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Thread: Saginaw Bat 1st Time EVER, with Skillet no less.

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    Default Saginaw Bat 1st Time EVER, with Skillet no less.


    What a flurry for a trip....................

    Started Friday,
    Rich posted something in "Shots form the Hip" about Skillet to go to Saginaw for Walleye, and Ready2Fish, was not available........

    We know why Jim is still not going, he is still "Waiting4Boat" probably in the closet sucking his thumb, wishing he still had his boat..........Jim, when we getting an update? Heard rumor your looking at an alternate boat now, besides the warrior??????

    Anyway, Called Skillet, and plans were made, we were going to launch Sunday around 8-9. Looking at the map, and drive time, I could do that from GR. Was told, I would get a call for launch time, depending on Saturday results. Great, my first trip on the Sagniaw bay was planned. Then he calls Saturday night about 7 pm, and says lets launch @ 7:00am.

    SEVEN AM? That does not meet the required amount of time for me to look AWESOME............ 3AM Wake up call, then drive to Linwood? Was he NUTS?

    Think FAST OneidaEagle, Think FAST, So I called GreyBeard who lives on the Kawkawlin River. (I hunted with him for 20 some years) and actually drove up and stayed at their place on the Kawkalin River. I didn't have to get up until 6am. That was WAY BETTER. He is actually 2.6 Miles from the Patterson Launch.

    So I was at Linwood BRIGHT EYED and BUSHY Tailed, and AWAKE, for my first ever trip on Saginaw bay.

    The first thing I was told, was that the "Addiction was about to begin" Skillet was right in a way, but I will get to that.....I met the third guy Dave as well.

    Saginaw was not much different than the Detroit River as far as launching. It was a zoo, well not so mush a zoo as in BUSY, but we are surrounded by idiots. As we were launching a guy went over the rock landscaping bank, and was dragging his trailer on the rocks at the launch. I'm yelling to Skillet, "Check that out" Later when we were leaving that guy was parked in front of my truck he and another guy are putting air in the tire, and ask me "Does that look crooked to you?" "Why, yes it does............":and the dual axle trailer had a bent left rear wheel. Funny thing was, the guy found it more important to show me his cooler of fish, after having a stranger confirm, that yes indeed his axle was messed up..........

    Anyway,
    On the water, the "Addiction slowly started". While dressed up in a base layer, Merinao Wool Long johns, My Striker Ice Hoodie, and my Striker Ice Predator suit, I was READY, to stay WARM.

    After getting to the initial location, we were ready, lures were chosen, boards were set, and we were fishing.

    1/2 way through the day, we saw Rich, Captain Winkie, and the "Other Ginger" You could tell the Gingers were uneasy in such close proximity, Tense, glaring stares, and the quick grasp of sun screen by each so its not stolen by the other....... See its just not good to have 2 gingers who have not been introduced properly in a NON SUN environment, in such close proximity, in board daylight, with water reflecting the sun. The tension was incredible, it was like two cats staring each other down, until Rich motored away, once past the minimum 200 yards, the Gingers were way calmer........

    Throughout the day, we devoured 4Lbs of Venison Jerky, and a sample of a Whiskey Maple that I am trying to perfect. Maybe a bit less pepper, but it sure was GOOD for a first attempt.

    We lost one, at one time cuz Dave was eating Jerky, matter of fact we ALL were eating some Jerky and a rod goes off next to Dave. With a full mouth of Jerky, is sounded like "Get yjosod Rod..........Fish, outrrrossee,,,, side........." Then the discussion (With no food in our mouths) about how Dave was sitting right next to it, and grab it......... his excuse, I'm eating, you grab it,well, we were all eating......
    Probably should have named Dave "Special D" after that little mishap.......

    I learned all sorts of new terms, like "Dirt Button" and all sorts of new lure colors. See "Special D" had his own color schemes, that I can not repeat here, that were fantastically humorous.

    There was the discussion about how with ever new boat purchase it comes with............. NOT a Captains license, but a personality. After much though maybe BOTH.

    Did have to correct Skillet about calling me "Sir". With that corrected, we humored on through our day, with many laughs.

    When "Special D" found out I had 4 kids, he told me I was "Naaaasty", I laughing told him, in this rare case, would be required to call me "Sir", at which point after the air was progressing across my vocal chords, and the syllables were being spoken I knew it was a bad thing......... So the rest of the trip, "Special D" was calling my "Sir Nasty". I knew better, but it was hilarious.

