Hayward, Wisconsin & Chequamegon Bay Fishing Report 9-1-17
Steve Berg, Dan Martin, Cory McClure
After beating them up on Monday, I told the guys it was time for a change of pace. We set out on Tuesday back in the Hayward area to target walleyes. Nobody argued, and the walleyes were a bit more cooperative than the muskies from the day before. Foggy skies and flat calm conditions in the morning made for a strange feel on the water, but it didn't take us long to locate fish in 30' – 35' on a mud flat. Leeches and crawlers on jigs and slip bobbers produced, and we didn't have to move the boat for a long time as Dan, Cory, and Steve landed good numbers of fish up to 21'. A few fish were stuck on jigging spoons as well. It was a steady and consistent bite, and we didn't have to wait long between fish. Early in the afternoon, the fog burned off and our school of fish scattered. We went on the hunt for more fish and located more scattered schools in the same depth ranges. They weren't as bunched up as in the morning, so you'd get two or three from each stop before having to move. Trusting your electronics and being patient until finding the right school of fish is really important right now. Don't be afraid to use up some time looking around. Once groups of fish are pinpointed they've generally been aggressive, and it doesn't take long to get bit. We even stumbled into a few nice smallies up to 18" mixed in with the walleyes. Water temps hit 70 degrees by the end of the day, and we had a good mess of fish to fillet at quitting time. Two great days with three awesome guys. The stories keep getting better, and the laughs are harder. This trip was definitely "all about Dan"… Maybe you'll get a sandwich next time Cory. Job well done men. Until next time!
Brent Jacobson, Brent Ganger, Larry Parce
Winds turned to the south on Friday, and we spent our day back in Hayward targeting walleyes and smallmouth. It took us awhile, but we were eventually able to locate a good school of fish on a mud flat in 30' – 35' of water. Sometimes it's hard to be patient this time of year, but it certainly pays off. After burning some gas looking at different spots, we anchored up on a large school and didn't have to move the boat the rest of the day. Jake 20, Granger, and Parce hooked up on a bunch of nice walleyes up to 21" and smallies up to 20" using nightcrawlers and minnows on jigs and slip bobbers. The action wasn't fast, but it would come in crazy flurries. The guys would catch three or four fish every time a school came through before things would slow down for a bit. All we had to do was complain a little to get a bite, and they'd cooperate again. Funny how that works! I was tempted to pull the anchor a couple of times, but the "don't leave them to find them" rule served us well. Water temperatures hit 60 degrees by the end of the day. The gang put a very respectable day together considering the slow bite, and it was sure good to have them back in the boat for a couple of days. We may all look a little older, but we sure don't talk like it… Fun stuff fellas. Can't wait until our next trip!!!
Our first Wisconsin Badger football game is here, and our schools have started. Happy Labor Day weekend, and Go Bucky!!!