Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Ernie · Jan-14-26 11:05PM

Who in their right mind do a river float in the middle of January with the rwater temps at 38.3dF at the start? It did get to 39dF.

Well, Chris and I chatted last week that we might have a window this week. So we took it and were were able to capitalize on it today. George joined us.

Air temps were in the mid to high 40's all day but felt colder because of the lack of sun. The wind was light and only bothered us a few times. We were all dressed properly so we were comfortable while out on the water (5 hours).

It was great to get back out on the water and the 1st thing I did was light up a stogie and enjoy the scenery.

We had several deep holes in mind as we floated but we fished everywhere we could. When you are on a float, you have to look ahead to targets. It's not a run and gun type deal.

Just after 10a, I got a bite (or maybe not) but nothing to show for it. It did get us exited. But...a few minutes later, George hooks up (in fairly shallow water)!

No skunk today!!

Shortly thereafter, again in fairly shallow water, I get bit and I surfed this guy over a rock to get it to the net!

We heard the thumping of a helo rotor and we had one coming up the river at fairly low altitude!

Video- https://imgur.com/PXUxoZy

That was cool as he tilted the bird as he came by.

We floated some more and George hooks up again, in shallow water!

Then we got to some deeper holes and never got bit again.

It was maddening because we thought we would find fish in deeper water.

Oh wait, we did! We went over several schools of hundreds of catfish!

Video- https://imgur.com/JinssAz

It was so cool and then George decided to throw a bait at them and got rewarded.

That was it but man, did we have a great time out there!

We fought hard and got some rewards...the 1st smallies of the year!!

And I never complained about being cold! That's a victory!

drxfish · Jan-15-26 12:30AM

What a great report! I was hoping for enough of a bump to get out today, but it was not enough for my vessel, so I settled on chasing Crappies. Congrats!

hookup · Jan-15-26 12:32AM

Beautiful day on the water. Bit chilly but still, a nice day. Eagles flying overhead, heron hunting - even saw one fly off with a catch. No skunk on the boat.

Excellent company. May have even saved the world a little with our fellowship and conversation?

Even got a good belly laugh at the end of the trip ;-)

Ernie · Jan-15-26 12:54AM

hookup wrote:
Even got a good belly laugh at the end of the trip ;-)

Har har har!

BTW, the video links are up on my original post.

hookup · Jan-15-26 1:35AM

Ernie wrote:
BTW, the video links are up on my original post.

Schweeeeeeet!

backtofuturetoyota · Jan-15-26 12:54PM

Great report guys! You guys are the most dedicated for sure as I wouldn't have thought anyone would be out this time of year. Great pics and vids. The smallies are beautiful, stogi in winter is the best, the helo tilt, and the crazy amount of catfish in the shallows is nuts!

So....go on and tell us about this belly laugh. lol

Ernie · Jan-15-26 1:18PM

I must admit, the helo tilt was cool!

OK, here's the story. It starts with my dislike of winter fishing because of all the layers of clothes you have to wear, like waders and/or bibs. We were done fishing, back at the ramp and I had to pee.

George can finish it.

hookup · Jan-15-26 6:23PM

Ernie wrote:
George can finish it.

Ernie tried to take off his waders and had to pee so bad he was holding his waders up and out while waddling across the parking lot to the closets trees while shouting allegations to someone's mother

I was hauling gear up to my Jeep, looked up, saw him and just lost it

Ernie · Jan-15-26 8:30PM

Another thought: while floating, we talked about fishing in a jet vs a raft. Pros and cons for both. But, had if I fished my jet on this day, it would have meant running a bit and it was a too raw for that. Without question, I would have been cold. That's a game changer for me.

Bruce · Jan-16-26 11:46AM

Ernie,
Can't believe you are not only fishing in cold weather and water, but also saying nice things about it. Am I dreaming?

backtofuturetoyota · Jan-16-26 1:39PM

well, I just spit my coffee out a bit envisioning ernie waddling wide legged across the parking to pee! admittedly I have done the same, except in coveralls!

Ernie · Jan-16-26 2:08PM

It was overalls (bib) as well. They are a PIA but serve their purpose.

Bryan · Jan-16-26 2:31PM

Bruce wrote:
Ernie,
Can't believe you are not only fishing in cold weather and water, but also saying nice things about it. Am I dreaming?

Same. I think his account has been compromised!

hookup · Jan-16-26 8:06PM

Ernie's a trooper - been out a more than a couple times with him when the Boyz were hiding behind the navel.

He just keeps on fishing and stays warm

Ernie · Jan-16-26 10:50PM

Bryan wrote:
I think his account has been compromised!

Oubassman · Jan-17-26 4:55PM

Way to go guys. Sometimes the fish don't do what they are supposed to.amfnyounhabr.yo pivot. Great job of pivoting and landing a few

Ernie · Jan-25-26 4:55PM

backtofuturetoyota wrote:
well, I just spit my coffee out a bit envisioning ernie waddling wide legged across the parking to pee!

I just fixed this! Never to happen again.

While rooting in the garage looking for foul weather gear as I was preparing for snow shoveling duty, I stumbled on a very nice pair of forgotten Steans foul weather bibs. And they fit! The big plus is that they have a zipper!!!!!

Osprey · Jan-26-26 12:06AM

Ernie wrote:
backtofuturetoyota wrote:
well, I just spit my coffee out a bit envisioning ernie waddling wide legged across the parking to pee!
I just fixed this! Never to happen again.

While rooting in the garage looking for foul weather gear as I was preparing for snow shoveling duty, I stumbled on a very nice pair of forgotten Steans foul weather bibs. And they fit! The big plus is that they have a zipper!!!!!

After this week's temps, you'll be able to wear them out back for an ice fishing / stogie break

Ernie · Jan-26-26 12:26AM

Osprey wrote:
After this week's temps, you'll be able to wear them out back for an ice fishing / stogie break

I was gonna light one up after finishing the shoveling but...too cold!

captmikestarrett · Jan-26-26 3:56PM

Cool video. I got one too.
https://indianheadcharters.com/wp-conte … copter.mp4

Turn the volume up.

Capt Mike

drxfish · Jan-26-26 4:38PM

Nice!

Ernie · Jan-26-26 5:58PM

So cool!

Murica!

Pacemaker Fishing Forum

#1 Jan-14-26 11:05PM

1-14-26, UP

#2 Jan-15-26 12:30AM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

#3 Jan-15-26 12:32AM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

#4 Jan-15-26 12:54AM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

hookup wrote:

#5 Jan-15-26 1:35AM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

Ernie wrote:

#6 Jan-15-26 12:54PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

#7 Jan-15-26 1:18PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

#8 Jan-15-26 6:23PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

Ernie wrote:

#9 Jan-15-26 8:30PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

#10 Jan-16-26 11:46AM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

#11 Jan-16-26 1:39PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

#12 Jan-16-26 2:08PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

#13 Jan-16-26 2:31PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

Bruce wrote:

#14 Jan-16-26 8:06PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

#15 Jan-16-26 10:50PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

Bryan wrote:

#16 Jan-17-26 4:55PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

#17 Jan-25-26 4:55PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

backtofuturetoyota wrote:

#18 Jan-26-26 12:06AM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

Ernie wrote:

backtofuturetoyota wrote:

#19 Jan-26-26 12:26AM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

Osprey wrote:

#20 Jan-26-26 3:56PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

#21 Jan-26-26 4:38PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

#22 Jan-26-26 5:58PM

Re: 1-14-26, UP

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