Well, if you run out you can have all of ours. No limit and  no fishing pressure.

16 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

We're still at 30 here - they make a decent meal

 

Given how many posts @TnRiver46 has of these things lately, followed by a meal of them, I would like to try one sometime.  I assume they're present in larger rivers.  Not sure about any lakes around here though.  I've never caught one, even by accident, and neither has anyone I know around here either.

3 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Given how many posts @TnRiver46 has of these things lately, followed by a meal of them, I would like to try one sometime.  I assume they're present in larger rivers.  Not sure about any lakes around here though.  I've never caught one, even by accident, and neither has anyone I know around here either.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish/whitebass/index.html

"White bass are common in the Minnesota River, the St. Croix River below Taylors Falls, the Mississippi below St. Anthony Falls and major tributaries, such as the Cannon and Zumbro rivers. Fish also are found in reservoirs on these river systems and in several lakes in southern Minnesota."

4 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish/whitebass/index.html

"White bass are common in the Minnesota River, the St. Croix River below Taylors Falls, the Mississippi below St. Anthony Falls and major tributaries, such as the Cannon and Zumbro rivers. Fish also are found in reservoirs on these river systems and in several lakes in southern Minnesota."

That explains why I've never caught one.  Rarely fish any of those locations.

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

Given how many posts @TnRiver46 has of these things lately, followed by a meal of them, I would like to try one sometime.  I assume they're present in larger rivers.  Not sure about any lakes around here though.  I've never caught one, even by accident, and neither has anyone I know around here either.

Very tasty white meat fish! I’ve seen people on tv catching them by the boat load somewhere in Wisconsin, something flowage. They do like flow! The more the better

3 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve seen people on tv catching them by the boat load somewhere in Wisconsin, something flowage.

Well, there's plenty of rivers in WI - and the limit on White, Rock, and Yellow bass there is....No Limit - so ya, 'boat loads' is allowed.

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/regulations/dailybag.html

First outing of 23 today. Guess it seems fitting the temp was 23 when I launched at 7. Fought icing guides and level wind all morning. First bite came about 9:30. The fish came unbuttoned before I got to see it but it felt pretty good. Didn't get another bite until about 1:00. It was a 36"-38" ish fish that shook off at boat side while I was reaching for the net. Grrr.... I found redemption about five minutes later when I put this obese 44" in the net.  One for three ain't good, but given this is the one, I'll gladly take it. I'll be back after 'em tomorrow. Great to be back on the water.

@T-Billy wasting no time getting on the muskies. 

1 hour ago, T-Billy said:

First outing of 23 today. Guess it seems fitting the temp was 23 when I launched at 7. Fought icing guides and level wind all morning. First bite came about 9:30. The fish came unbuttoned before I got to see it but it felt pretty good. Didn't get another bite until about 1:00. It was a 36"-38" ish fish that shook off at boat side while I was reaching for the net. Grrr.... I found redemption about five minutes later when I put this obese 44" in the net.  One for three ain't good, but given this is the one, I'll gladly take it. I'll be back after 'em tomorrow. Great to be back on the water.

@T-Billy the beast! Nice fish!

1 hour ago, T-Billy said:

First outing of 23 today. Guess it seems fitting the temp was 23 when I launched at 7. Fought icing guides and level wind all morning. First bite came about 9:30. The fish came unbuttoned before I got to see it but it felt pretty good. Didn't get another bite until about 1:00. It was a 36"-38" ish fish that shook off at boat side while I was reaching for the net. Grrr.... I found redemption about five minutes later when I put this obese 44" in the net.  One for three ain't good, but given this is the one, I'll gladly take it. I'll be back after 'em tomorrow. Great to be back on the water.

Nice fish!!! fat one 

1 hour ago, Jar11591 said:

@T-Billy wasting no time getting on the muskies. 

And he musta trapped another wolf this winter too I see.

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

And he musta trapped another wolf this winter too I see.

It’s 5 squirrels tied together 

4 hours ago, T-Billy said:

First outing of 23 today. Guess it seems fitting the temp was 23 when I launched at 7. Fought icing guides and level wind all morning. First bite came about 9:30. The fish came unbuttoned before I got to see it but it felt pretty good. Didn't get another bite until about 1:00. It was a 36"-38" ish fish that shook off at boat side while I was reaching for the net. Grrr.... I found redemption about five minutes later when I put this obese 44" in the net.  One for three ain't good, but given this is the one, I'll gladly take it. I'll be back after 'em tomorrow. Great to be back on the water.

My gosh, you literally picked up where you left off, that's incredible!  

6 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

My gosh, you literally picked up where you left off, that's incredible!  

Surface temp is 38-40. Same as when I hung it up last Dec. Extended forecast is looking good. It's only gonna get better for the next few weeks!!! Hang on, Muskiepalooza 23 spring edition is underway!!! 

22 hours ago, gimruis said:

And he musta trapped another wolf this winter too I see.

 

19 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

It’s 5 squirrels tied together 

No offense Russ, but I like gimruis's story better. LOL.

 

Back after 'em again today. Caught three, lost one. 34" 40" and a new PB. 47.5" What a beast!!! Caught it on my last stop on the way back to the ramp at the mouth of a little cut that's been good to me many times in the past. POW!!! Just a 1/2" shy of hanging on the wall. She pooped all over me and the boat. Look close, she's squirting a mess as the pic snapped. ?

 

18 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

new PB. 47.5

Congrats on the new PB.

