need report for lotw

[patrick]

going to baudette on sun wondering if any one knows whats going on on the south shore thanks for any help Rick.

[RyanH]

I was fishing LOTW out of Baudette saturday through monday of this week. I'm also heading up for a 3 day weekend the 23 thru 25th, and Labor day weekend.

The reefs or rock piles were pretty good about an hour after sunrise for a couple of hours but then slow down. Their good at night till about an hour before sunset. I don't know why it just seems to be that way up their. Your boat has to be capable to run to the reefs/rockpiles that are their though. The big bowl can get pretty rough, and it's not even worth trying if the waves are above a certain point because you can't fish the spot even if you get out to it. I had to quit on Sunday night even though the waves weren't that bad. I just couldn't keep the boat on the rockpile, and the buoy kept floating off.

I did a lot of downrigging this weekend though, and did alright on monday. We released one 23 incher, and wound up with 5 keepers for about 4 hours of fishing that day. Lots of little ones so it kept me busy. The best downrigging seemed to be out in about 27 to 28 feet with the downriggers set at varying heights. We were downrigging pretty much straight out of the Gap. You just have to keep running until you get to the depth you need. My dad will be up this weekend, and I'm recommending he start fishing at about 25 feet. He doesn't downrig yet since I just put them on the boat last weekend. Shad Rap #5 Clown was the best color downrigging, but that changes daily. People were catching fish live bait fishing out in the deeper water, and a big bottom bouncer with a Hammered brass spinner and worm could land you some really nice fish.

Good luck and let me know what works for you since I'm taking a bunch of friends up the next weekend. I could go this weekend, but a 5 1/2 hour drive one way is a little long for just the weekend. I'm sorely tempted although I think the girlfriend would kill me.

Just stay between the buoys, and you should be fine while running out to the lake. It gets shallow running four mile bay, but I usually just run it wide open to keep as little of the boat in the water as possible. I haven't had a problem yet, and I've got 21 days on the water up their this year already. I'm knocking on wood right now so that I don't jinx myself. Their were about 4 deadheads near the first red buoy when you make the right turn as your going out to run the long part of 4 mile bay. Keep your eyes open!

Hope this helps!

Ryan Hines

[patrick]

thanks for the report i will let you know how we do going up on sunday and fishing monand tuesday was there 10 days ago and did good in about 30 ft. trolling leadcore thanks again Rick

[patrick]

anyone else

[JIMJOHN]

Fished the rock humps last week. Did good. Stayed at Long Point. Bottom Bouncers and spinners did the trick. Good luck.

[patrick]

just got back and did very good in about 26 ft. of water just outside the gap pulled cranks caught some really nice fish 28 in. being the largest good luck to everone Rick,

[RyanH]

Can you be a little more specific about what color and style of crankbait was working best for you. I'm sure I'll throw a little of everything at em, but it's nice to have a starting point.

Ryan

[patrick]

hey ryan we used firetiger thunder stiks deep jrs and ripstiks rick