Author Topic: FIRST TRIP TO LAKE OF THE WOODS! (Read 6773 times)

MILLERICE · « **on:** Dec 08, 2009, 03:46 PM »

HELLO TO EVERYONE... WERE PLANNING OUR FIRST TRIP TO MINNESOTA'S FAMOUS LAKE OF THE WOODS ... WERE FROM PA !! YOU WOULD PROB. SAY THE FISH WE CATCH HERE IN PA WOULD BE BAIT IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS BUT WE HAVE TO USE WHAT GOD GAVE US....

WERE HEADING OUT 2 WEEK OF FEB. AND WAS WONDERING WHAT POUND TEST LINE FOR JIG RODS... ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPERICATED!! THANKS SO MUCH

Desperado · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 04:59 PM »

I like 6 lb; but the water on Lake of The Woods is really stained, so you can get away with using 8 or 10.
If you hook into a trophy-of-a-lifetime walley, you might be happy to have 8lb.

MILLERICE · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 06:13 PM »

THANKS SO MUCH Desperado... WE HAVE BEEN WANTING TO HEAD OUT THERE FOR 5 YEARS NOW.. AND DESIDED THIS IS THE YEAR... WE WANT TO HAVE A SLEEPER HOUSE.... HOWS THE TIP UP ACTION.. ?

holehopper · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 06:24 PM »

Have a great trip to LOTW! A couple things you might want to consider. First; I would agree on the 6 lbs test. Even if you do get a bigger fish, you just set your drag a little lighter. Go 8 if you have some guys that are less experienced. You'll catch a lot of cigars and then every once in a while someone will set into a much nicer fish. As far as lure color, definitely go red and/or gold. 2 best colors to use on LOTW.

Regarding a sleeper house, just be aware that because the water is stained (very stained) there is virtually no night bite. So, you may want to consider a cabin on shore. A lot of the resorts have a plan where you stay at a cabin on shore and then fish in a permanent all day. Most of them will even haul you to and from the fish house and provide you with all your meals. Something to consider. As far as tip ups, your biggest challenge will be freeze ups; especially in Feb. Great pike fishing, but you will have some trouble keeping outside holes open. You may also want to think about an auger extension. That time of the year, depending on the weather, you may end up with too much ice for your auger without an extension.

Desperado · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 08, 2009, 10:51 PM »

Holehopper has good advice for color gold is usually the best color for Walleye/Sauger/Perch. Red may be a close second. Don't be afraid to try a firetiger color combination too. But if you have four guys I would have at least two of them starting with gold until one of the others proves that something else is working better; which will happen once in awhile. But most of the time, the guys with gold will be convincing everyone else.

BY THE WAY; when we say gold, we mean METALLIC GOLD (not that harvest yellow color). And yes, it makes a big difference.

As far as the night bite goes; it's true the walleyes don't feed at night on LOTW like they do on clearer lakes.
However, NIGHT TIME is BURBOT TIME on LOTW.

They are a great fight under the ice and may quite likely be the biggest fish you catch,
The secret for them is lots of glow and a little smelly-oily kind of bait (like smelt).

rumbees · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 09, 2009, 07:37 PM »

when you say burbot would you catch them is the same place as walleyes or what

holehopper · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 10, 2009, 11:51 AM »

Yep.....same spots you get walleye's on, you'll find grinners. Mostly a night bite for them. They'll hit like a freight train most times. Your rattle wheels will lite up. They aren't typically what you would call "subtle" biters.

MILLERICE · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 10, 2009, 04:42 PM »

HEY HOLE HOPPER AND DESPERADO.. THANKS SOO MUCH... AS FOR 6LB U USING MONO OR FLOURO.. AND NOT TO SOUND LIKE A DUMB A$$ WHAT IS A BURBOT.

ARE THEY GOOD EATING... ANY RECOMENDATION FOR BAIT SHOPS IN BAUDETTE? AGAIN THANKS SOO MUCH...

Desperado · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 10, 2009, 07:50 PM »

I use mono.
Burbot is name that fisheries biologists use for the fish whose scientific name is Lota Lota.
It's a freshwater cod.
I beleive in PA and NY they are referred to as Cusk.
In Minnesota they're commonly called Eelpout.
In Montana/Wyoming they say Ling.
I've heard LingCod from guys on the Atlantic coast.

