Three Mile Lake in Iowa, have you fished this lake Bob?

[gunnnerengle]

Does anybody fish this lake? The lake runs north to south with the dam on the south end. The major spawn is on the face of the dam. With the water being traditionally warmer on north end of a lake, why do the walleye spawn on the south end? We constantly catch numbers of fish in the 12 inch range on a fireball and nightcrawler. We have a hard time catching any quality fish. The fish are there cause ive seen them spawning in big numbers, with a flashlight at night on the dam . If we do catch a bigger one it is usually a male at night off the dam with a rapala. Im looking for some tips to catch some bigger fish on this lake. Please post if you have found a pattern that works to catch the bigger females on this lake in late march.

[Bob Jensen]

Have never fished 3 Mile- I've fished Little River and 12 Mile, but mostly for bass.

The walleyes are on the south end I am guessing because there is some current there and the habitat is probably best for the spawn. Most reservoirs have a similar set-up, dam on south end, etc. The walleyes like the rip-rap used to make the dam for spawning.

Spawning fish can be tough, pre-spawn will usually be best for males. Might be Mother Natures way of protecting the females and their spawn.

Jigs are a good way to catch the males, I particularly like a jig-Power Grub combo.

Keep trying, let us know how you do.

Best Fishes,

Bob Jensen

[gunnnerengle]

They killed Twelve Mile a few years ago, I have heard that it is coming back strongly. Should be a good bite going there for some nice walleye.

[eyeballs]

Hey Gunner,

I've fished Three Mile lake quite a bit. There are peak periods for big fish on Three. First ice and the years ice holds till mid March are good. I wouldn't consider the spawn to great for females, although I've seen some 8's come on slip bobbers. Late May-June are good, and the best is the late fall period-talking November. Many anglers overlook the upper end of Three. Talk to the local biologist, Gary Sobotka about it as well, he'll give you some ideas.

[gunnnerengle]

Thanks for your thread eyeballs. I live about an hour and a half from three mile and venture down there often. We have a cabin reserved for the 19th thru the 21st of march. I havn't fished the north end all that much. We usually do good around the pump house point. My friends and I were talking recently about the north end, and we have planned on devoting a full day of fishing to the upper end. I hope it pays off.

I was also thinking that slip bobbering them would be good. We have a place where we catch silverdollar size bluegills, I was thinking about using them on a slip bobber rig. Do think that they would go for that?

We catch alot of small ones deep on fireball jigs with nightcrawlers. Are the small ones still that deep cause they are not participating in the spawn? Should I concentrate on shallow water at this time of the year? Ive only been walleye fishing for about five years and still have alot to learn, any advice would be more than welcome.

What is your favorite bait to use on Three? We mainly just drift jigs.

[Thebad]

Spent a day on three mile lake Tuesday and could not get anything to bite...the water temp was 42 degrees and couldnt even get the fish to act interested. if anyone has tips for early season wallye I would be very glad to listen.

I also asked the guy at the bait shop in Creston if anyone was reporting any luck, and he said no one was doing any good, he was sort of a jerk about it so I dont know if he was telling the truth or not. But who knows....Anyway good luck on Thursday

[des moines iowa]

Bob - not to be a jerk since i am also sponsored but anytime of year and on any body of water you always throw out the gulp and grubs much like Stange and his swimbaits. You should well know that when ice out simple jigs and minnows work just fine. And it does not take Northland jigs to get it done. Like I said, don't want to argue but pushing your sponsors all the time when people just ask for general advice hurts your credibilty especially when you don't test your metal in tourneys. Just my 2 cents.

[Smitty]

Dude, you might try "testing your metal" by not hiding behind an anonymous name when you're slinging mud. Tell us exactly who you are so we can read about all of your big tournament wins.

I hardly think "I particularly like a jig-Power Grub combo" equates to an advertising rant... Just my 2 cents.........

[Allstate48]

Smitty, I think you said it right. I'm glad people name products to use. Just my 2 cents Doug

[des moines iowa]

I would be more than happy to give my touney results. Not really the point, my point was yes we all like hearing how the "pros" catch fish, just gets old that it is with the same reference to the same sponsors. Relax. Ayntime you want to compare results so be it.

