretty darn good stick on the ice!!! Glad to have met him, and certainly will have to give him a clinic a time or two again!!

He did a great job summing up his fishing experience. A definite tough bite all around, with distinct feeding windows, which we definately capitalized on!!

Glad everyone enjoys the photos of these big football smallies that call Chequamegon home. It is definately a treat to have these fish in my back yard, and the opportunity to catch em, winter... spring.. summer.. and fall!!!

[Matt Johnson]

Great story and great pics Chris! Chequamy is a blast!

[tweedlap]

Thanks for sharing your story and your fish. I am wowed. Those fish have such excellent coloring!

Dream Trip.

tweed