Jmhalvo

So sully you use swim jigs even when flippin. Also what determines your trailer style?

Went out in the afternoon heat today. Horrible, not a bite. Was definitely fishing, not catching. Not a good feeling but I try to enjoy it

I think a July high pressure reading this week that was an ALL TIME HIGH for July qualifies as unusual - I think it did not help at all. So there is an excuse just waiting to be picked up, so I will. Wednesday between storms was fantastic- high pressure hadn’t moved in obviously. Friday was tough, a minor bite til noon then zip. In 8 hours Friday I caught 4 fish, all before 10:30...my partner caught about 8,all T rigged in the thick stuff. Sunday was pretty good (2-3 per hour myself) with T rigged Rage bugs mid depths and some on wood. Only one fish top water. I love lay downs...it seems every tree has fish. I have found the bigger baits better than senko lately.

I just read that Yesterday St Cloud had an all-time high pressure reading for July. Interesting cuz the bite was hot, then really dropped off in Alexandria thurs/fri. I guess that explains it...or it could of course just be the fisherman

Wacky is incredible- ever insert a nail in one end? Causes it to “back up”

Yakkers like “no public access”

Spicer was a bust- wind died and so did we

Doesn’t Big Bass Lk have new Catch and Release only? Might be good....

2009 survey shows DNR captured exactly one bass- 19 inch. Old survey, but the DNR does not mention bass on their list of species in the lake

Are those big jigs getting bit?

Where have Wacky ring-installation pens been all my life

Yes, added weight to the fluke...they were not hitting on top or I would’ve gone weightless fluke. To me it was not “clear” water but just not quite stained

More towards clear- could see bottom up to 6 ft...as opposed to the Chain where sechi disc is over 20ft

Small lake nears Alex tonite WTemp was 73, really good action 2-5 ft. Zero topwater, but great on chatter and fluke. Boated a 21,an 18, and about 20 bass that were 15-18. Almost without fail, there would be a bed near submerged logs/timber. A great time. Probably try the actual Alex Chain this weekend, but temp on CARLOS still only 64.

I kayak St Cloud to Monticello a lot....no way a prop motor will make it there! I do see boats, but none with propellers

Find a smaller lake, temps close to 70

5am air temp 65, great shallow bite including Whopper Plopper. By 9am, air temp 52...shut down.

It does sound like pre spawn... on Tuesday I found 70 degree water and very aggressive bed protectors in a small lake. My guess is this next week will be better BUT of course now the weekend weather looks ready to shut some of that down a bit. It’s always something!

Hit my trusty Yak lake today, lotsa fish in 4 ft. Best bait by far was weighted coffee fluke- thx for the tip FryDog!

I have never had a great day on the Mnpls Chain. Stumped.

Thanks for the concern ! Back in the Cities, hoping to sneak out to some “warm” water Tuesday

Amazingly, Sat am water temp here on the Alexandria Chain was only 43 (L Carlos ice had only been totally out for 7days). That has to be a record, or close to it. I didn’t even see minnows let alone bass. I traveled about 2 miles of bulrushes on the north end without fishing, and saw 4 crappies and 2 bass in the gin-clear water (zebra mussels). Without wind, the bottom is completely visible at any depth light penetrates due to the mussels. No doubt this ecosystem is completely changed. It’s very pretty but it can’t be good for fishing.

Alexandria report: not so much

A double whammy! Sounds like time for a little negotiating. Good luck with that!

Alexandria (Mother’s Day weekend). Will hit Blackwell as well as the Chain