Anyhow; if you clean it correctly and cook it correctly, it's one of the best tasting freshwater fish there is in my opinion.
The only thing is it's not very good if you fillet and put it in the freezer. When you thaw it and cook it, it's too rubbery.
Cooked fresh though, it's better than Cod in a restaurant.

rumbees · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 10, 2009, 07:54 PM »

how do you fish for them

Desperado · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 10, 2009, 08:02 PM »

Miller, my favorite place for bait in Baudette is Lucky's.
He's right at the intersection of Hwy 72 and Hwy 11

Desperado · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 10, 2009, 08:10 PM »

Rumb

At night
on the bottom
big glow jig (white or green)
some bait that they can smell (like a smelt or a chunk of whitefish meat)

I like a round jig with meat on a dead stick and work an airplane jig with big glow plastics on my jig stick.
I'll get some pics and post them for you.

Desperado · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 10, 2009, 09:04 PM »

Okay, here's what I use to get their attention

glow airplane jig (from Lucky's bait shop in Baudette)
D-cell size battery for size comparison

Kalins scampi (glow)

Kalins mogambo (glow)

holehopper · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 11, 2009, 12:57 PM »

Burbot, Grinners, Lawyers, Lota Lota, Ling-Cod, eelpout. Lots of different names. I think they are typically more active under the ice than they are in open water. Sorta weird that way. Tend to be pretty ugly, slimey and twisty fish. Virtually impossible to kill. Never eaten them, but will take your word for it that they are good. Most of the ones I've seen are laying frozen on the ice outside of fish houses all across MN. Fun to catch. You'll think you have the walleye of a lifetime on your line. Then you come face to face with the "missing-link" of the fish world....

rumbees · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 11, 2009, 02:02 PM »

thanks for all the help hopefully it will all work great

rum

rumbees · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 11, 2009, 03:27 PM »

Desperado

does that bait shop luckys do they have smelt or do you know where i can get some

Desperado · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 11, 2009, 05:54 PM »

You should probably call and ask them before you leave (218) 634-2869‎

If they don't, Fred's Bait in Deer River usually has some in the freezer. Again, I'd call and make sure. (218) 246-8710

rumbees · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 11, 2009, 07:52 PM »

thanks for all the help

rumbees · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 12, 2009, 04:03 PM »

hey i looked all over the internet for those jigs that you show in your pics and i can't find them any where do you know what company makes them? I just don't want to wait until i get up there and find out that he is out of them.

rum

Hard Ice · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 12, 2009, 06:51 PM »

Rum, you should`t have a problem finding what you need theres 2 bait shops and a hardwere store in buddett also the resorts keep a number of gold,red and green rock`n` rolls on hand plus the air plaine jigs.. Oi i almost forgot theres also a bait/gas shop out of town on cr 172 good luck to you !

rumbees · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 12, 2009, 08:50 PM »

what are those rock an roll i have never heard of them

Hard Ice · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 12, 2009, 09:09 PM »

Rock n roll simply put is a 1/2 oz jig that comes in many colors you wont find them any wheres then lotw .. Also pick up a few selmo`s thex were hot last year !

MILLERICE · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 15, 2009, 01:34 PM »

HEY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REPLIED !!.. SO MUCH GREAT INFORMATION!!.. SHOULD WE GET OUR LISCENSE BEFORE WE GET OUT THERE (IF WE CAN EVEN DO THAT ) AGAIN THANKS ..TIM

MILLERICE · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 15, 2009, 04:29 PM »

ALMOST FORGOT ... WE WENT UP TO THE SYRACUSE,NY ICE SHOW AND THE GUY FROM THORNE BROS. TOLD ME TO USE TRILENE XL GREEN .. HE SAID THEIR WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT LINE THAT WILL CATCH MORE FISH... ANY TRUTH TO THAT... THANKS.. TIM

Hard Ice · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 16, 2009, 04:24 AM »

Tim, you should beable to buy your lic. online from the mndnr but you may also pay more for there sir charge. As far as line goes i like to use 6-10 pound trilene clear. I fish lotw about 20 times a winter and do very well up there. Want any more info you can email me at [email protected] jon

MILLERICE · « **Reply #25 on:** Dec 16, 2009, 02:18 PM »

THANKS JON .. I WILL EMAIL YA! TIM

Hard Ice · « **Reply #26 on:** Dec 17, 2009, 12:16 PM »

No problem tim glad to help.

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Author Topic: FIRST TRIP TO LAKE OF THE WOODS! (Read 6773 times)