[Lundexp]

Des Moines Iowa, you got the whole thing messed up. All Bob did was simply state what he likes to use, not in any way promoting the product that I could see in his post. Nothing wrong with stating what products you like to use as that same product may work great with others when they try it. Yes true I have had good results with plain jigs and minnow at ice out, then again I have also had good results with jig and grub after ice out too as well, it all depends on the water you are fishing. I don't usually respond to posts like that but felt like I had to say something because there are alot of people that need straightening out these days that I have noticed. Sorry if this insults anyone.

By the way, best method. Experiment, experiment. Try driftting or backtrolling jigs with crawlers, minnows, leeches, grubs or dragging bottom bouncers and spinners with crawlers, minnows, leeches. Drag crank baits. If the bite is real slow, just try different methods until you find one that produces. Good Luck.

[des moines iowa]

Not sure I was wrong, go through the threads and when is the last time there was not a reference to a sponsor? If I am wrong, fine. I know he has a tv show to sell. He just needs to give better advice to the masses that don't have 3 days to do a 1/2 hour show. That was my only point.

[Bob Jensen]

I wasn't going to respond to this, but when "Des Moines" makes comments that are untrue, I feel a need to.

There is absolutely no way I could stay in business if it took three days to make a half hour show. To suggest that we fish for three days to make a show is deceiptful. Just doesn't happen. A good number of people who we've made shows with visit this board and can verify that. We might be on the water for two days, but it's generally the afternoon of one day and the morning of the next day. In extreme conditions maybe two days, but that's usually a weather event. 3 days, no way.

Regarding the product mentions. I am proud to be associated with some of the best companies in the fishing and marine industry. When anglers read a magazine article or newspaper column, when they attend a fishing seminar, when they watch a fishing show on television, or when they post a question about fishing on a fishing website, I assume they are interested in fishing and want information about fishing. That generally includes lures. I don't like information that is vague. I tell them about the baits I've used to be successful, and those baits are produced by the companies that sponsor my fishing education efforts.

I try really hard to be tolerant of people that want to take shots while hiding behind a keyboard, but when they say things that aren't truthful, I am compelled to respond.

Thanks to all who approve of what we do here.

Best Fishes,

Bob Jensen

[Hump]

So, what do we look for in the tourney results? Guest? I agree with the above, sling the mud, but use your name.

[Mike Frisch]

Guys:

After reading this thread, I feel compeled to reply. First, I am a member of the Fishing The Midwest fishing team and very proud of that fact. Bob Jensen is a class act, a top-notch multi-species fisherman, and highly respected in the fishing industry. Not only that, but Fishing The Midwest represents some of the finest companies in the fishing industry.

Most people who ask for fishing information from a sponsored pro or any other angler for that matter want to know the specifics of what is being used to catch fish. The standard "jig and minnow" or "jig and plastics" answer usually leads to follow up questions about what jig, what color, what size, etc. So when
Bob or myself or any other angler mentions a particular bait we are doing it to try to answer that question to the best of our ability.

As for the "three days to film a half-an-hour tv show" comment, I can attest to the error in that statement. Bob and I have filmed many segments over the years and we have never taken more than an afternoon and the following morning to complete a particular segment and, when that has happened, it has usually been weather-related. In fact, I have been on numerous shoots with Bob when we have completed an entire segment in less than half a day.

As for tournaments, I choose to fish several bass tournaments a year. Bob, on the other hand, no longer fishes tournaments. To each his own, it has nothing to do with angling skills . . .


Mike Frisch
Fishing The Midwest fishing team member
Elbow Lake, MN

[des moines iowa]

If I was out of line I duly apologize. My name is Brad Obermeier. I think I had a 16th place finish out of 160 teams on the Illinois River and a 2nd out of 150 at Green Bay both this past year on the MWC. Sorry if those marks don't compare to the rest. What I will take umbrage with is all the people that say, post the name but they don't. If I was wrong, Bob I am sorry but to see these other people call me out becuase I did not post my name but then they don't what a joke. By the way, there was an article in the Des Moines Register that had my name as well. Sorry I ruffled so many panties.

