A Shore Bet...
7-11-2013
Price County Super Guide John Carlson says don't miss the boat...shore fishing is one great option for the Wisconsin fisherman. I think he means it really doesn’t matter if you miss the boat…or don’t have one. It doesn’t mean you have to miss the fishing.
“Not every quality fishing opportunity needs to be from a boat,” Super John says. “Factors like weather and amount of time can make all the trouble of loading and unloading a boat just not worth it. At these times I take my kids and friends shore fishing.”
“There are many small pot hole lakes that dot Wisconsin, add in the rivers and areas to fish below dams and there are almost endless easy to get to areas to fish that have trophy potential. Many of these lakes are full of easy to catch Panfish and Bass that give a thrill to any age fishermen.”
According to Carlson, a small box with floats, small hooks, gulp spikes, sinkers, 3/0 EWG worm hooks, a couple colors of senkos, pliers and some other odds and ends is more than enough to have great success.
3 1/2 year old son Conner Carlson with one of the Largemouth Bass caught July 10 fishing with his dad from a favorite Price County shoreline. He was using a Senko worm that Daddy John was cast to a weed edge.
“I usually bring one light action rod to rig for panfish and one medium action spooled with 14 pound fireline for bigger fish,” he said. “That's it, 2 rods in my hand and a small box and a zip lock bag of plastics in my pocket and we're fishing.”
Call John Carlson at 715-820-0958. For lodging, guide, dining, and entertainment information and much more connect with Price County Tourism and Executive Director Kathy Reinhard at www.pricecountywi.net, 800-269-4505 or tourism@c0.price.wi.us.
I’ve been shore fishing many, many times. Sometimes out of necessity, like last weekend in Boulder Junction when I spent half the weekend in the water up to my waist with my old 75 outboard that wasn’t cooperating. More often though, I choose to shore fish because it’s fun, you’re not restricted to a cramped boat, and it is productive. When John’s story came in the morning via e-mail it reminded me of an opening day I spent with OWO writer Dave Sura on the shores of Delavan Lake fishing with a few other friends. We’ll post that story and photos here under “Dick’s Trips”. We caught and photographed some beautiful fish, despite me being there.
The usual experts have sent us stories, photos and fishing reports this week from around Wisconsin that are posted under “Inland Fishing” and “Fishing Reports”. Also make sure to take in all the information mainly under “Firearms” and “Outdoor News”. We will be transitioning to hunting too in the very near future. Isn’t that a nice thought, although we don’t want to chase the nice weather or wish our lives away with thoughts of mourning doves and velvet bucks too soon.
I’m heading for Boulder Junction today to chase a variety of fish for the weekend, and then it’s off next Tuesday with buddy Jim Olsson to chase Winnebago walleyes. I’ll let you know how those trips go.
You probably know that our July-August issue is on the streets. If you don’t know where to pick a copy up at no cost, the 550 locations are listed on this homepage. The current and archived issues are also posted on the homepage if you prefer online reading.
Thanks for connecting with On Wisconsin Outdoors. Shoot Straight.
Dick Ellis