Warmin' Up for the Mankato Gathering!

[hanson]

We hit the river last night up in St. Paul to do a little warm up fishing for the Mankato Gathering.

"That Guy" finally stuck a nice fish for the year. Its been a tough year up here so its nice to finally see a nice fish.

Nice little 30 pound Flathead Cat.

Of course I had 3 runs last night that still leave me sitting here shaking my head. 2 runs were absolutely identical with the rod every so slightly loading up. But the way the rod moved was different from every other minute I sat watching it. So I pick the rod up and slowly start pulling line in trying to sense the fish. No thump, no headshake, just thought it was dead weight. When I pulled in about 15' of line or so and still couldn't tell if it was fish so cranked faster to check on my bullhead when thump, thump! It is a fish and gone! Bummer.

The fish in the spot I was casting were obviously coming to shore or moving very little after taking the bait. I know they do this quite often but I can usually feel them but that was not the case this time. Chalk another one up to experience.

From now on, I'm just going to be setting hooks left & right.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Congrats, That Guy! Maybe I should have come with, although the combo of you and I hasn't been too productive this year, so maybe I would have jinxed you

[hanson]

Ralph-

You just have to come along with me. I'm on a roll with having other guys catch fish around me.

Gary- 16, 20lb

Friend Joel- 21lb

Dave- 30lb

Manny & Gary have a couple smaller fish as well.

[Dan Thiem]

Nice one Dave! She's a beauty! Congrats to ya.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Hanson, we'll have to hook up next week. I've got to fill up on bullies, then it's go time.

[Mr Special]

Nice fish Dave,

To bad it had to be when I left. Maybe it's not Manny after all. My bud has never seen a flat over #10, in real life.

[patrickhoepner]

Where was that in St. Paul? I'm kinda new to the flathead scene here in the cities, don't really know where to go. Any advice much appreciated!

[Stratosman]

Nice fish there!

[mplspug]

Nice fish Dave. Glad to see you nail a nice one. I am sure that is just the beginning.

[AQUAJOE]

Sweet I am in good hands this weekend then.

Nice fish!!

[Mrkeb]

Way to go Dave. Nice fish. I guess that makes the 2 misses on wednesday a little less painful eh?? Well, I was planning on heading down there tonight anyways, I guess this confirms that i'll be down there. If you'll be out tonight in that area again, give a ring. Again, nice fish!

[rushing]

Hanson, Aquajoe and I were out all night last night and Hanson managed to hook a 21 & 22lbers. I lost what felt like a nice fish and Aqua had his first flathead run ever and missed the fish. Nice night out!

[DTro]

That's good news Rushing! Should be a good night. I was out last night also and managed a 5 and an 18. Seems like they are still on a pretty good bite. I wish I could've stayed out later, but we got hit pretty hard by a storm.

See everyone this afternoon!