BRAD OBERMEIER (in case)

[des moines iowa]

And let me further state my comments were not a rip on Bob who does a great job. More generally to the fishing shows that always promote their own sponsors. That was it. But for people to call me out for not posting my own name but then don't post their own. That is a joke. By the way, this is a message board for opinions, so "hump" and the others I can guarantee 1 thing, you may be better on the water (a proposition vehemently denied) but your tourney numbers are not even close. Post your name as you called me out to do.


Brad Obermeier

[Smitty]

No problem, my name is Dave Smit and I've never fished a tournament in my life but I do feel your comments were out of line. When you say you weren't banging on Bob, it sure seemed so by your comments. You obviously fish tournaments so could be considered a "pro", it you don't think there was any value in the feedback I might suggest you provide some feedback to the many questions posted here rather than telling someone they haven't "tested their metal" since they don't fish tournaments. I could very well be wrong (since you're unregistered it's hard to search), but in my memory you seem to show up here only to make negative comments about others when what folks are looking for here is knowledge and insight that it seems you could provide based on your knowledge and success.

I'm sure you're a very competent fisherman, so share what you know rather than berating others. You said that Bob provided no value with his post, what value did your comments provide in helping others?

[des moines iowa]

Fair enough Dave and maybe you are totally right. And maybe it is not directed at Bob but when people watch shows or read the net for help the advice is always towards a sponsor. For example, when is the last in-fisherman when Stange was not throwing a swimbait? Sorry again to you, Bob and others except those that called me out but will not post their own name. And I don't think I am some sort of "pro" and will endeavor to provide any thoughts I can on trying to boat eyes. Have a good night.

Brad Obermeier

[Hump]

OOps...John Suhumskie. (Hump). I don't fish tournaments.

[des moines iowa]

No problem Hump. It was more if people want to call me out, but then don't put their own name up, a little or a lot unfair. I could not really care if people fish tourneys, but it does force one to be versatile. I have posted my name, and my results have not always been stellar, heck had some smooth zeros before. Like I said, I think Bob is great, just expressed my opinion.

Brad Obermeier

[Smitty]

We're cool Brad. At some level I completely agree with your opinion ( I don't want to hear I was throwing my brand A jig with my brand x bait from my boat brand z rig using my brand y rod with the great new brand w reel.) My point is that I think Bob does a good job at balancing the info he provides. Because he is sponsored by certain companies I'm sure he spends more time using their products so of course that is what he has had success with, but he doesn't say that is the only way you're going to catch fish. If I read "jig and a power grub", I can translate that to something that might be successful with a jig presentation accompanied by whatever it is I'm comfortable/confident with.

I'll be the first to admit I don't know that I've EVER caught anything on Gulp baits, but others have and it probably has a lot to do with the fact that I 1) don't have confidence in them and 2) probably try them when my normal "go to" stuff isn't working and very possibly not much else will work either. I guess I try to translate "jig and gulp x" to "jig and something I have confidence in"..

[eyeballs]

I tell ya, your post brings up an extremely important topic that isn't really discussed to much for fear of hard feelings. The reason I say it's extremely important...

Professional anglers are good for the growth of fishing and even paving the way for better techniques or a better understanding of walleye dynamics. However, would you say their message would be different if a sponsor was not involved. You bet it would be!

To me it is a diservice for companies to use professional anglers the way they get used. If you can't sell product you are of no value to them. Period! That does nothing for professional anglers credibility, a company's image, or the evolution of the perception of fishing. It's a small one dimensional, instant gratification way of thinking.

One could only hope professional angling some day will evolve to a structure more like professional golf...

You would have journey men professionals fishing small grass roots circuits, working for a company, giving seminars, selling product, many would have a direct sales position with a manufacturer or company. This would be the work that is currently being done by the big names in fishing.

These journey men could try to come out on top (individually of course) through an intense series of qualifying tournaments. They take the top five for next year's Professional Walleye Association tour.

