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]

20180521-~~<")))))><(---*Pre-Spawn Period*--16%/64°

[Slip Sinker]

20180521~Rain took out the Major.Period

My original plans were to cover the Major.Period in the pm at 18:22 but be on the uptick near 16:00. Looking at rain in the forecast a large band of showers that would extend into the next day was to start at that period of time.

I then switched focus to the Minor.Period (11:41-13:11). I geared up and launched the boat to anticipate being on the spot 30-60 mins before hand and fish thru the Minor.Period or till the rain started.

the BOW and weather vitals were a cooler 64°, calm and clear with summer like skies and temps.

Once on my waypoint The first cast I sent to the reeds resulted in a bite off probably from a small N.Pike. the fish seemed neutral or negative. i approached the waypoint with two slip/float rigs one with waxies and one with corn while fan casting jigs.The only resulting bite in 20 mins of fish was a 10” class R.Bass on slip/float/kernel corn.

I moved quickly to the next spot. I quickly recognized that there were 3 other boats fishing this narrow stretch of water moving from one end synchronously to the other with small jon and bass boats. I didn’t expect this for a Monday!

I was fishing used water from three other boats in a short period of time. They were all fishing with floats. Already within the Minor.Period time frame I decided to stick it out and fish thru rather than waste the time moving to another location. I fan casted the wider areas with long-cast methods with 2 float rigs out searching for the bite. Getting a hit on a slip/float and pulling up a nice B.Gill then quickly following with more … I drew the other fishermen’s attention. One boat asked what bait I was using and I responded GULP Waxies. They responded they were all using crawlers. I was easily out fishing them. I don’t think it was necessarily the bait but in presentation. I was throwing the bait into dirty water and tight to structure. Seemed like the other boats were fishing more open water.

Tossing next to docked pontoon boats and letting the bait drift tagged a couple lunkers between 9-10”. I continued the pattern all the way thru the stretch… pausing for extended periods when a bite was detected. Patience and tight to structure were the key factors for the afternoons success.

The fish were scattered with apparently no schooling whatsoever. Pick off one here and one there. Along sea walls were vacant… but where seawall met natural shorelines attracted a few hits. Close eye to detail in structure and making close casts too proved successful.

Rain started settling in and the bite waned… signaling an end to the trip.

[Slip Sinker]

20180522-~~<")))))><(---*Pre-Spawn Period*--15%/65°

[Slip Sinker]

Water temperatures at the boat launch at 12:30 p.m. 58.5 degrees

Ouch

[Slip Sinker]

[Slip Sinker]

[Slip Sinker]

20180523-~~<")))))><(---*Pre-Spawn Period*--29%/64°

[Slip Sinker]

20180523-looking forward to hitting the Minor.Period on an inland lake. Temperature are going to rebound with sun and highs in the 80’s.

Yesterday was a total beat down near skunking with the lingering cold front and rain left the water temps at the start of the day in the upper 50’s. fish respond to that negative stimuli.

With above normal temps in the next couple weeks should get us back on track.

[Slip Sinker]

A better start with water temperature 69 degrees bluegills making beds at the launch

[Slip Sinker]

20181523-WOW... great bite experienced with this sudden turn in summer-like weather!

i will be posting a detailed description of the trip later on.

[Slip Sinker]

20180524-~~<")))))><(---*Spawn Period*--42%/70°

[Slip Sinker]

20181524-with yesterday’s rapid water temp escalation… I moved up the period to “spawn period” for fishing.

I also stopped producing boarders with the catch info on the pictures I post freeing up time on my end and will also as a result post more pictures when available.

Setting up a plan such as yesterday’s to hit the Minor.Period and fish till the upswing on the Major.Period. things are really heating up on the water.