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]

20180103----~~<")))))><(---*Hard Water Period*--81%/Ice°

[Slip Sinker]

…even though we are recording over 10" of ice... weather conditions have been so harsh with health threatening wind chills has kept me off the ice looking on the horizon of avg temps of 29 degs to get back on.

[Slip Sinker]

…temperature graph showing below normal temps for the month of January. looking like 20-30" of ice by the end of January. might be fishing thru the ice March this year!

[Slip Sinker]

...revised forecast!... significant warming trend with cold nights... awesome

[Slip Sinker]

20180106----~~<")))))><(---*Hard Water Period*--14%/Ice°

[Slip Sinker]

...it' been over 60 days without the tug!

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

I was angry because tomorrow will be 7 days..........hope you're able to get out safely real soon!

[Slip Sinker]

...thanks Jeff... a warmup coming for us next week ... one day forecasted mid-40's... anytime ice fishing above mid 20's is great with me. i might have to break down and get an ice shelter...for now my wife’s goldfish in the garden pond are at risk … LOL

[Slip Sinker]

20180123----~~<")))))><(---*Hard Water Period*--22%/Ice°

[Slip Sinker]

20180120-the final numbers are in for 2017 ending the year for a total of 15 registered and documented trophy Michigan Panfish. I waited till the last minute to register (2) Green sunfish attaching a personal fisherman’s story to the fish… the fish was identified as the same fish caught 3 different times twice in one day by two different fisherman and then again two days later in the same small cut in Wixom lake… an amazing fish tale focusing on the benefits of Catch and Release! … What amazing odds and would make a great fish-story!!
After tagging just 2 master anglers in 2016 including my first 10” plus B.Gill… in 2017 I end up with 6 total B.Gills and 9 additional other panfish Master Anglers. Many firsts and Personal Bests would also be included.

1. (2) P.Seeds thru the ice one being my PB at 9.8”.

2. First 14” plus B.Crappie in over 40 years.

3. First 14” plus Personal Best trophy Yellow Bullhead

4. Personal Best B.Gill

5. Multiple days of Multiple Master Angler Fish in single trips

6. Personal Best Trophy Green Sunfish at 9.25”

7.completed the cycle in just one year... 4 patches for 4 different species!

 

[Slip Sinker]

20180224--With the recent record setting above normal temps weve been experiencing here on the tundra… left us with swollen over the bank rivers, streams and creeks resulting in large sections of thawn reservoir, ice dams and flows. A real messed up ice fishing situation for me. This area was my go to walk from home ice spot… looks like it is damaged for the rest of the season. Large sections of 8-12” thick ice bergs stacked up along the bank pushing up to the road guard rail. Wow… I have never seen this are in such a transitional mess. Gotta love witnessing the raw power of nature though… for me it’s part of the sport of fishing… witnessing and being a part of.

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[Slip Sinker]

2010311-...---~~<")))))><(---*Hard-Water Period*--ICE