    We ended the day with 16, I think Skillet said, Fish were divided and we departed Linwood.

    Got back to GreyBeards, and cleaned fish on the tailgate, had a shower, packed the truck for the drive home, and pit stops, then had some fresh baked Walleye for my dinner, with GreyBeard & his Wife.
    Then headed to Alma to help my Son with some things, then my Moms in Vestaburg, then arrived home about midnight.

    Monday was a Sleep In day, and unpack the truck, and have some Walleye for Dinner again. We are now out of Walleye Wings, those were devoured by my wife and one of my daughters. Of all the fish I "HAD" I have some Cheeks, and 2 Fillets left for the Wife and I to eat, when we can make sure the kids are absent....... Yup, I raised carnivores.

    Skillet was right about the addiction, but not in the way he thought. I had MORE FUN, fishing with others than ALONE, which I have fished alone done for so long, it was nice to laugh, relax, and the laugh some more, and laugh, or and call people names, and be called name,s and laugh some more. Even the Silent Ginger stare down was a great laugh.

    Like the Fall Crappie Camp, it was a riot, and the laughs started before we even launched.

    Thanks to Skillet for the great time.......
    Custom Rods: Out-Snagging Berkly's 7-2 Since 2019 / Custom Rods: Collecting more dust that Berkley due to Covid Since 2020
    Custom Rods: Not afraid to show, in 2021

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    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
    Custom Rods: Out-Snagging Berkly's 7-2 Since 2019 / Custom Rods: Collecting more dust that Berkley due to Covid Since 2020
    Custom Rods: Not afraid to show, in 2021


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    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
    Custom Rods: Out-Snagging Berkly's 7-2 Since 2019 / Custom Rods: Collecting more dust that Berkley due to Covid Since 2020
    Custom Rods: Not afraid to show, in 2021


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    Quote Originally Posted by OneidaEagle View Post
    cooler of fish,

    Was it a Engel?



    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
    2017 MiCDC fall crappie guide of the year (FCGOTY)
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    Haulin Ash Fishing Rocks-"D"
    Caution: If we fish together, you may be on YouTube

  5. #5
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    Last picture looks good, funny thing is i have had cheeks but never cooked any wings

    Unbelievable conditions with a good December bite, looked like a good time to bad all i know how to do is work anymore

    I believe i read Rich said DDHJ worked for him and his crew, what were you guys using?

    I want to pick up some Flickers just don't know what works best, Minnows or shad, oh i forgot this is Walleye fishing buy both

    I'm getting closer on the boat thing, i have Cisco tracks and new rod bases and a few rod holders, getting ready to pick up a speed controller for my kicker , also going back to Minn Kota for my new Vexus
    Likes Redge, OneidaEagle LIKED above post

  6. #6
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    Steve,

    Of course I took my Engel.

    Should have seen Skillet crack up laughing.......

    Jim,

    Wings are my favorite, wife likes to hoard them and eat them as well.

    I’m allergic to shell fish, and when beer battered, they taste like what I remember Buttered Lobster tasting like as a kid.

    I truly don’t know what we’re were using other than DDHJ & Flicker Minnows.

    I was to busy laughing at Special D, calling out his favorite colors of lures.

    If you work to much to use the new boat, drop it off........

    You know where my driveway is...........ROFLMAO


    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
    Custom Rods: Out-Snagging Berkly's 7-2 Since 2019 / Custom Rods: Collecting more dust that Berkley due to Covid Since 2020
    Custom Rods: Not afraid to show, in 2021


  7. #7
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    I went against my own advice and launched from the dumpster fire we like to refer to as Patterson. I had heard reports that there was only one dock in and the outhouses smelled like what you would expect from a small building overflowing with turds that has slowly baked all summer in the crock pot called a toilet vault.

    Captain Winkie, The BSG (Big sexy ginger as he refers to himself) and I decided on Saturday that we really didn't want to drive early on Sunday. We decided to drive up Saturday night and get a hotel. Paper, rock, scissors confirmed that The BSG would be springing for the hotel. Unfortunately, that meant I payed for truck and boat gas. I had not filled my boat since Day one of Alpena and had been on the water 5 times since then. To say I got the short end of that stick was an understatement.

