Thursday, January 16, 2014

Lake of the Woods Ice Team Trip

I just returned home from an Ice Team give-a-way fishing trip that was given away at the St. Paul Ice Show.  Fellow Ice Team member Jason Hamilton, Steve Geertsen, his son Owen, and myself got to share the ice with the winners, Dustin and Bryce, a father son duo.

Our destination was the Morson Area of Lake of the Woods which is located in Ontario approx. 45 minutes from Baudette.  Our home base was Tolen's Pelican Landing (Click Here).  This is an area I have spent many years fishing but only during the soft water period.

Bryce and Dustin with a LOTW Monster Crappie
Tolen's lodge owner Robert said the fishing had been good when we arrived.  With sharp hooks, fresh drilling arms, full gas tanks, and eager spirits we headed out into the reef filled Lake of the Woods.  Our game plan was to go out and have a great time setting the hook.  Not necessarily to catch the largest fish to start things off.

Prior to Dustin and Bryce arriving we had the chance to do a little pre fishing.  Robert had an area that had been holding some fish and we ended up fishing there for a few hours the evening before the guys arrived.  It was good as we caught several walleyes and crappies.  So that's were we started.

We drilled out the main lake point location and it wasn't happening.  I mean the fish weren't there at that moment.  Game On I thought to myself!  The night prior I had studied some locations that I wanted to fish and told the guys, "I'm going to head to a new spot to search out some fish!"  Dustin, winner of the give-a-way, said, "You're not leaving me behind.  I'm coming with."  Sweet a guy that likes to move and groove.  Off we went.  Jason Hamilton and I drilled a 20 hole set in a feeding area or what appeared to be a feeding area of a main lake rock reef.  We started to fish and the screen lit up!  After setting the hook on a 13, 13.5 and 14 inch crappie I told Dustin I better go get the other guys!  I mean these were monster crappies.  We gathered up the boys and the hooks sets didn't slow down.  Walleye, crappie, perch, pike, small mouth bass, and on and on.  We fished this area for several hours and the urge to set the hook was over satisfied if that is possible?


The guys, Dustin and Bryce, wanted to explore and chase down a larger walleye.  We ended up fishing several reefs.  Most had fish and some more then the other, but no giant walleyes.  We ended the day with buckets full of fish.

We arrived back at camp and Robert and crew put together an awesome meal.  You could see the smiles for all the anglers as this is what fishing is all about.  A successful day catching fish, great memories and new friends.

The next day started on a reef, called Suzette Reef, were I had fished with my dad many years ago when he told us, our Mother Suzette had cancer.  It was an emotional day filled full of big walleyes and we have now named that reef "Suzette Reef".  (Click Here for that Story)  We caught a few fish but nothing crazy so on we went.  Searching as a group.  We had a great day moving, catching lots of fish, but still no giant walleyes.


We ended in Robert's spot and just as the sun hit the trees Bryce hooked up.  He landed a giant walleye and shortly after Dustin landing a dandy!

Bryce with a Monster Walleye to end the Trip!
Couldn't have ended a better way!

Clam Pro Tackle Blade Spoon!

As many of you know I'm not a hype guy when it comes to presentation.  I want a lure that simply works.  Part of that is understanding that lures triggering qualities.  I have been fishing with the Clam Blade Spoon this entire winter and it has been on fire.  The really cool thing is this lure caught every fish for the two days on Lake of the Woods.  It was simply the hot lure!




Book a Guided Fishing Trip with Leisure Outdoor Adventures Fishing Team at www.LeisureOutdoorAdventures.com  We are providing guided fishing trips on many lakes including the Brainerd Lakes Area, Gull Lake, Whitefish Chain, North Long, Pelican along with the Leech Lake Area.

Good Luck Fishing!

Jiggy Andersen

Here are a few other shots from the trip.


Jason Hamilton with a big LOTW Crappie

Tolen's Pelican Landing 












Book a Guided Fishing Trip with Leisure Outdoor Adventures Fishing Team at www.LeisureOutdoorAdventures.com  We are providing guided fishing trips on many lakes including the Brainerd Lakes Area, Gull Lake, Whitefish Chain, North Long, Pelican along with the Leech Lake Area.

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