Well Boys here she is!! This morning my customer Shawn “Tamed the Beast”. I heard a tremendous ruckus take place as this pike hit his line on the opposite side of the boat. The boil she left on top of the water left me questioning if we should drop the rod and all bail out of the Skeeter!! When we got a look at her the guys were lets say….A BIT EXCITED!! I swear the size of this pikes head when she flared her gils looked as though she could have swallowed a bowling ball!! There was honestly only one way that fish was going to come on board, and that was head first in the Frabill conservation series. We had a very close call with what I predicted a nearly 30lb pike a few days ago when she shook……..MY hooks, so that was definitely very fresh in my mind. In the fishing biz it doesn’t count til it hits the net and I certainly understand that!!
Well boys this is Sweet redemption and Shawn Pal……You landed a pike of a lifetime right there. The fish measured 46.5 inches and weighed 25.4lbs!! Her belly was loose and had evidently dropped a massive amount of spawn a short time ago. I felt very close and it was evident her stomach was pretty much empty. Scary to think what this fish would weigh with a belly full of eggs or a few full meals in her.
Shawn insisted on a efficient CPR and I’m proud to say she still calls Rainy Lake……..HOME!! A fiberglass replica of his trophy may be in his near future. This marks #6 over 20lbs since May 1st!!
BTW 30 minutes later Shawn also landed a “Dink” 27 inch walleye!!
Gentleman we’ve did some extra homework this year with Humminbirds Side imaging. The emerging weed lines on the secondary breaks have treated us pretty darn well as of late. IMO these breaks are overlooked by 99% of anglers. In all honesty I’m not sure what these weeds are as they never get to the surface in this particular spot. It could be deep cabbage?? Regardless we’ve worked on top of it and………Well it’s been working pretty good!!
Congratulations Shawn that is a very special fish man!!
Please gentleman should you be fortunate enough as Shawn today to go toe to toe with such a magnificent old fish take very special care of her. If any case screams fiberglass replication I believe in this day and age this fish simply deserves it. Heck for all we know this WILL be the next 35lb Pike or at least now she has the chance!!
Season 5 – Episode 9. Open Water. Walleye. James Holst & Chris Granrud enjoy an early season outing on Rainy River targeting huge post spawn walleyes fishing plastics.
Season 5 – Episode 4. Ice Fishing. Walleyes. James Holst & Chris Granrud, www.rainydazeoutdoors.com, fish Rainy Lake for early ice walleyes.
Rainy Lake in Voyageurs National Park. Season 4 – Episode 10. Open Water. Walleye. In-Depth Outdoors Staff member James Holst and Chris Granrud tour Rainy Lake with family members from the deck of a houseboat. Walleye fishing is excellent and the vacation on a houseboat proves to be relaxing and enjoyable for the whole family.
Season 4 – Episode 5. Ice Fishing. Crappie. In-Depth Outdoors Staff members James Holst & Chris Granrud hit the ice in search of BIG N. Minnesota crappie and run into an incoming cold front and tough weather conditions. The bite goes from “red hot” to “dead slow” over the course of this episode and the IDO Staff sharing valuable information on how to cope with rapidly changing conditions that will help you put more fish on the ice!
Season 4 – Episode 2. Ice Fishing. Crappie. In-Depth Outdoors Staff members James Holst & Chris Granrud hit Rainy Lake following a rare March rain storm. Travel conditions are poor but a GREAT bite on Rainy Lake crappie in the 14″ – 16″ range make this show one all winter crappie anglers will want to see!
Chris Granrud shares some great tips on how to prep bait for fishing tip ups on Rainy Lake for trophy class mid-winter pike and ices a 20# bruiser!
Season 3 – Episode 6. Ice Fishing. Walleye. James Holst & Chris Granrud enjoy the seclusion and solitude of Rainy Lake in the winter while fishing for BIG walleyes through the ice. With temps 26 degrees below zero a good heater and a warm portable is a must!
Season 3 – Episode 7. Open Water. Northern Pike. James Holst & Chris Granrud hit the shallow bays of Rainy Lake immediately following ice out and boat some bruiser pike on light tackle!