Lake Winnipeg, Red River Guides

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

Just a quick question -- Is there a guide service for Winnipeg/ Red River I would like to come up and fish eyes for a few days, but I really don't want to go it alone. I would rather not tow up a 4 wheeler and such also, so if I can get by with my house, auger etc. and hook up with a guide or someone that would be willing to take me around that would be great.

thanks

dan

[marine_man]

Stu Mckay, Cat's on the Red

marine_man

[Scoot]

Yep, M_M nailed it- hands down the best option out there- Stu is da man! Guaranteed to do his all to take good care of you and see that you have a good time.

[topcat3820]

Call Stu. You better leave the wheelhouse at home unless you're just gonna' park it on shore and use it as a base camp, though... you might make it 50 yds off shore otherwise (and that's where it'll stay 'till spring breakup).

Think portables and ATVs or snowmobiles until the end of the season (March 31st is closing day) for getting around out there, now.

[Ed Carlson]

Lake conditions vary from West to East basin but in general, a sled is a wise plan to cover ice well. They are driving on at Chalet Beach to the mouth of the Red.

There are significant ice heaves that jet out into the lake and parallel the shore so no matter what use a GPS to mark trails and tracks. A GPS will save you keister up there for sure!!

Case and point...the other day in the Tuesday big blow and relatively light snow on the lake a crew was scattered out. Three had GPS 2 did not, they lost one guy for some time tell they did a grid and located him and they all escorted off together.

Same day a guy in the crew was stepping out of the shack to take care of Biz and in a few steps his hat was ripped from his head in the wind so he started to chase it a few more steps...total white out...he gave up on the hat and still had difficulty locating his shack again. A few more steps and who knows, he may have wondered off into deep ice and got lost for good in that -40 wind chill...not good...he said it scared him a bit and he learned a valuable lesson.

My Garmin is securely attached to me at all times on the lake...just in case...with a back-up battery pack.

Fishing continues to be good even in the tough conditions and the cold. Not balls out crazy but you keep busy and big sumo Greenbacks swing in to play from time to time so it keeps interesting. All my fish except for a few perch were well over 19" and my biggest this trip was shy of 29"..dropped a few hogs in the hole....that always keeps a guy focused on the next fish.

Stu and the gang at "Cats on the Red" treated me well, as always, they keep you pointed in the right direction and look after you well. Cat's Guests can expect a free flow of information on the best areas and tactics to use. The guests always work as a team out there and we all look after each other, that is nice, friends and new friends alike fishing for fun and looking after there fellow anglers...you got to love that.

Fun trip, kinda Cool at times...but I'm ready to go back ASAP!

Thanks for everything Stu!

Ed

[DHanson]

Thanks for the report Ed!

What jigging lures worked best for you?

Did you use any live bait at all? If, so where are the baitshops around the south side and their hours?

[Ed Carlson]

I had good luck with Salmo Zippers in Silver Blue Orange belly, Green Tiger Zipper, Salmo Chubbys in LBD, LOD, GMO, and Candlestick. Chubbys worked well in #5's and #6's.

I also had a very good bite on Reel Baits Plain Jane jigs in 1/2 oz in the Superman and Firetiger patterns.

Replace your treble hooks with Triple Grip trebles!! Very key to holding and sticking these fish while fishing barb-less hooks. Get grips one size larger then original equipment on that lure. Keep extras as they can bust off hooks at times and spares are handy.

The Gold plated Reel Baits Flasher jigs were good as were the Metallic Flashers in Blue and Red...they like flash.

Stick with the best salted shiners you can get. They want shiner scent, don't waist your time dealing with and hunting for live bait...not worth the unnecessary expense or the hassle...stick with shiners or Gulp..it has worked well too at times...RED GULP .

Hope this helps.

[DHanson]

I appreciate the info.! thanks

Couple more quick basic questions if you don't mind.

What kind of line are you using up there? I'm going to a braided line and wondering which brand to use and what lb. test.

And how deep were you finding your fish (top of the ice so we're on the same track)?

I was wondering about the live bait thing because it would be nice to use on 1 line while I jig with the other. What did you use on your set line, that is if you used a second line?

[Eyewitness]

DHansen, when are you headed up there? Are you staying at Stu's place? Our group will be there the 26th-30th.

Would love to keep in touch if you are there just before us so I can find out some info. from you......

I have been using fireline ice for a couple seasons now with a swivel and 1-2ft. of Berkley Vanish and love it. Just make sure you have a rod that can handle no stretch line. Boron and graphite get more brittle in the cold and it cost me a couple good rods to figure that one out......no hard hook sets needed....haha

[Ed Carlson]

I use 2-10 or 4-15 Power Pro on all my ice rods for walleye.

Depth may vary from 16' to 8', or even less. Common target areas are 12' to 10'.

If the weather allows, hit and run will pay off.

It is best to fish 1 line well than it is to fish 2 lines not so well.

If you insist on a second line try a tip-up away from your jigging set as to eliminate tangles when you get a sow on...too close...in my opinion....your asking to loose that fish of a lifetime by dink'n with the set line for walleye.

