SLIP’S 2018 LOGS, STATUS AND STRATEGIES

[Slip Sinker]

As I turn the last page of the “SLIP’S 2017 LOGS, STATUS AND STRATEGIES” log book on an astounding year of angling… I think back on the initial strategies and goals for the year. I wanted to tag at least (4) Trophy Master Angler Panfish and that would include one thru the ice which would be a PB using that method. I ended up with 2 trophy P.Seeds thru the ice with a PB at 9.8" as well as(13) total Master Anglers thru the rest of the open water season!

To accomplish this feat I would greatly scale down my presentations to micro lite equipment… rods, reels, lines and baits. Careful considerations of lines were incorporated into my methods which would not exceed 2# mono diameter…and super lines that would approach 8# test or above to handle the trophy quality of fishes sought.

I would also aim to make my time on the water more productive by timing the trips with solunar periods… majors and minors on New and Full Moons. I've discovered big fish follow the moon… period! 2017 proved that especially considering the hard water Ice Period. I was on the big fish spots on the peak periods and it paid off!... BIGly!!!

I think I coined a phrase “Fishing for the Numbers by the Numbers” by incorporating all methods and strategies to gain my odds on the water for numbers as well as numbers of trophies. By the end of the day and all the numbers were tallied for 2017 I broke many records for the Master Angler Program in at least 2 counties.

I’m hoping for an even better season for 2018 and success for the fishermen following BBG!

Ken

[Slip Sinker]

20180317-~~<")))))><(---*Transition Period*--80%/Ice°

[Slip Sinker]

20180317-Retiring the Elite 7 HDI

It’s been 5 seasons of fishing ago when I walked into Jay’s Sporting Goods to pick up a little bait and do a little window shopping. I wandered into the electronics aisle and started pressing a few buttons on some depth sounders. I lost touch with the developing technology of the units after suffering a back injury just a few years earlier. A lot can happen with electronics in just a few short months imagine the changes in a few years.

Randy asked if I wa interested in buying a sonar unit today… I answered “when these units can develop a contour map I will jump into the market” I was shocked to hear when he told me “most of these units do nowadays” my mind snapped “WHAT!” I intently listened as Randy made his sales pitch… I somewhat picked out a model that currently outpaced my budget… pocketed the information… took a picture of the unit and headed to town to lunch up and adjust the budget to make it work. I vowed to be back shortly.

While at lunch I did some quick research of the technology and the mapping units available in my inflated budget. The unit randy suggested seemed to be just right to fit my needs. Shifted some money from the grocery budget and Christmas accounts to make it work… (lol JK) and headed back to pick up the unit.

After firing it up at home that night I fiddled with the simulation mode and mounted the unit in the boat the following morning… I believe I was on the reservoir that afternoon mapping contours and discovering structure.

I was on the fish in no time with my custom contour maps at 1-0’ intervals. The unit has been on all my trips since… I would not leave the dock without. If I had to select a milestone that has improved my fishing career this would be it. I experienced an amazing journey with this unit.

To make improvements, achieve goals in my sport and keep up with technology I decided to retire the unit for main use and move on to Side scan units… I’m still shopping units but will keep everyone posted on unit selection etc.

Exciting times…

Ive done reviews on the unit here…

http://bigbluegill.ning.com/group/fishing-electronics/forum/topics/...

[Slip Sinker]

20180318-~~<")))))><(---*Transition Period*--70%/Ice°

[Slip Sinker]

20180318-Did anyone else feel the effects of the “New Moon” Yesterday?

We are top of the food chain preds… solunar periods does affect us all… if one has lost touch with sensing it’s changes there is only one remedy… get out in the outdoors!... step away from the LCD’s and fish more often!

[Slip Sinker]

20180318-Gearing up to make a few casts from shore today!

I spent the entire ice season on the sidelines because of lower back pain… ice fishing is exponentially more physically demanding on the back for me than sitting in a boat. Hopefully ill be able to fish this open water seasonal like last... will settle for a fraction or any time on the water.

today I’m gearing up to take a short walk to a favorite spot and make a few casts! A little anxiety yes. Considering it Physical Therapy… baby steps to get back in the game.

If im lucky ill tag a SMB or roaming N.Pike… not much activity at this time of year in the stretch of river.

[Slip Sinker]

20180318-Timing the Major Period… Coincidence?

Im feeling that urge to get out to the BOW, gearing up for the walk and I do a check on my solunar app and im sitting on the bottom of a major upswing… coincidence?... or primal predatory instinct?... lol… going with the latter.

[Slip Sinker]

20180318-Short Trip @ Bridge and Low water recon

…spent about an hour at the bridge and hooked up with one bite off on the Long-Cast/1/32 oz Jig/Mid Minnow casting at the pillars and twitching the bait at the bases. Felt good for about 5 secs… 8# braid failed against a probable walleye.

Water levels were down between 3-0 to 4-0’. Rebar and concrete rubble were exposed at the first break.

I took a walk along the road rip-rap with low water exposing a walk able shoreline. I was surprised to find old LMB, SMB and Lepomis beds unpredictably would have been in 4-0 to 7-0’ of water under normal levels. Made the trip to the bridge worthwhile.

[Slip Sinker]

[Slip Sinker]

20180319-i believe if i could get my boat in the water ... a good b.crappie population would be concentrated in the deeper holes and creek channels. usually when water levels going down results in a negative bite reguardless of solunar tables

local boat launch with these low water levels are currently unusable. the dnr site further down lake is jammed with ice still.

[Slip Sinker]

20180319-~~<")))))><(---*Transition Period*--70%/Ice°

[Slip Sinker]

 20180319-Short Term Goals Boat Readiness

Making a short term goal list of things to do for the boat before first launch this season…

    1)  Prep and paint fresh camo boat hull and sides

    2) Get 9.8 Mercury going

             a. Fuel lines replace

             b.  Carb clean

             c.  Gas tank hose replace

             d.  Water pump and housing purchase

        3) Finalize purchase side imaging unit

            a. Hummingbird helix or Lowrance hook²

[Slip Sinker]

20180320-~~<")))))><(---*Transition Period*--50%/Ice°