Punxsutawney Phil

Dammit Phil (Punxsutawney)…  You are AWESOME!!

When you crawled out of that hole last Thursday, I have to admit, you appeared a bit suspect.

That white foamy drool seeping down the left side of your jowel.  The hazed over look with the eye crud on your lashes.  Those are signs of a man not well kept…  Or one that has been on a heater and continues to send it.

Either way…  They said “let there be light” (sunshine) and there it was…  Your shadow!

Six more weeks of winter.  YEAH.  Thank you sir. Thank you from the masses who enjoy the Ballard’s and ice fishing on L-O-Dub.

– Latest and greatest?  BANG!  Mr. Pat was here midweek.  Told me “this is some of the best sauger action my son and I have had in years”.  aka Lots of little guys, our bobbers are swirling around the holes, and we are going to have a nice little meal of FRESH fish.

– The recent mega cold blast, tight-lipped the sow (trophy walleye) bite.  Word on the ice is things have cooled since the mega-chunk-marble-eye-fest that was happening last week.  We grew weary of seeing all those BIG TROPHY FISH PICS (said no one ever).

– Ice Festivous!  It’s a thing.  Kick off is Sunday FEB 12.  Kind of a big deal.

– Spring break in March…  In the past 7 years, we have ice fished through the middle-of-March, 50% of the time.  If you want a legit shot at late season action for 2023 we are advising you to get reservations in soon, and plan for something prior to the 15th of MARCH.

Until next time…  #SetTheHook

Runnin’ with the devil…

Thanks Van Halen.  Been a banger week on L-O-Dub!

This whole runnin’ and gunnin’ thing paid off big time for team Ballard’s.  Mostly in the BIG FISH (trophy walleye) category.
One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish…  We had FIVE walleyes stretch the tape at 30-INCHES over the course of a couple days.  #CrushCity  Some super cool photos and releases.  NICE.
For sure, to date, this was our best TROPHY WALLEYE RUN of the winter.  #FishinTheMud
What’s next?  HA…  Keep fishing!  We’ve got February knocking on the door.  ICE FESTIVOUS is a thing and it’s happening soon!
Set the hook…

                       

This week in the rear-view Bombar window…

Our walleye / sauger bite is bouncing around like a Jokari ball on its elastic string.  Remember that game?  If you’re under 50-years of age you might have to ask the Google.

Your parents told you to “go play out in the street” and that’s literally what you did.  One of my older cousins would purposely swack the ball directly at myself or his younger brother.  Result, a matching red welt the same color as the ball.

If all went well…  Win or lose…  You consider yourself lucky if you didn’t get chased down during the contest with the lethal wooden paddle (good times).  This older cousin of mine was like a toothy northern pike chasing a defenseless yellow perch.

Back to the fishing news…  This morning “new Zach” told us the afternoon bite has been outproducing the morning coffee hour.  Bottom line, do not give up the veritable ship early in the day.  Your best chances might be from Noon until pick-up-time.

There were bags of fresh fillets also heading for the fryers this past week.  Cajun or Original?  I can never decide!  Either way…  Noted improvement in the overall action compared to a week ago.

This morning the marine band radio is buzzing with activity.  Sounds like a swarm of bees chasing a bicycler down the street.  Or it is the Ballard Guides busting hump and moving shacks.  Same.  (Busy little bees.  Or is it beavers.)

 

NOTES FROM THE BACK BURNER THAT YOU SHOULD MOVE TO THE FRONT BURNER:

– Ice Festivous is happening soon FEB 12 to 17.

– March jig a thon for repeats “Return Trip Specials”.

 

Set the hook!

 

               

One Way or Another

One way, or another, I’m gonna find ya
I’m gonna get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya…

Thanks BLONDIE.  This might be our theme song for the month of January.

Last week we couldn’t do anything wrong per the way of the walleyes.  And this week it’s back to a struggle bus.  Keep moving forward (north).  Our Ballard guides are once again trying to FIND YA!

Rumor mill has us “nearing” the Nine-Footer.  Still in the mud.  30+ feet of water.  It’s definitely a finesse bite.  Catching enough for a fresh shore lunch style dinner and getting a few to take home.  That’s been the line.

Until next time…  Set the hook!