Notorious Northerns

So far this week we have had many reports of Northern snatching walleye off of lines, T-boning them and shredding them. This is happening mostly where people are finding large concentrations of smaller extremely aggressive fish, 12-16 inchers. We have seen several pics of 40+ Gators this week all caught on deep weeds and structure on really large lures, like suicks, polish pike and reef hawgs. Sightings of really large Pike like the ones that are shredding walleyes are what keeps Gator hunters casting and waiting for the chance to hook into one of those elusive 50 inchers. If I have any recommendations for getting the chance at one of them I would say put 6 or 8 six to twelve inch baits in your box and put your time in casting into these schools of smaller walleye.
Hot baits for Northern right now are suick, reef hawg, large wobbler spoons
Hot baits for Walleye right now are jigs, -green and chartreuse. minnows.
Hope all is well
Lee

Fisherman's Report

This last week has been weather fit for fish rather than fishermen. Rain and Thunderstorms are still hanging around along with temps in the low 50s in the mornings. The fishing has been outstanding though for the diehards willing to fish in the rain and dodge thunder storms.

The mayflies have been hatching and blowing onto shore not giving the walleye time to snatch them up and quell their appetites. Most Walleyes are hanging around 9-12 feet of water with a few hanging around 15 feet. The water temperature is cold yet. Surface temperature is in the mid 60s to low 70s. Northern have been pretty much sticking to the bays but a few 40+ inchers have been pulled off of main lake weeds. The biggest Northern this week was 44 inches caught on a long black wooden lure about 9 inches in length. (Some of you gator fishermen might have a good idea what I am talking about). The biggest Walleye so far this week is 28 inches. The hot colors for walleye have been chrome and orange the last few days and they are biting the best on minnows and leeches but are also taking crawlers.

Game wardens and Police have been visiting Gullrock a lot this season, mainly looking for drinking and driving and they are measuring fish pretty close. One guest in particular, who in my opinion is a very honest person, measured and re-measured a Northern that appeared to be 27 ½ inches on the nose was stopped by the Conservation Officer and he measured it over by a fraction. I am recommending to everyone that if the fish is a close call, let it be released. There is plenty of fish and cutting it so close to the wire may result in a fine, even a fraction of an inch may be hard to determine out on the water.

So far this year the fishing has been outstanding. Many guests who have been coming to our camp for a long time have had records broken for quality and quantity. We feel that our conservation policy is working really well providing outstanding fishing all year.

Thanks
Lee
July 8, 2008