What do you look for in a spear and decoys?

[spearingboy]

Hey Mike. May I ask what you're smoking??? Were you using a live decoy or wood? I plan to go out tomorrow, I don't know how early but I'm going out for sure. I'll let you all know how I do. Mike what time of the day were you out?? Thanks for the report!-Brett

[Elusive Wally]

Hey Mike89,

how much ice is out on Lake Osakis, both down by town, and up on the north end? thanks

[Mike89]

Spearing Boy, I was shallow, around 5 feet of water. The open water was only 50 yards from us, it was middle to late afternoon. I was using a decoy made by Dennis Bertram, they have the big lips and work very well!! Didn't make it out today because I had the smoker going again. yesterday was pheasants, today ducks and venison. Did some back staps cured like a ham and some hinds. All I can say was WOW when they were done and being sampled!! If I make it over to Pauls this winter I'll bring you some!! Elusive Walleye, I wish I could say what is on the big lake but am not sure. I do know the ice is growing around the lake, but with the forcast for this weekend I would be very carefull of the ice. I live on a small lake and have had some ice for a few days now. Hollar if you want more info!!

Spearing Boy, good luck this weekend and let me know!!!!!! PS tell your Dad hi.

[spearingboy]

Hey Mike. That smoking business sounds really good! I've never had and ducks or venison smoked but have heard good things and would love to try it sometime. I sat 3 hours on saturday in the afternoon and saw two fish that both came in quick, hit the decoy, and swam off. Both smaller fish around 22". Then went to a different lake (Bass Lake west of town) and speared in 8 ft of water. Sat for 3 hours again in the afternoon and saw 3 fish. I speared one that was 26" and then had another come in hit the decoy and swim off quick. Then I had one come into my spinner that was probably 23" or so. I already had one and figured I'd just play with this one. So, I pulled my spinner up and he followed it. I kept pulling it up slowly and he kept following. I had just the head of my spear in the water probably down 4-5" and he came so close he hit his head on my spear and then swam off. I could've reached down and grabbed him. It was pretty cool! Cutting the hole was pretty nice with only 3" out there! Back to school this week but plan to go out again this weekend. Have fun smoking!

[Fish Toys]

spearingboy sounds like maybe your heart was pumping a little. Did the northern come in at the speed of sound and scare the dickens out of you? What kind of spinner are you using. Also how is the water clarity?

I'm glad this thread is growing each day for the people that do spear or are interested in the sport. I haven't been out on the ice for years fishing being the ice season is our busy season especially before Christmas. OK people keep the reports coming

[psegriz]

Was out yesterday saw fish the whole time I's out. 28 northern seen stuck two, bass ? how many I seen,perch, sunnies, crappies. Real fun day, went through 13 live decoys. Every pike that come in hit it and real hard only wrecked two decoy harnesess (sp). It might seem like alot of activity but this lake on first ice is normally like this. Another couple weeks and you'd be lucky to see a fish there. Like I posted earlier I think smaller lakes tend to have more agressive fish. Could be wrong but who cares it is fun, just be quick with the stick.

BTW Had 3 northern in the hole at one time. Those were the only ones that didn't hit my decoy. Something a little bigger come and hit one of them. No I didn't get him. Wasn't quick enough. IT WAS FUN

[RussDaBuss]

Fun hearing you guys that got out. Not enough ice around St. Cloud yet for me. Soon!!!!! I have also had fish follow the decoy all the way to the top of the water. Now that is fun to see. I have even had walleyes close to the surface.... Good luck and be safe!

[spearingboy]

Some came in quick and left quick others just glidded in real smooth. It is quite a rush when they do come in fast though! The water clarity is o.k. It's not the greatest but I can see weeds on the bottom in 8ft. The spinner I'm using has two small daredevils on it without hooks of course. I bought it at Oars and Mine in Crosby. It's called a fish Teazer I believe. I've seen them around at bait shops. It just runs on a D battery and seems to work pretty well.

Griz, 28 northerns in one day!?!?!? Holy cow! That's a lot. The most I've ever seen was 9 or 10 I think. How long did you sit and how deep of water were you in? That's amazing. What was the biggest one you saw? Thanks for the reports guys. Let's keep it up at the top.

[Mike89]

Hi Spearing Boy, I think the ducks and venison turned out great!! But that's just my thought's!! If I make it over there I'll bring you some. Good to hear you are having some and luck too! So far I haven't sent the spear into the water yet!! And I got my new Jermey K. out there so I'm really pumped about using it!!! Let me know how your weekend turns out!! Mike

[Elusive Wally]

HEY MIKE,

WAS OUT ON OSAKIS THIS WEEKEND, PRETTY DISAPPOINTING. I SAW WAY TOO MUCH OPEN WATER, IT IS GOING TO BE A SHORT SEASON. I WALKED THE SHORELINE FROM THE HEAD OF THE LAKES, TO CAUHGREN PT. SHORES SEEM SOLID ABOUT 50 YDS OUT, THEN THE WALLEYE CHOP STARTED. HOPEFULLY I CAN HAVE MY PERM, OUT ON OSAKIS BY CHRISTMAS.

