Anyone get out in the metro today? (10.29.06)

[Slyster]

Was a VERY nice day.. but alas.. I couldn't go out!

Anyone go out and have some results, comments, tips for these late Oct conditions?

I'm just dying to get out.. but now that sunset has just about hit 5pm.. it's going to be impossible exept for weekends.. and what are the odds of any more weekend days like TODAY! Sunny and 55 with low winds. Now that it's November there's no doubt going to be something wrong from now on.. winter storm watches.. ice storms.. sleet...

[SluggoMaster]

I was out yesterday and got zeroed on two lakes. I had them dialed in just two days before, but the water is 43 and I think that is the magic number for a shutdown. I didn't even get a bite all day, which is very odd. I am going to give it another shot this afternoon.

[serpent]

saturday hit one lake caught 7 bass biggest only 19 3/4". then on sunday got blanked on one lake and went back to saturdays lake caught 12 biggest 20". should have went

there right away in the morning.

[ikeslayer]

i got out on sunday only for about an hour at dark and we got zeroed as well. Water temps were 44.4 degrees. The ducks and geese were thick however and they got my blood boiling. ike

[Maximum12]

Blanked as well in the north metro, water temp on the lake we were on was 45 degrees. No one we talked to had so much as a bite either - surprised to see six other trucks in the parking lot!

[Duffman]

Was out walleye fishing up near Cross Lake on Saturday, no 'eyes, but did catch a 18" largemouth on a sucker minner/jig combo in 20' of water. It's getting close to the end.

[LetThemGo]

SluggoMaster,

By shutdown, do you mean from your experience the fall bite seems to end at 43 degrees?

I was out for 4 hours yesterday. Only caught one and only had one bite. Water temp was at 41 degrees (I was a couple hours north of Cities). Cannot figure it out - they were stacked in this spot when the temps were 48 degrees two weeks ago. Did they move, or are they there and just not biting???

Be interesting to hear how others fair this week, as it seems like the bite kind of died over the weekend (except for a skilled few).

Thanks and good luck if you make it out.

[pondhopper]

I also went out Sunday, targeting bass. Only caught two little northerns in three hours.

[SluggoMaster]

I believe they really shut down when the temps get below 43. I was reading the other day that they only need to eat every 12-14 days in very cold water. The fish are in the same areas, but not biting.

[Ole the Guide]

I agree. I went out today and we caught two and lost a couple. Very soft bites. With the front coming in we were hoping to nail em' but it didn't happen!

I think the water got too cold too fast. I believe this cold water temp is about 2 weeks ahead of time. The last couple of years I was having great outings through the first week of November but now it seems as though Sluggomater has hit the nail on the head.

Where's my auger??

Ole

[Slyster]

[PoorWordUsage]! Almost time to put the boat away eh?

[jalberg]

It's not over yet. Numbers may be down, but the potential for big fish is still high.

[Slyster]

SUNDAY (Nov 5th)! LOOKS like it might be almost 60! I'm going out to WBL for one last fling. I'll post what I find.

[Maximum12]

I'll be out with a few other guys next Wednesday for our last hurrah...let's hope those weather forecasting folks have it right this time!

[jalberg]

I'll be out tomorrow (Sunday the 5th). The Lake I plan on going to had partially frozen over, but I think it will melt off this afternoon. Hopefully I can find a few of the big gals hanging around the remaining weed edge. The Ice is really early this year. I'm not happy. I caught fish on November 20th last year and the 19th the year before.

[Aaron Carrell]

Well I got out yesterday (11-7-06) for my final outting in the metro area anyways of the year (still hoping to hit the mighty Miss. these next 2 weekends in LaCrosse, WI). Anyways, had a slow afternoon, fished 2-5pm on Bryant Lake in Eden Prairie. Main reason just due to convenience and a time saver cause of these awful daylight hours. I work right across the street (literally) so who can complain about that?

The results? Friend in the boat got a 15.5" Walleye on a perch crank in 8'ish feet of water. And bout 30 mins later, I got my one and only fish seen below.

That fish was 20.25" @ 4lb 10oz on my digital scale. I can't complain, but it was still a slow evening. He hit on a blue/black Bitsy Bug jig with a flourescent yellow trailer in around 6-7' of water. Boy were they sluggish biting though. I could barely feel him, even on my St Croix (ML, X-Fast), but then again, I missed 2-3 other really light bites throughout the afternoon that just weren't holding onto the lure. We tried just about everything though all over the lake as well, and to no avail. Cotton-Cordell cranks, 2 chatterbaits, chart. spinner, and even a husky-jerk. Finally the slow paid off. Anyways, good luck to anyone who braves the cold thats to come. Last night's weather was awesome and today is as good as it gets for early November.

Just for a little bit of viewing enjoyment also, check out a few more of the fish that myself and others in my boat got this year at my personal gallery. Feel free to comment too plz! Aaron's Fishing Gallery

[Duffman]

I got out last night, one bass 18" on a powerworm. I was expecting the skunk. One more try this evening as I get ready to put the boat away for a winters nap.

[Jig Master]

I was out on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and caught em' good. Tuesday was 7 largies with five of them over four pounds. Wednesday was smallmouth fishing and we got five between a buddy and me. Thursday I again caught seven largies with five of them over four. They were biting the jig really light, but once they hit they would really make some fast runs!