Big Boys

[Marco]

Finally into the 50 days barrier for our trip North!  Our group has had decent success through the years in getting numbers, but we have topped out at 4 - 5 lbs for largest walleye.  I'd like to know your personal best for walleye and the technique used to see if there is a pattern I should try this year to try and get the bulk up.  Jigging with chartreuse, trolling with crawlers and silver-red spinners, cast with husky jerks, share if you don't mind and it might help all our causes!

[Jay Thomas]

I was in camp at 3 Seasons Camp when RHYBAK brought in his 10.2 pound walleye as well as when John (member of Shrinks group) brought in his 10 pound walleye. At least I got to see a couple of 10 pounders. As for the largest walleye for myself, in 17 trips to Lake Kipawa, I've managed to be lucky enough to land four walleye in the 7 1/2 pound range. Two were caught slip bobbering in 12 FOW with a light wire hook and a leech while the other two were caught bottom bouncing in 18 FOW with a Northland Baitfish Spinner Harness (Silver Shiner) and a crawler.

Jay   

[RHYBAK]

Marco
Your a fisherman.
You have to know it's just luck of the draw.
That fish that Jay mentioned was caught trolling a worm harness , mid day on a very windy day.
My nephew Peter landed a 9+ pound fish in my boat ripping a jighead on bottom.
My friend Steve has caught 9 pound+ fish slip floating mid day.

You just never know.
You get a hit, fight it, bring it to net, then crap your pants when you realize how big it is. And now , you will take a picture and kiss it goodbye.

Just the luck of the draw my friend.
No brain science involve, just horseshoes.

[Marco]

Rhybak, deep down I know you are right.  An old fishing legend in our group, Joe Van the Bad Man used to say "If a fish is hungry, (then he'd take his hand and pound it into his fist), it'll stop and eat!".  I guess that pretty much sums it up....

[NortonJoe]

It's getting the bait in front of their face...having said that, most of my bigger fish have been caught jigging while drifting.

[RHYBAK]

Marco

Maybe your just fishing the wrong end of the lake?
Your Guide , T-Bone, should consider moving the trip north 20 mile.

To be honest with you, and I'm sure Jay can concur , we do have a few spots in our vicinity that we do consider big fish locations.
Sitting here, I can think of three for sure that produce big Walleye consistently.

[puckster_guy]

Marco

Maybe your just fishing the wrong end of the lake?
Your Guide , T-Bone, should consider moving the trip north 20 mile.

To be honest with you, and I'm sure Jay can concur , we do have a few spots in our vicinity that we do consider big fish locations.
Sitting here, I can think of three for sure that produce big Walleye consistently.

I gotta try your end of the lake Rhybak. Never been up that way. Would you know if the outfitters would rent a room for an overnighter? It should take a good hour and a half to get there from my place. I'm not sure I wanna navigate even the last half back as it's getting dark.

[RHYBAK]

I'm sure Reggie does not do overnighters because of the cleaning involved afterwards.

Never hurts to ask, especially in the slow season.

[T-Bone]

Don't worry Marco....I know where Brian caught his 13.3 pound monster...and it's a lot closer to Alwaki than 3 Seasons.... 

[RHYBAK]

it has a sore mouth.
It hightailed it north.

[SgtCrabby]

Marco, I love to catch 4 - 5 pounders.
Using a light action rod, they will give you all the fighting excitement you'll want.

Not to say I'd turn down fighting one of those huge gals once in a while. 

[Riverrat]

My personal best tops the scales at 17lbs and as far as I know it tops anything else I have heard of.  It was caught in the Laniel end of the lake.  The picture is on Chalet Diane's website.  I normally would let a fish of this size go but it was badly hooked.  I generally focus on the larger fish and have caught several in the 10lb plus range.

[tbayboy]

First trip to Kipawa got my biggest, still trying to beat it .  30" didnt get a weight but everyone figures about 10lb.

Here she is with the 1 1/16" jig and leach still in her mouth (under a float as well - luck luck and more luck). As well a full length shot before she went back in the drink (sorry can't get them to embed)


https://goo.gl/photos/FtBxGTvmjpqf8Egg9


24 more days til I try again.

[Greg]

My largest was 7lbs - just trolling along a shore line close to Alwaki in about 20 feet of water with a crank bait (live target bait ball).

Pictures on my trip report from last year.... http://gregkipawa2015.weebly.com/

[Smitty]

My personal best tops the scales at 17lbs and as far as I know it tops anything else I have heard of.  It was caught in the Laniel end of the lake.  The picture is on Chalet Diane's website.  I normally would let a fish of this size go but it was badly hooked.  I generally focus on the larger fish and have caught several in the 10lb plus range.

Which pic on the Chalet Diane's website is 17lbs?