    We had a dinner at Ponderosa which none of us had ate at in a long time. Now we remember why we had not eaten there in a long time! I did continue my trend of finding the food that gives me the most gas... Cabbage roles.

    Captain winkie would later be greated with a quick fly by as well as an attempt at a dutch oven.

    We awoke at 6am, showered, readied the boat in the parking lot and made the drive down to Patterson (AKA Dumpster Fire). Fortunately, with our skills launching and our experience with tournament fishing, we made short work of the launch process and proceeded fishing. I've already reported on that.

    The Ginger stare down was epic. Through squinting eyes you could see the "Day walkers" glare at one another. Neither wanted to say much. Mostly because they were bundled from head to toe. Gingers get cold easily! Both of them craddled their bottles of SPF 4 billion like a homeless man hording that last few swigs of his 40oz bottle of Black Label. In all seriousness, Aaron and Brian are a lot alike so I'm sure that a more conventional meet and great would be much better than thrusting two male cats into a dufflebag and shaking it around for a few minutes.

    We have a great time fishing. The more boats the better. Not only can you share tips and locations, but also share in the ribbing of one another. As if giving three people in one boat a hard time isn't enough fun, having another boat is even better!

    Reminds me of the time that David, Kevin, and I went perch fishing out of Grand Haven. It was during the Coast guard fest. As we were motoring out, all the people walking on the pier were taking notice of the white guy with two black guys. I decided to start telling them that they kidnapped me... David of course stuttered to me "Shut up". To which I began giving him a hard time which bred more stuttering due to the excitment. Kevin and I also figured out a fun way to get rid of Gobies involving an old spoon. Amazing what grown men find fun. Next time, I'm bringing a tennis racket!

    Learning in this setting beats anything else hands down. Kevin and I have been doing this for awhile and we bounce stuff off each other all the time. We run our setups very similar and our success shows for how we do things. Anybody that wants to learn can hop in. A good fun leason!!!
    I have OCD "Obsessive Crappie Disorder"
    Likes ready2fish LIKED above post

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by ready2fish View Post
    Last picture looks good, funny thing is i have had cheeks but never cooked any wings

    Unbelievable conditions with a good December bite, looked like a good time to bad all i know how to do is work anymore

    I believe i read Rich said DDHJ worked for him and his crew, what were you guys using?

    I want to pick up some Flickers just don't know what works best, Minnows or shad, oh i forgot this is Walleye fishing buy both

    I'm getting closer on the boat thing, i have Cisco tracks and new rod bases and a few rod holders, getting ready to pick up a speed controller for my kicker , also going back to Minn Kota for my new Vexus


    Jimmy,
    Your best bet is to have a combination of different baits. Some days, one will outshine another. Last weekend was the first time this year that DDHJ lures outperformed flicker minnows. The sizes and action of the baits are different. For me, I like the size 9 flicker minnows. They actually dive deaper than the newer 11's with less line out. They produce a different action than the DDHJ. DDHJ's have a lazy type of wobble where the flickers are more erratic. Word of caution, you do need to tune the flickers out of the box as they don't run right. Also, keep a good supply of replacment hooks and snap ring pliers. The hooks are junk. You can get a couple of trips out of them before they dull and you cannot sharpen them due to the chemical sharpening process. Although the hooks hold really nice, they are tough to get out of some fish and are prone to breaking. I've broken a ton of them.

    Although we do have the shad as well, we have found them to not be as productive as the minnows. They do not dive as deep but, they do work in the right conditions. I am currently testing a few theories with the size 5 shad running shallow overtop of weeds and in really shallow water conditions.

    Key colors for flicker minnows:
    Slick Green alewife
    Slick blue alewife
    Slick Smelt
    Lime Chrome
    Pink Lemonade
    Prime Time
    Slick Black Pearl
    Slick Green Pearl

    For DDHJ's, you can get lost in the shuffle of all of the custom colors. For starters, ensure you have the standard colors: Clown, gold, silver blue, purple clown, yellow perch, and pink clown.

    For custom colors, ensure you have some pearl style colors... Barbie is very common (purple head) along with wonderbread (orange or chartreuse head). Rugburn, Pink Squirrel, Purple Salamander. These are from Warrior Lures.

    From Jann's, Crippler, Gangsta Paradise, Prison Break, Reel Naughty

    ALWAYS buy two!

