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]

20180312- lately ive been finding it very difficult to purchase 2oz bottles of GULP Waxies at the local bait shops and retailers. What im understanding is the product is becoming increasingly popular locally and is difficult to keep supplied on the shelves. I have recently resorted to ordering from Amazon.com… with Amazon Prime under $6.00 per bottle.

Locked and loaded for 2018

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[Slip Sinker]

20180312- a blip of a warming trend coming up then below normal temps... i don't see main lake ice clearing till the first week in April like usual...

[Allen Morgan]

My lakes are mostly ice-free. Had a little skim-ice form Friday/Saturday, but it melted off each day.  I have not tried doing any fishing, either bank- or kayak-fishing.  Hopefully soon.

[Slip Sinker]

I thought it was a pretty weird ice season… even though I wasn’t able to make it out... I monitor thickness and fishing success/failure patterns on sites. Given how cold I thought this winter was the ice should of in my opinion been much thicker.

Same here Even though a couple reservoirs with slight current are open I havnt tossed a cast yet.. usually I could pick up an errant n.pike or smb. Im giving it sometime this year for a couple warm day triggers.  

I was just telling a friend the other day when I bought my Outboard a few years back and broke it in on a lake that still had ice along most of its bank. Talk about being motivated … lol  

[Slip Sinker]

20180313.Saginaw Bay to Sanford dam walleye Migration Obstruction

…so looking for the obstruction of walleye migration from Saginaw Bay to Sanford Dam… I boot up Google Earth Pro and here it is in quite impressive 3-d… what a great tool for fishermen!

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[Slip Sinker]

20180313.Great time for Recon when Reservoirs are low

My reservoir is now at its lowest point minus 3-4ft and is a great time of year to visibly pinpoint structure that is clearly in plain site for the upcoming season. For me some nasty rebar and broken concrete were clearly visible… snags during the shorefishing later in the season. Nows the time to take that opportunity and walk your favorite reservoir spots and check out the features

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[Slip Sinker]

20180313...i thought i was having a bad day

[Slip Sinker]

20180313-new moon coming up Saturday... Friday, Saturday and Sunday are upper 90% fish activity levels... wish i wasn't in ice transition mode... one of the best times to tag quantities as well as the trophies

[Slip Sinker]

20180314-2018 Goals and Resolutions

For 2018 I thought I’d try something a little different. Tag the species of fish that have eluded me in the past seasons. Also incorporate other methods like a fly rod for example in my methods. Don’t get me wrong I’ll be trying for the numbers there is no doubt in that. I need the B.Crappie, White Bass, LMB, Rock Bass, N.Pike, C.Cat and Muskie to fill some gaps in the data base.

[Slip Sinker]

20180315- 2018 In-Fisherman PanFish Guide

during this ice transition time down… I study including some very informative and entertaining publications as the yearly Panfish Guide edition from In-Fisherman magazine. Look forward to this publication every year! What pan fisherman doesn’t!. instead of the paper publication I use the Android App “In-Fisherman Panfish” from your app store. Great way to keep track of your editions on one device. 5.99/per issue.

[Slip Sinker]

20180315- Went to push the button on purchasing the 2018 copy, but not yet available on line yet :>(... i see Jeff has posted he was able to obtain the 2018 paper copy

[Slip Sinker]

20180316- very good article by our own Jim Gronaw…”in Search of Great Panfishing”…

In the new issue of 2018 In-Fisherman Panfish Guide just finished downloading and reading from the Microsoft store.