Report- Pike has a bad outing

[Mr. Pike1]

Well, I met up with my fishing partner of many many years to hit a piece of the Mississippi river that over the years we have simply pounded the smallies and eyes.

We each checked out of work a bit early on Thursday and the weather was perfect. We added a third guy to the boat and as we launched I made the prediction 3 guys in the boat we should have a 60-80 fish evening. Big mistake as soon as the words were uttered the cry was thanks for Jinxing us pike.

We attached the shady rocks with Senko's and tubes and to my horror not smallies, just a couple of rock bass. We then hit other premier locations with a host of top waters, spinners, you name it they were just not on fire. We got into a few 16" ers but it was slooooooowwwww.

We went up rivee to fish the wood. The wood was okay and 5 or 6 fish were taken but nothing over 16. I did however manage a 17" walleye on Mr. Senko.

We then went up river to to current. More action but the size was small.

We finally figured out a bit of a pattern the fish were hanging on the deeper break lines in 10-14 feet. By this time, time was not on our side and we called it a night.

Pike did not get the 20-30 smallmouth I anticipated to help hit the 1,000 bass mark Dietz has as the bar for the year. He ended up with 7 smallies, 3 rock bass (one dang near to to 2lb state record mark), and one eye.

I am going back on Sunday to a different stretch of the river simply known as "the crotch" this is an area were quality rules and many 20-22" football sized pig smallies have been had. It also is an area that supports outstaning walleye fishing and I may need to bring one or two of these home for the pan to keep the wife happy.

I will be going to the cabin on Vermillion over the 4th and for the entire week of July 10th for 7 full daysa on the water. I am at the 125 mark for Bass this year but have a goal of 50 smallies each day on Vermillion and a ton of walleye as well.

I will hit the 1,000 fish mark easily this summer but that will include Pike, Musky, smallies, Largies, walleyes and if needed I will mix in the panfish but I will be part of the 1K club !!!!!

[ocf]

I hit some docks about 1/2 mile of em and caught 6 bass 4 10"er's,1 12"er, and 1 15"er and this was in 10 minutes on ida, it started to rain and i went in but it was good fishing, finally got a hang to the trolling motor today

[Deitz Dittrich]

I'm strugglin too.. I added 12 to the clicker today.. 146 total.. that 1K is looking a long ways away. But its still a long way till ice on!

[DeathRoe]

Man, i didn't know you had to count your bass on a clicker to feel good. I guess i've just lost count. Seriously, i only really keep track of 17"+ fish. If we're counting, i'm at probably 15 or so 20"+ fish, all smallies except 1 largie i got last weekend.

[Mr. Pike1]

I can not speak for Deitz but I am happy all the time I am on the water. Just counting for fun

[Deitz Dittrich]

it was more something I was doing for fun this year.. I wanted to know how many I have caught by season end...

I'm always having a good time on the water.!