    There are other cranks, and we have tested them. All have their days and times we use them. Reef runners are common and have some great action. I carry these as they tend to run deeper with less line out. Matzuo Kinchu size 11 if another one that dives quick and has some action. I tend to stay away from the Smithwick Perfect 10's and 20's. They just don't dive deep enough for me and frankly, I can get the same colors in other baits that I like better.

    Walmart online usually has baits pretty cheap compared to others. Frank's has about any custom you could ever want and Northwood's has Rapala standard colors for as cheap as you will find them.
    I have OCD "Obsessive Crappie Disorder"

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by wicklundrh View Post
    Jimmy,
    Your best bet is to have a combination of different baits. Some days, one will outshine another. Last weekend was the first time this year that DDHJ lures outperformed flicker minnows. The sizes and action of the baits are different. For me, I like the size 9 flicker minnows. They actually dive deaper than the newer 11's with less line out. They produce a different action than the DDHJ. DDHJ's have a lazy type of wobble where the flickers are more erratic. Word of caution, you do need to tune the flickers out of the box as they don't run right. Also, keep a good supply of replacment hooks and snap ring pliers. The hooks are junk. You can get a couple of trips out of them before they dull and you cannot sharpen them due to the chemical sharpening process. Although the hooks hold really nice, they are tough to get out of some fish and are prone to breaking. I've broken a ton of them.

    Although we do have the shad as well, we have found them to not be as productive as the minnows. They do not dive as deep but, they do work in the right conditions. I am currently testing a few theories with the size 5 shad running shallow overtop of weeds and in really shallow water conditions.

    Key colors for flicker minnows:
    Slick Green alewife
    Slick blue alewife
    Slick Smelt
    Lime Chrome
    Pink Lemonade
    Prime Time
    Slick Black Pearl
    Slick Green Pearl

    For DDHJ's, you can get lost in the shuffle of all of the custom colors. For starters, ensure you have the standard colors: Clown, gold, silver blue, purple clown, yellow perch, and pink clown.

    For custom colors, ensure you have some pearl style colors... Barbie is very common (purple head) along with wonderbread (orange or chartreuse head). Rugburn, Pink Squirrel, Purple Salamander. These are from Warrior Lures.

    From Jann's, Crippler, Gangsta Paradise, Prison Break, Reel Naughty

    ALWAYS buy two!

    There are other cranks, and we have tested them. All have their days and times we use them. Reef runners are common and have some great action. I carry these as they tend to run deeper with less line out. Matzuo Kinchu size 11 if another one that dives quick and has some action. I tend to stay away from the Smithwick Perfect 10's and 20's. They just don't dive deep enough for me and frankly, I can get the same colors in other baits that I like better.

    Walmart online usually has baits pretty cheap compared to others. Frank's has about any custom you could ever want and Northwood's has Rapala standard colors for as cheap as you will find them.
    I was hoping you were going to jump in,as always good info, thanks

    I have some ddhj and bandits just need to start playing around with flickers, getting tired of all the junk fish stealing my crawlers off my harnesses also getting a kicker will help

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

  10. #10
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    Yes, crawlers can do that from time to time!

    There are days when they will outshine cranks but, we usually like to throw a couple of cranks with our crawler spread. One thing I've learned over the last few years, especially early in the morning, is to run my outside boards with cranks and run them up high in the water column. Even on days when they are hitting crawlers really well, your biggest fish will be on cranks! As the morning goes on and the crawlers take off, we adjust down on our cranks.

    Another thing I have played with is running a three way swivel. On one end, I tie a two foot leader and affix that to a crank bait. On the other side of the three way, I tie a leader about 1 foot shorter than my rod and affix a crawler harness. I use the crank bait to take the harness down to depth. I do this to target suspended fish. Many times they will come up and look at the crank and drill the harness. Or, one attracts them and they hit the other! It is a great tool that I am still working with but love it so far.

    Kicker motors are awesome. Although I troll with my TM a ton, the kicker has become so vital that I don't know how I did it without it. It gives me the ability to target areas that would not be conducive to targeting with certain wind situations. For a good quality read (sarcasm) read the article written by Mark Martin from a couple of months ago in regards to trolling harnesses and cranks (Woods N Water). After you read it, FLUSH IT DOWN THE TOILET!!!! Following his own advice might be the reason why he has not beaten Kevin or I in the last 8 tournaments he has entered!!!
    I have OCD "Obsessive Crappie Disorder"

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