Petenwell Advice

[Mckoz]

My son has talked me into going to Petenwell for some type of tournament the first week of June. I have never been there before nor do I know zip about the place (including where to stay.)

I have no illusions about our chances however, don't want to look like a fool out there! Any info would be tremendously appreciated.

Thanks Mike

[JKJ]

You will probably want to find a place in Neceeda (sp)

Since you can run six lines between you and your partner, bring no less than 100 crankbaits. Petenwell is basically a flooded out forest with tons of stumps. Snag city, big time!

[River rat]

Mike, Wisconsin Rapids is 10 minutes away from Petenwell and has numerous motels, to the best of my knowledge yhere are no resorts on the flowage. You can fish a couple a ways, either trolling cranks or jig and a minnow, either way will work that time of year. You will lose a lot of baits though, especially on the big end.

[Mckoz]

Looks like I better start filling up the jig boxes - too new at trolling to try in the stumps! Thanks for the info.

Mike

[BD]

Snag prevention; Remove the belly hooks from your crankbaits (try it on one first) and see if they still swim (jointed L&S will, Flatfish won't etc). If you can't remove the belly hooks try cuting the belly hooks at the bend and try again, or replace the belly hooks with a snap swivel large enough to replace the weight/drag of the hook. Replace the tail hook with a weedless hook. Your hooking percentage may drop slightly but you will not be offering up 100 cranks to the stump god. Power Baits rigged weedless with a bullet type in line sinker (bass style), or a walking type jig/minnow combo is also good.

"Why fish with an angle for sport? Because we remain atavistically hunters. The predatory instinct strikes a deep and resonant chord in the male psyche. Some of us fish to remain sane in a topsy-turvy, mechanized, frantic world." --- Carl von Essen, M.D.

[fisheyes]

All the advice given has been good .I ve spents thousands of hours on that water and can say call Tom & Kelly at the Bay rest resort great rooms lake accses is right down the street and if u wanted u could sit on there pier and fish . As far as the fishing in june I would start shallow in the wood and dont troll unless wind direction says u have to do to boat control.Throw shallow shad raps and thunder stks and move slow and quite with your electric . I start in 2 to 4' and work my way out also try light jigs. If all else fails out come the boards and the wallet because u will lose baits but it is productive good luck and we will see u there

[ggg]

I have done very well on Petenwell trolling very slow upstream
using bottom bouncers and a 6' leader tipped with a minnow.
You can probe every nook and cranny and very seldom lose any
equipment. Good luck.

[jerryb]

Mike,
I only want to add that if your going to fish Petenwell then a good lure retriever is a must! I been using one that works fairly well. It's 6" in length with chain and weighs over 2 lbs. The heavy weight helps to bust through the branches allowing the retriever to reach the hung bait. It cost $32 but well worth it.
Good luck in June, Jerry

[Mckoz]

Thanks again - The lure retriever sounds like a good idea anyway,
always thought about it but never bought one. I've noticed that you all suggested minnows etc. do you ever you leeches up there??

Mike

[bracketpro]

HI MCKOZ! WALLEYE HUNTERS GUIDE SERVICE HERE! ALL OF THE ADVISE IS PRETTY MUCH ON TRACK.WE DO IT ALL ON THE PETENWELL, FROM PULLING LEAD CORE TO JIGGIN WOOD IN VERY SHALLOW WATER. THIS PLACE HAS IT ALL, INCLUDING MOST OF MY GEAR HA HA!. TOM AND KELLY AT BAY REST RESORT ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND HAVE A VERY NICE PLACE, AFFORDABLE AND 1/8 MI FROM BOAT RAMP. THEIR # IS (608)564-7020. ANY QUESTIONS GIVE ME A SHOUT AT (262)644-5337 WALLEYEBOB. TELL TOM&KELLY ,WALLEYEHUNTERS GUIDE SERVICE FROM SLINGER WISC SENT YOU I HOPE THIS HELPS

[Mckoz]

Thanks Bob - appreciate it, Also thanks for all the great info at the boat show. My son & I especially appreciate all the info you provided us about your Bracket Pro and the trolling tips.

The time you spent with us was amazing, I hope all the guys out here looking for kicker Support systems get hold of you b4 they buy.

Thanks Mike

[135 Guy]

Ha thats the way I like to see the rest of the field fish too, buddy. Get every one to cut half the hooks off there baits. The extension pole with a very hard spring looking end is what has been working well for me. Sometimes it takes along time to get them unhooked and I'll break the line. Several things I'll do is take the boat to the opposite side of the stump and first try and get it loose from the other direction. Sometimes if it comes loose theres a fish looking at it and it can strike the bait when its pulled away. It's happend for me way more than once. Another tip that I can give you is set the reels on clicker so you know right away the bait is stuck.

[bracketpro]

THANKS MIKE! YOU ARE VERY WELCOME! I AM GLAD I HAD THE OPPURTUNITY TO MEET YOU AND YOUR SON. ANY WAY I CAN HELP YOU OUT ,JUST GIVE ME A SHOUT, YOU GOT MY NUMBER, DONT BE A STRANGER. TAKE CARE . ROBERT

[Jiggereye]

Hi guys,
e-mail me at ecklor@hotmail.com I will be glad to show you guys around when you come up. Lawrence

[BD]

Lets see; You and your partner are trolling six lines and one gets hung up. You get in all of your lines and go back to retrieve the one thats hung up. That done you start setting all your lines out again. What's this? Another snag. Get in your lines and go get your plug back and start all over again. How much actual fishing will you be doing? By snag proofing my plugs I may miss a few strikes but I will be fishing 99% of the time. If your lucky in that timber you will be fishing 10%of the time. I like my chances better. What's your other option? Just break it off and tie on a new one. I'm glad for you if you can afford to do that but I doubt that you can.

[Lund_Dude]

Hey Bracketpro:

I see that your place is in Slinger. I am from Hartford. Do you fish Pike or Big/Little Cedar Lakes? Maybe we can do an "on the water demonstration" some time?

[bracketpro]

hey lund dude! give us a call at 644-5337 we would be happy to do a demo for ya! as far as fishing, pike and bigcedar,we dont fish them very much,to much pressure to little fish, plus we are usuallygone to other waters for tournys ,promos,guiding,etc. give us acall,its local . thank you robert

[135 Guy]

I've placed in the top 10 for the last 5 years on Petenwell and Castle Rock. Learn the area you fish and run your baits above the wood. fish will come up for the bait. I've had this same conversation with alot of others and just cant bring myself to cutting the hooks off. I like to sharpen the hooks. Two different ways of doing things, if your winning I will be looking in your boat. Hope to see ya on the water.

[BD]

I agree, but the question was from someone that apparently isn't familiar with the lake and the first responce is from someone that runs his baits deep. My reply was to these two. Most of my baits are not snag proofed but I keep a couple in my box just in case the pattern calls for the cranks to be down in the timber.