This is December ?????

[2XL]

I have never fished blade baits before but have always wanted to learn the ropes so I took and made a handful of them the other day. Figured I would give it a go today so off to the river I went. Unfortunately, the fish were having none of anything doing the jigging dance, not even plastic.  Better days ahead for that stuff for sure. Fortunately, I brought a couple trolling rods along so put a couple cranks out for a swim. I managed to gt a few fish to slip up including this FAT 26"er.
Catch Photo Release

[Bucko]

Nice fish!  I'd sure like to trade that planer board for a tip up....  I'm getting antsy here.

[Do-It Corp.]

Great looking eye.  Almost 50 degrees today here in Iowa and looks to continue through next week.  I will take the open water as long as we can get it.  Great time to be on the water.

[WALLEYE WACKER]

Great eye going to the river tomorrow. 

[Denny Welch]

Mid-30's this morning...bbbrrrrr
Rain tomorrow...yeah

[Lamar]

  You guys are killing me

[2XL]

Another beauty day on the river. No eyes or saugers worth mentioning but I did get a 36" Snot Rocket. The pic doesn't do the fish any justice at all as my buddy couldn't take a good pic of anything if his life depended on it. LOL I was actually in the process of dropping the fish as it zigged when I zagged = my finger and thumb rediscovered just  how sharp Northern teeth are. LOL  Bled like a stuck pig I did and the front of my buddies boat looked like a murder scene once the unhooking festivities had ended. LMAO No dirt around to rub my wounds with so had to make do with river water instead. What could go wrong ? Hahaha

Also saw a Bald Eagle chasing an Osprey yesterday. It's usually the other way around here. Wish I would have a had a good camera to get some good pics of that.

No offense to the icefishermen but I am totally digging this weather. Good luck and enjoy the day to those who can make it out. 

[Lamar]

  Your the first guy I've ever seen to hold a pike like that. Those teeth can be nasty

[2XL]

I don't normally hold them like that. I usually do the under the jaw hold which I had done just before that pic. That's when the fish got me.  It shook and my finger and thumb went behind the gills/gill plate and right into it's mouth from behind. Stuff happens.

[Denny Welch]

Football's for sissies.  Now golf...that's where the action is.

[ctom]

I was wondering about that gutsy hold myself....thought, "man that guy has balls of iron holding a pike like that". But if the fish was in mid-flop I can see it. Your murder scene look-a-like in the boat has been a part of every angler I know who's dealt with large pike. Those teeth are not very friendly.

Nice fish bud! And forget mud. Use slime from the fish...its a natural coagulant.

[pjmcla]

60 degrees and little wind in North Alabama today; but the recent rains have the TVA lakes water flow at rafting levels.  Wheeler dam is releasing 170,000 cubic feet per second with all spillways open.  Thats a lot of water.  All other lakes are similar.  Water is dirty as well.

[eyedo]

I held a northern like that once.  Cant complain about this weather. Not many on the river  boat running good and the eyes are biting.

[ctom]

Going to warm again tomorrow so I'm heading back to the river for another meal.

[andrewlamberson]

I've had more of my fair share of Northern Pike incidents! And your right....right out of a mass murder scene if they get a chance to cut you up!
Out in the boat in 42 degree weather (Balmy!) for 4 hours today with only a walleye and a couple of bluegills on a drop shot nano.

But I'm not complaining! I've never been able to take the boat out in December before! 40's all week next week and maybe even 50.... and I'm going to take advantage of it.

Nice Pike no matter how much pain!

Andy