Jigging is best, bait soaking..not so much. It will just slow you down in the end.

Have a aggressive, not so aggressive, and a smaller neutral offering handy and ready to switch up quickly.

If they come to the aggressive and pass...switch quickly..it often will convert them to hit. This is more efficient then fishing 2 sets and produces more fish at the end of the day.

[DHanson]

Eye- I'm heading up on the 19th. It's my first time fishing Winnipeg, but I'm going up with some guys that have been there a few times already. I think we are going for at least 5 days, possibly more. I will post back how we do.

Ed- I appreciate the info. I'm just so use to using 2 lines where I usually fish, and I usually catch my biggest fish on the set line. I will definitely be running and gunning. Hopefully we get some nice weather for that. I just bought 4 new chubby darters, so I need to get some teeth marks in them. Do you switch out the split rings on the darters? To me they look kinda weak? I did get some new trebles though, but wondering if those split rings will hold on a huge fish.... Is a #6 treble fine for a #5 darter (#5 darter comes with a #8 treble)?

I also bought 10lb. test (2lb diameter) P line Spectrex. Hopefully that was a good choice, never used it before.

[Ed Carlson]

That should be fine, the split rigs will hold just fine too.

Use a good snap to connect, do not direct tie to the top eyelet.

Consider the Triple Grip hooks for at least the rear trebles on the Chubbys. You will find out quick enough why.

Pick up some Reel Baits Flasher jigs too, Red, and Blue metallic finish..Gold is good too. 3/8 to 1/2 oz.

[DHanson]

I have never seen those Reel Bait Flasher jigs. Are they sold in a pretty wide spread area? I have never seen them in central MN (St. Cloud area) anyway?

I will look for some Triple Grip trebles as well, but again I am not familiar with what they are. I'll ask the guys in the store.

Thanks again.

[Scoot]

Fellas, I'll be at Stu's on the 19th and 20th. Stop by and say hello!

[fishncamp]

I live a few minutes from Stu's and will be on the lake next weeekend too. If you need any help out here you are welcome to pm me.

[Ed Carlson]

Cabela's has them in Grand Forks, but they sell out fast. You can look them up on the net too, orders come very fast. I buy mine direct from the ReelBait.com web site. I prefer the long shank versions over the short shank for ice fishing.

The Penguin (It's been hot on sumo Greenbacks this season)

The Transparent Flasher Series (Also hot to go, especially in Blue and Red)

Al Patterson's Reel Baits Flasher Jig in Blue (short shank)

Mustad® 36233 Ultra Point™ (Also available in Red)

[Ed Carlson]

Fellas, I'll be at Stu's on the 19th and 20th. Stop by and say hello!

KEWL...good to see you got some free time finally Scoot!

I'll be working that weekend locally....hope to be back North with some friends the fallowing week to button up the season.

[topcat3820]

Plenty of them at Wholesale Sports here in Winnipeg... just more expensive !!!

You never got ahold of me Ed ... I never knew you were here until Andre' told me you'd just left??? We could've chased some sumos or just B-S'd about it while sharing some antifreeze .

[Ed Carlson]

I don't do antifreeze ...so that's more for you Topcat. I'll be back in a week..or so. Catch ya then maybe.

[218.walleye]

how much moving around do you need to do on a normal day? will this warmer weather make a differance in the bite?BACKWATER EDDY marty from breckenridge here ,give me a call going up to stus 17th thru the 21st 218-731-1089. thanks!

[Ed Carlson]

Eh Marty...I seen your booked up at Stu's...I'll drop you a call latter.

[gatorhunter]

how much moving around do you need to do on a normal day? will this warmer weather make a differance in the bite?BACKWATER EDDY marty from breckenridge here ,give me a call going up to stus 17th thru the 21st 218-731-1089. thanks!

You just never know how much moving around that you need to do. Last week a couple of guys fished an area probably no bigger than a couple of acres. They caught a pile of eaters, atleast a couple of trophies and a bunch of mid size walleyes too big to eat.

Yesterday morning I set up in what turned out to be dirty water. Because of the "freakin" cold, I stayed put for a couple of hours. A couple of friends showed up and we moved about 200 yards, only a 1 foot of water difference under the ice (8 to 9). My buddies caught about 10 nice walleyes; virtually all 17 - 18 inch eaters. They left and I stayed all evening, all night and left this morning at 10. I caught another 12 walleyes in the same two holes that were fished yesterday. Sometimes you punch your holes on top of them and other times you have to look for them a little bit.

[DHanson]

Thanks for the info. Ed!

Maybe I'll see you up there Scoot!

[Myrt]

WITH ALL THIS CHATTER ON THIS POST IT'S HARD TO SLEEP AT NIGHT WHEN YOUR HEADING UP THERE IN 3 DAYS LIKE I AM. GREAT INFO, HELPS SOME OF US OUT THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE RIVER IN THE FALL BUT NEVER ON THE BIG LAKE IN MARCH, LIKE ME!!! TTHHHAAAAANNKKKS!!!!

[LeeMB]

Lots and lots of fish being caught now. You will have fun.