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]

20180320-spring is here on the calendar …

but not on the tundra of Mid-Michigan…34° expected high for the day… winter is clinging on till some normal temps breaking out next week… transition will probably stick around till then...

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

GO GET EM SLIP...........

[Slip Sinker]

20180320-thanks...hope your doing well Tootie

just sitting here twiddling my thumbs waiting for some open water to cast too... lol

the weather really sucks.

[Slip Sinker]

20180322-~~<")))))><(---*Transition Period*--°

[Slip Sinker]

20180322-Looks like a favorable model…

Chirp Sonar

Down scan Imaging

Side scan Imaging

Contour Mapping

[Slip Sinker]

20180327-~~<")))))><(---*Transition Period*

[Slip Sinker]

20180327-I got triggered by an Allen Morgan ty

For quite some time now ive been tinkering with the idea of producing my own jigs with tied tungsten beads duplicating the 1/80 oz to 1/64 oz weight but using a hook size and style of my choice.

My bait of choice last year which landed several trophy Lepomis is quite simple… a 1/64 oz jig head with a super glue attached gulp waxie… pink/chartreuse. I started using in early June/2017 with continuing success.

I started thinking how I can improve such a simple bait. Jig head color proved to be non-essential or critical when tagging the fish. When we were on the fish during an active solunar period we caught fish regardless of color. The waxie is not used as a live bait substitute in my long-cast methods because it is constantly moving. So profile becomes the pronounced factor I think in this method and bait.

When Allen posted a picture of his ty it triggered a reaction to my line of thinking. The tungsten bead offers weight even though intentions were proposed as a fly. I have no problem long-casting tiny baits with a couple of my rod/reel/line combinations similar to distance achieved with casting a fly with my 4wt. the profile is established by tying materials rather than the waxie.

Some positive aspects of this type of ty for me is:

• -ability to select custom style hooks
• -the ty is more weedless in nature due to its attach point in relation to the bead
• - there seems to be a wide selection of weight sizes available for the bead

Allen was kind enough to send me a sample of his ty to try out for this spring’s open water bite.

Will be keeping everyone posted on my findings… stay tuned

[Allen Morgan]

Definitely let me know how you do.  I've still got a few, and I need to try them myself.

[Slip Sinker]

Yep… sure will… and thanks again… anxious to test out a couple theories. I don’t see any reason why it won’t be just as productive (better?) as the .016oz jig/waxie combo.

[Slip Sinker]

20180329-~~<")))))><(---*Transition Period*

[Slip Sinker]

20180401-~~<")))))><(---*Cold-Water Period* 39°

[Slip Sinker]

20180401- Coldwater Period Begins

I took a drive by the main lake and launch for a visual recon of the lake... ice was completely gone and water temps were 39° at the shoreline. winds were up over 40 mph being the deciding factor of the ice demise. water levels at -3' leaving the boat launch useless.

Looking at the forecast cold front will continue till near mid April with an avg 15° below normal temps.

warmup coming mid April should see me on the lake by then. got some work to do on the boat to fill in the gap.