 

Wolf > squirrel

 

@TnRiver46 is just jealous because all he can trap are squirrels.  He hasn't shown proof of a wolf in his trapping thread yet.

4 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Congrats on the new PB.

 

Wolf > squirrel

 

@TnRiver46 is just jealous because all he can trap are squirrels.  He hasn't shown proof of a wolf in his trapping thread yet.

Careful. He doesn't catch wolves, but he does catch lots of skunks. You could end up with a bunch of them via "special delivery".

2 hours ago, T-Billy said:

 

No offense Russ, but I like gimruis's story better. LOL.

 

Back after 'em again today. Caught three, lost one. 34" 40" and a new PB. 47.5" What a beast!!! Caught it on my last stop on the way back to the ramp at the mouth of a little cut that's been good to me many times in the past. POW!!! Just a 1/2" shy of hanging on the wall. She pooped all over me and the boat. Look close, she's squirting a mess as the pic snapped. ?

 

I'd probably just become a Musky fisherman if I were you.....then you'll catch the OH LGM record  ?

 

What does something like that weigh?  I've asked before but forgot, they look massive.     You really need a GoPro, I'd love to see how you catch one of these things.  

2 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I'd probably just become a Musky fisherman if I were you.....then you'll catch the OH LGM record  ?

 

What does something like that weigh?  I've asked before but forgot, they look massive.     You really need a GoPro, I'd love to see how you catch one of these things.  

I don't weigh them because I don't want to risk injuring them by hanging them from that gripper. That's a lot of weight to hang from such a small point. I'd guess that big girl at 40# +. 

OH State record is 50.5" 55.13#.

20 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Caught three, lost one. 34" 40" and a new PB. 47.5" What a beast!!!

Awesome fish! Perfect picture!

 

P.S. I'll never go skinny dipping in Ohio now. Yikes.

21 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Back after 'em again today. Caught three, lost one. 34" 40" and a new PB. 47.5" What a beast!!! Caught it on my last stop on the way back to the ramp at the mouth of a little cut that's been good to me many times in the past. POW!!! Just a 1/2" shy of hanging on the wall. She pooped all over me and the boat. Look close, she's squirting a mess as the pic snapped. ?

 

Holy Smokes Man ~ What a Beast is right !

Nicely Done and Congrats on the new Personal Best. 

btw - your local bass population has got to be overjoyed with this recent musky addiction.

A-Jay

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Holy Smokes Man ~ What a Beast is right !

Nicely Done and Congrats on the new Personal Best. 

btw - your local bass population has got to be overjoyed with this recent musky addiction.

A-Jay

Thanks A-Jay. Yeah, the bass are getting an early and late season reprieve. The rig has truly been a game changer for me. It was so successful last fall, I got busy in the T-Billy Skunkworks this winter and built some truly esox worthy rigs. All stainless construction including the swivels. .051 wires all mechanically locked and soldered together inside a piece of stainless tubing to form the head. The 48# hyperwire split rings are the weakest link. Jigheads have been replaced with a bell sinker and 5/0 flippin hook. Running 4.8 Keitechs. I now have a rig I can be confident in when leaning hard into those big girls. 

Edit to add: These rigs only cost me about $5 apiece to make, and I can build one in about 15 minutes.

39 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Thanks A-Jay. Yeah, the bass are getting an early and late season reprieve. The rig has truly been a game changer for me. It was so successful last fall, I got busy in the T-Billy Skunkworks this winter and built some truly esox worthy rigs. All stainless construction including the swivels. .051 wires all mechanically locked and soldered together inside a piece of stainless tubing to form the head. The 48# hyperwire split rings are the weakest link. Jigheads have been replaced with a bell sinker and 5/0 flippin hook. Running 4.8 Keitechs. I now have a rig I can be confident in when leaning hard into those big girls. 

Edit to add: These rigs only cost me about $5 apiece to make, and I can build one in about 15 minutes.

Nice work Sir.

Very Stout. 

Funny I throw the A-Rig in Musky water all the time and never see one.

They'll lunch a jerkbait but never the rig. 

And the little lead bell sinkers are very interesting.

If I may ask, what makes you chose that deal over a jig head for the swimbaits ?

Is it a better hook deal ?

A-Jay

 

 

50 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Nice work Sir.

Very Stout. 

Funny I throw the A-Rig in Musky water all the time and never see one.

They'll lunch a jerkbait but never the rig. 

And the little lead bell sinkers are very interesting.

If I may ask, what makes you chose that deal over a jig head for the swimbaits ?

Is it a better hook deal ?

A-Jay

 

 

Yeah, 100% the hooks were the reason to try this. I couldn't find any 1/8 oz jigheads with a hook bigger than 3/0, and none of my molds would give me what I wanted either. The sinkers in the pic are 3/16, because they're all I could find local. I just recieved some 1/8 in the mail today. They're gonna get powder coated red. 1/8 is my go to weight in 15' of water or less. Turns out, the keitechs have a lot more roll to go with that wide tail wag when using the sinker/flippin hook combo. Dunno how much difference that makes to the fish, but it's definitely there. The plastic keeper on the flippin hooks holds the swimmers VERY securely too. I'm gonna stick with this setup even on my lighter bass rigs.

@A-Jay if you decide to try this setup, look on the big auction site for your sinkers. These are made with Do-it's mold and are a bit more compact than most I see because of the eye design. Compare this one with the sinker in the post above. These will lay nicely up under the "chin" of the bait.