[Mike89]

Yes I have been watching that area, it's intersting and scary!! I see the radar run is Jan. 2nd for the saddle club. Will there be ice!! Question, do you have a place over at the head? if so do you fish the little lake? Your first name isn't Kevin is it? Mike

[Elusive Wally]

HEY MIKE,

MY NAME IS JOSH, MY BROTHER-IN-LAW HAS A CABIN A FEW HOUSES DOWN THE EAST SIDE OF CAUHGREN POINT, AND MY UNCLE HAS THE CABIN NEXT DOOR. I HAVE BEEN FISHING OSAKIS FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. USUALLY MAKE IT UP ABOUT EVERY OTHER WEEKEND. IT IS REALLY A GOOD ALL AROUND LAKE, BOTH FOR SPIECES, AND TIME OF YEAR. HOPE TO BE OUT ON THE NORTH BAY IN A PORTABLE ON THE 18TH, IF THE ICE GODS COOPERATE. YOU CAN REACH ME AT [email protected]

[Mike89]

Elusive Wally,I have saved your address. Would be fun to cross paths out there.The weekend of the 18th I'm taking my wife to visit her doctor and then visit her parents for the weekend. She will be having surgery the 20th so I will figure out a way to fish when she is better. I will email you tonight with little lake osakis in the subject line. Mike.

[psegriz]

spearing boy

Iwent out the next day and saw two which I got both. This lake is typically that way on first ice. Really hot then dies down to normal. Biggest ? didn't get a chance at him. Went out about four hrs. That next day left me puzzled the two I seen come in and hit my red and white while seeming to pay no attention to my live. Come up with something new to try hope it won't cause me any problems. I took a hanger fasioned it so my red and white will hang on one end and a live on the other. My thinking is the live will be moving and that will keep the red and white moving also. Good luck guys and I'll be going out again today.

[Fish Toys]

Is there anybody that uses an underwater camera when they are spearing? I think it would be neat if somebody did and had it hooked up so they could record some of the action when the fish come in to the decoys or spinners. Some way or another the movie could be shared with others . We wouldn't want the actual recording of any spearing of any fish. Any thoughts on this or does somebody want to do some recording and have it on the web someplace?

[rscabin]

I have used my friends camera a few times last year it worked well but his camera was a very old and not in the best condition. I'm going to purchase the Aqua-Vu Sout. It should work pretty good. The lake I spear on is very clear.

[psegriz]

Last year I used a video camera. I didn't use a underwater cam just a regular video cam held on the roof of my house. was interesting, I see your point about not showing actual spearing of fish. I just don't understand why some are against it. Then they go hunting, maybe go bowhunting, or try to catch something in hook and line. There is no difference and if anyone thinks there is they ought to grow up. We as sportmen are in this together and should stick together.

[psegriz]

Just reporting back.

On thursday Got a limit seen a few 8-9 was out for an hour and a half. Nothin great 2 and a half pounds each. The idea with the hanger works to a point. One fish got spooked when the live tried to get away he turned the wooden one right into the fish and buy buy he went. It was nice that they never got tangled though.

Today was out four hours got 3 more same nice friers only seen 1 more. He was pretty nice guess about 7-9 lbs. Didn't throw at him let that one grow a bit more. That one was real sporty though. Come in just to where I could see the nose right level with my deks then nosed to the ground and picked up a dead sucker that was left due to a previous attack. Swam away with it and about 15-20 seconds later come back hit my red and white as it dropped the sucker back underneath my hole. In doing that the live one on my hanger apparatise hit him in the side. He bolted away and come right back in looked at the live and just sank to the bottom and sat there for a couple minutes. Came back up looked at the live again and just swam away. Pretty cool to watch.

I've speared close to 30 yrs. and every year I think I'm starting to figure those fish out. Then everytime a fish like this will come along and me so I know how much I still have yet to learn. I could have gotten him many times and am glad I didn't. I learned more by watching him than by spearing him.

What did I learn? I really don't know as I'm still trying to figure it out myself.

Are they more interested in a dead fish than a live one?

Was he mad?

Did he get scared of a fish that much smaller than him?

Or was he smart enough to know that anyone with a set up like that is too dumb to throw a spear right anyhow.

I guess I'll have to go out in the morning and try to figure it out.

EDIT

How's everyone else been doing? I've had my house out since sunday on 4" of ice and it's getting weaker. It is starting to crack most of the way when I walk out there. If this warm weather continues I might have to take it off. I don't think so, it sounds like good weather is coming.

[psegriz]

IS ANYONE ELSE BEEN OUT?

I've been out. Things have slowed some. Seen some but didn't take any since my last reply. They aren't as agressive as I've only lost one live dec.

[spearingboy]

Hey griz. Didn't make it out this weekend. I wanted to go yesterday but was afraid that I'd blow away in my portable. Hopefully next weekend.

[RussDaBuss]

Have not been out yet.. Will post as soon as the ice is good around here and give it a try

[Mike89]

Been out, but the water was cloudy. so fish thus far!! Seen 2 though!! Mike

[spearingboy]

Anybody get out there today?? Having any luck? I'm planning on going out tomorrow. Was busy today with wrestling. Might try some new lakes, possibly hanging kettle. Not sure yet whether I should use a live decoy or not. I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings. I just hope my little heater will heat the house enough to keep the hole open! Good luck to anyone going out! Let us know how you do.

[mnmuzzleloader]

First of Fish Toys make one heck of a ice saw I have had mine 5 years and never really had to put any effort into keeping it sharp. Me and my buddies have three and we cut between 10-15 holes a year and never have problems. Last year we speared Spring(Scott) and Prior Lake the north part was scary clear but didn't produce any fish. Decoys I have found some decent decoys on hsolist but still prefer to make my own. Red and white is a given, great luck with white decoys that look like a shinner. Has any one thought or tried Cedar(scott) which is open for the first time since they stocked muskies?? Fished that all summer for muskies and can't even come up with a hammer handle I will give that a try after christmas

[MinnesotaMuskie]

I finally got our computer fixed. I have been in withdrawel from not accessing the site:)

Going to spear Red Rock west of Alex this Thursday. No reports but I am going to be over there for the Holidays and will take my house with me.

Wish I knew how to post a pic...pretty proud of the house.

The boys and I will report back.