Jeff's Guide Service
07-05-2011, 07:37 PM
July 5 Fishing report
Hi folks.
Hope everyone out there had a great 4th of July weekend. Weather was sure spectacular and the fishing was just as good as the weather. This warming trend finally triggered the strong bite we’ve been waiting for. Some lakes have come out of the bug hatch with a vengeance. All species of fish have been doing quite well. There’s still a few lakes that are fooling with the hatch, and these should start coming into their own later this week.
Walleye fishing has been OUTSTANDING, with lots of nice fish being caught. They are beginning to transition from minnows to crawlers now. Today’s bite was about 50/50 between redtail chubs and nightcrawlers. When it comes to Walleye fishing it’s pure summer patterns now with fish being found in weeds and timber. They are also up fairly shallow – most of our activity is taking place in 5 to 8 ft. of water and hits are very aggressive. We’re talking “take the rod out of your hand type hits” here. The one thing you want to do though is still back off when this happens. 10 to 15 seconds can do the trick. The bonus fish we’ve been finding while targeting walleyes are jumbo perch. These fish are in the same areas and are running really nice size 12 to 13 inch variety.
PERCH have also been hitting chubs and crawlers, about 50/50.
SMALLMOUTH BASS are also beginning to come out of their hiding. These fish have been hanging around in 5-6 ft timber and are really liking nightcrawlers now. This bite should just improve steadily.
MUSKIES are also liking this weather. With water temps hovering around 77, big fish have begun to move. We’ve been catching muskies pretty steady now and seeing some real big fish along the way chasing our walleyes when walleye fishing. A variety of lures is working very well. Bucktails seem to rile them up and occasionally catch one, but the 9” perch-colored Suick has been deadly. I’m finding fish on DEEP weeds. Nothing up real tight. Weed depth in 12 to 15 feet seem to be the places to look when chasing these prized fish. Look for surface lure activity to begin shortly. They’re beginning to look at top water. The next step is to hit it.
Good luck fishing.
Jeff Winters
Hi folks.
Hope everyone out there had a great 4th of July weekend. Weather was sure spectacular and the fishing was just as good as the weather. This warming trend finally triggered the strong bite we’ve been waiting for. Some lakes have come out of the bug hatch with a vengeance. All species of fish have been doing quite well. There’s still a few lakes that are fooling with the hatch, and these should start coming into their own later this week.
Walleye fishing has been OUTSTANDING, with lots of nice fish being caught. They are beginning to transition from minnows to crawlers now. Today’s bite was about 50/50 between redtail chubs and nightcrawlers. When it comes to Walleye fishing it’s pure summer patterns now with fish being found in weeds and timber. They are also up fairly shallow – most of our activity is taking place in 5 to 8 ft. of water and hits are very aggressive. We’re talking “take the rod out of your hand type hits” here. The one thing you want to do though is still back off when this happens. 10 to 15 seconds can do the trick. The bonus fish we’ve been finding while targeting walleyes are jumbo perch. These fish are in the same areas and are running really nice size 12 to 13 inch variety.
PERCH have also been hitting chubs and crawlers, about 50/50.
SMALLMOUTH BASS are also beginning to come out of their hiding. These fish have been hanging around in 5-6 ft timber and are really liking nightcrawlers now. This bite should just improve steadily.
MUSKIES are also liking this weather. With water temps hovering around 77, big fish have begun to move. We’ve been catching muskies pretty steady now and seeing some real big fish along the way chasing our walleyes when walleye fishing. A variety of lures is working very well. Bucktails seem to rile them up and occasionally catch one, but the 9” perch-colored Suick has been deadly. I’m finding fish on DEEP weeds. Nothing up real tight. Weed depth in 12 to 15 feet seem to be the places to look when chasing these prized fish. Look for surface lure activity to begin shortly. They’re beginning to look at top water. The next step is to hit it.
Good luck fishing.
Jeff Winters