It's every man for himself as fishing at this level means more prestige, more talent, larger purse money, and a serious gift for finding and catching walleyes. What a show of talent it would be. Sponsorship at this level would be more in line with doing commercials, displaying logos/wraps, and working at building an image for a company in the big picture - not pushing products. That should be the work of the journey man.

You take the sponsor infested mind-set away from top anglers and award them for individual performance and you're going to see networking breaking up and you're going to see who really can fish. The cream would rise.

Look at NPAA, the way they groom professional anglers to be good salesmen for a hopefull fishing sponsor. Maybe the answer is ditching fishing related companies altogether??? The leverage they have always had over a professional's career and the entire structure of the tournament world around direct product pushing is a hiccup that I would like to see come to an end. It seems like the entire business model could be better for everyone involved.

I have pushed products in the past and worked my tail off for a couple of companies. It was a thankless job that just didn't "feel" right to me.

[des moines iowa]

Thanks Smitty. Sometimes I type before thinking too well. And I know Bob has great sponsors with wonderful products that work a great percentage of the time. Like I said, I will try to offer more productive advice and give more informed constructive criticsim (if necessary). And I am always open to advice, cause God knows those eyeballs are tricky!

[des moines iowa]

Kolby I agree on a lot of your thoughts. I keep mine to boat. I love Rangers and always have. Motors? I fish tourneys with a Merc but have a 250 e-tec for my own. I do think there is little question that non "pro" anglers could fish with or out-fish "pros." I have a busy law paractice so cannot afford to have to do what sponsors want one to do. Too much time and questionable return. I would enjoy having that conversation with you Kolby.

[JAK]

Wow …I was out of town for a few days and this thread took quite a turn! I am really glad to see that cool heads prevailed. It was good to see dialog from both sides that ultimately allowed for positive resolution to the differences that were expressed.

Hopefully this will be a reminder to all of us to think a little more about what we are going to type. E-mails have a way of not saying exactly what we want them to. I know I have been guilty of not expressing myself clearly on occassion.

I also wanted to comment on my interactions with Bob. He has always been both courteous and professional. I feel that he does a great job of balancing his obligations to his sponsors with what he truly believes in. I can attest to the fact that if Bob didn’t like a product or believe in it, he would not promote it.

There is a fine line that a person has to walk when they are making their living doing what Bob does. On one hand, the sponsors have certain expectations and on the other hand, people get tired of hearing only advertisements for specific products during an entire show. I believe Bob does an exceptional job of maintaining that balance!

Bob, keep up the good work! :)

[gunnnerengle]

So any more tips on three mile? We went for three days and just caught the small ones. Used a slipp bobber and a minnow most of the time. Tried the gulp four inch black shad minnows behind a jig head. Didn't have any luck on it. But It looked good in the water. I just don't think the fish were real aggressive. Next year moving the trip to the last week of April.

[goldman]

So any more tips on three mile? We went for three days and just caught the small ones. Used a slipp bobber and a minnow most of the time. Tried the gulp four inch black shad minnows behind a jig head. Didn't have any luck on it. But It looked good in the water. I just don't think the fish were real aggressive. Next year moving the trip to the last week of April.

What do you mean by small ones? Just curious, I'm planning on spending 2-3 days down there the first week of June, not sure what to expect.
Any info on 3 mile would be good.

Thanks in advance,
Goldman

[gunnnerengle]

10 to 14 inch is the small ones im talking about. Just went last night and caught some small ones again. Had one about 2 lbs. flip off at the top of the water.
We missed the good bite. We didnt get there until 5 sat morn. It was just perfect when we got there. Seen two fish down on the dam in the shallows. Started throwing a rapala around with no luck. Then we drifted the face of the dam with jigs and crawlers once it was light. caught two and had one flip off there. Then came the wind storm. only one more fish after that. A small one off of the pump house point.
I just no if we would of got there the day before we would have had some good luck. Im tired of work screwing up my fishing.

Its snowing and blowing really good right now. Can't wait for the next opportunity to get a line wet.