04-03-2023, 07:19 PM
Jon had heard that a walleye had been caught at Lincoln point and the weather looked OK, so we went out to find one. I guess the last one had been caught or that was my excuse until I saw Mike’s report.
We arrived at the Lincoln ramp shortly after 7 A.M. to find 1 empty trailer in the lot and one serious looking walleye boat on the ramp. Air temp was slightly below freezing and the water slightly above 40 degrees. I was expecting mid to upper 40’s so 41 didn’t bode well for lots of catching, but the morning looked beautiful. The channel depth varied from 1.7 to 2.5 feet and I kept the big motor trimmed up until we got out of the jaws. I measured when I got home and the bottom of my transducer is 11” below the water line so I estimate about 2 and half feet of water in the shallow spot about halfway down the channel. It will only get better for the next 3 or 4 months
![[Image: Sunrise.jpg]](https://i.postimg.cc/tn7y6xmh/Sunrise.jpg)
![[Image: leaving-the-dock.jpg]](https://i.postimg.cc/kRV3GdBs/leaving-the-dock.jpg)
We headed around the point and were greeted by 10 to 20 half submerged wader worriers and 3 boats between the L and the orchards. We stayed farther north and eased into the shallows. We threw jigs and crankbaits at several spots of the first 2 hours and all we got were cold fingers and a pretty sunrise.
A little before 10 we decided to work our way out of the rocks, put the cat gear in the water, loop around the west side of the group of waders and then work back in and try some more casting. We never made it back in.
In keeping with the cold water, we started slowly strolling small FLIGs, FLAITs and plain hooks baited with smallish chunks of thawed white bass. About 5 minutes later my FLIG rod started to bend slowly. “I think you are snagged” Jon said. I picked up the rod and felt a tug. “No it’s a real fish!” We actually had a bite in 8’ of 40 degree water! It was really good to feel a solid tug after the long winter and when I saw it I thought: “That is a great cat!” Well not only were we rusty at recognizing the hits, but the size calibration had slipped bit too. It turned out to be a fat 28” kitty, a little over 9 pounds. No skunk this time! Thanks Pat for the white FLIG with the red eye. It caught both of my cats.
![[Image: 28.jpg]](https://i.postimg.cc/sG2fJ81G/28.jpg)
While I was getting my cat out of the net Jon hooked up and landed one about 7 pounds. We spent the rest of the trip working that depth and ended up with 4 cats between 6 and 9 pounds. It always surprises me to see them so fat so early. All the cats hit in water 7 to 8’ deep at speeds between 0.4 and 0.5 MPH.
![[Image: Jon-s-first-of-2023.jpg]](https://i.postimg.cc/Yv933cmb/Jon-s-first-of-2023.jpg)
![[Image: Second-with-White-FLIG.jpg]](https://i.postimg.cc/tswMnRmh/Second-with-White-FLIG.jpg)
![[Image: Jon-s-second.jpg]](https://i.postimg.cc/7fcVmsM4/Jon-s-second.jpg)
About noon the wind picked up suddenly from the south, then just as quickly died down. A few minutes later it rose again a little higher and I said: “You OK if we call it a day?” Jon said he was and we headed back. We didn’t catch any walleye and didn’t see anyone catch any, but it was a great morning with each of landing and releasing 2 healthy cats. And so begins another year.
We arrived at the Lincoln ramp shortly after 7 A.M. to find 1 empty trailer in the lot and one serious looking walleye boat on the ramp. Air temp was slightly below freezing and the water slightly above 40 degrees. I was expecting mid to upper 40’s so 41 didn’t bode well for lots of catching, but the morning looked beautiful. The channel depth varied from 1.7 to 2.5 feet and I kept the big motor trimmed up until we got out of the jaws. I measured when I got home and the bottom of my transducer is 11” below the water line so I estimate about 2 and half feet of water in the shallow spot about halfway down the channel. It will only get better for the next 3 or 4 months
We headed around the point and were greeted by 10 to 20 half submerged wader worriers and 3 boats between the L and the orchards. We stayed farther north and eased into the shallows. We threw jigs and crankbaits at several spots of the first 2 hours and all we got were cold fingers and a pretty sunrise.
A little before 10 we decided to work our way out of the rocks, put the cat gear in the water, loop around the west side of the group of waders and then work back in and try some more casting. We never made it back in.
In keeping with the cold water, we started slowly strolling small FLIGs, FLAITs and plain hooks baited with smallish chunks of thawed white bass. About 5 minutes later my FLIG rod started to bend slowly. “I think you are snagged” Jon said. I picked up the rod and felt a tug. “No it’s a real fish!” We actually had a bite in 8’ of 40 degree water! It was really good to feel a solid tug after the long winter and when I saw it I thought: “That is a great cat!” Well not only were we rusty at recognizing the hits, but the size calibration had slipped bit too. It turned out to be a fat 28” kitty, a little over 9 pounds. No skunk this time! Thanks Pat for the white FLIG with the red eye. It caught both of my cats.
While I was getting my cat out of the net Jon hooked up and landed one about 7 pounds. We spent the rest of the trip working that depth and ended up with 4 cats between 6 and 9 pounds. It always surprises me to see them so fat so early. All the cats hit in water 7 to 8’ deep at speeds between 0.4 and 0.5 MPH.
About noon the wind picked up suddenly from the south, then just as quickly died down. A few minutes later it rose again a little higher and I said: “You OK if we call it a day?” Jon said he was and we headed back. We didn’t catch any walleye and didn’t see anyone catch any, but it was a great morning with each of landing and releasing 2 healthy cats. And so begins another year.