Gull Lake report

[wbaj]

Decided to try Gull today, first trip of the season out there. Fished Wilsons side in about 6 - 10 fow. The cold kept me less mobile then I usually am, but managed to pull a few through the ice. Caught 2 whites, one released (1.5 lbs) and the other one ended up on the stove. Also caught a smallish bubot and released it to grow up a bit. Did finally move deeper but only managed several 4-6 inch perch. I noticed that the water clarity seems quit poor compared to other years around this time?..
Called it a day.......all in all a bit slow but better than sitting at home.

[SNAPFisher]

Nice! Sounds good to me...especially from an office chair today. Congrats on the day out!

[Macdrizzle]

Were you able to drive on at Wilson's? I was supposed to go last week but ended up at Brownlows with no luck on whites. Saw 3 but none of them bit.

[PlayDoh]

3 species, and a snack. Sounds like a great day to me.

[SNAPFisher]

Originally Posted by Macdrizzle

Were you able to drive on at Wilson's? I was supposed to go last week but ended up at Brownlows with no luck on whites. Saw 3 but none of them bit.

You can. It is all open now and for the first time in several years, no huge ice heave in front. I would advise still sticking to shore and then checking ice before heading out. Fished the point North of Wilsons, stuck to shore. After walking out I found 14 inches down to around 10 inches. And the ice was in pretty crappy condition. The auger went through pretty easily and jumped a few times through some air pockets. Lots of others out but none had a large vehicle out...mostly quads or parked at shore. Towards the South of Wilsons, I haven't bee yet but I hear it is better there. good luck!

[yoteblaster]

Anyone else on Gull at the moment?

[Burbotism]

Originally Posted by yoteblaster

Anyone else on Gull at the moment?

Nada, zero! Here in Wilson right now. Drilled too many holes already

[yoteblaster]

3 perch here, one 11 inch. gonna move pretty quick

[wbaj]

Originally Posted by SNAPFisher

You can. It is all open now and for the first time in several years, no huge ice heave in front. I would advise still sticking to shore and then checking ice before heading out. Fished the point North of Wilsons, stuck to shore. After walking out I found 14 inches down to around 10 inches. And the ice was in pretty crappy condition. The auger went through pretty easily and jumped a few times through some air pockets. Lots of others out but none had a large vehicle out...mostly quads or parked at shore. Towards the South of Wilsons, I haven't bee yet but I hear it is better there. good luck!

I drove on to the south end of Wilsons but stayed strictly to the main trail. Ice was around 16 inches but is good clear ice. I walked from there probably 1000 to 1500 yards from the truck to fish. It was - 22 Celsius yesterday so ice should thicken quickly. There are several shacks on the south end but I never went anywhere near them with the truck. Preferred to walk instead. There's also a pressure ridge around maybe 1/2 kilometer from shore so I would stay away from that for a while also.
I fished a yellow wireworm very slowly, gentle action I find works better when the fish are hesitant to take. The third (that was the extent of the day) one I saw did the 90 degree rejection at the last mili-second. I'm sure it was because I moved it too aggressively when it came in.
My observations anyway.

[Talking moose]

Brownlowes a week ago..
Bunch of 6 inch perch.

[bigcz]

dose any one know how thick the ice is in and around sandy beach area

[Macdrizzle]

Originally Posted by wbaj

I drove on to the south end of Wilsons but stayed strictly to the main trail. Ice was around 16 inches but is good clear ice. I walked from there probably 1000 to 1500 yards from the truck to fish. It was - 22 Celsius yesterday so ice should thicken quickly. There are several shacks on the south end but I never went anywhere near them with the truck. Preferred to walk instead. There's also a pressure ridge around maybe 1/2 kilometer from shore so I would stay away from that for a while also.
I fished a yellow wireworm very slowly, gentle action I find works better when the fish are hesitant to take. The third (that was the extent of the day) one I saw did the 90 degree rejection at the last mili-second. I'm sure it was because I moved it too aggressively when it came in.
My observations anyway.

the 90 degree rejection is something I have experience quite a lot of. From my exp, this has little to do with moving too aggressively and has everything to do with weather (pressure). On days when they do that, very few whites are biting and you'll be lucky to catch 1 or 2 for the day. On good days, I would be jigging very aggressively and they will come bite no matter what. I've had times when I jigged so hard that they would miss, turn around, try again, miss again and so on and so forth for 4-5 times before finally getting it in their mouths. The trend is if one does that, they all do that (within reason).

[wbaj]

Originally Posted by Macdrizzle

the 90 degree rejection is something I have experience quite a lot of. From my exp, this has little to do with moving too aggressively and has everything to do with weather (pressure). On days when they do that, very few whites are biting and you'll be lucky to catch 1 or 2 for the day. On good days, I would be jigging very aggressively and they will come bite no matter what. I've had times when I jigged so hard that they would miss, turn around, try again, miss again and so on and so forth for 4-5 times before finally getting it in their mouths. The trend is if one does that, they all do that (within reason).

I've never really correlated rejection rates or types with atmospheric pressure although I know it affects the bite.. I've experienced the same fantastic days as you where they just slam it or return again and again before finally getting it. When their not taking the hook would you say for the most part the atmospheric pressure is too high, too low, or changing from one to the other? If the later which is it high to low or low to high?

[bigcz]

do you think it is safe to take a 1 tone on the ice yet

[Sloughsharkjigger]

Hit Gull on Friday & compared to other days the Perch were definitely frisky! Nice day weather wise, pressure was up and absolutely no wind. Fished in 13fow. Small jigs and Panther Martens tipped with small minnows and maggots seemed to work. Iced a Burb as well but did not get a picture. All went back for another day.

[SNAPFisher]

Nice catch and great pics! Thanks for sharing.

P.S. Nice setup too. Looks like you fish in style and high tech

[Sloughsharkjigger]

Originally Posted by SNAPFisher

Nice catch and great pics! Thanks for sharing.

P.S. Nice setup too. Looks like you fish in style and high tech

Thanks... Toys for boys Snap (no offence to the fisher lady folk) Want to "hook up" with you one day Snap! Last pic says it all though... sometimes a person just needs to be away from the CROWD!

[SNAPFisher]

Originally Posted by Sloughsharkjigger

Thanks... Toys for boys Snap (no offence to the fisher lady folk) Want to "hook up" with you one day Snap! Last pic says it all though... sometimes a person just needs to be away from the CROWD!

Sounds good
I'm off to NB1 this coming weekend. After that, a trip to Gull could be just what the doctor ordered. Talk to you soon.

[eyewhomper]

How did everyone else do today gonna sound unbelievable but me and a buddy caught 83 perch and 12 over 10 inches mostly 7-9 inches 2 pike 3 walleye nobody around but the odd sled cruising by its such a big lake I sometimes wonder why 90% of people fish the same 5% of the lake all the time