Hi Everyone,
How much stock do you put in the first fish of the year? I got mine tonight and I had to work for it. It could kindly be described as "average" or "good eater". Frankly, its a bit undersized for a Suski walleye. I am hopeful for a good year since living in Minnesota for 3 years made walleye my favorite species. I guess we'll see what happens. How does everyone else interpret their first fish of the year?

I have room for improvement.

It's hard to say. My best year on record started with a large mountain whitefish on my first cast of the year. I had fun bringing him in on a 3wt fly rod, but most people around here consider them junk fish. That year I caught over 2000 fish,caught two fish on the same lure twice (a first for me), broke my best laremouth record multiple times, and broke my best smallmouth record. I guess less desirable specimens are good luck for me personally.

As a buddy of mine always says, "it is what it is". (: Here is my first one of 2013,

I guess mine was a little perch.
Arlo, do you find the level-wind reel cuts dwon on line twist? More importatnly, does it make a difference?

No picture but mine was a largemouth that went about a pound and a half. Caught it on a tip up along with seven others last week.

~JOE~

i was very happy with my first fish of the year 1/4/13, trying to get out as much as possible,

A friend and I limited out on smaller rainbows for trout opener.

Not sure what to think. The size was down but the action was fast.

quote shock: "i was very happy with my first fish of the year 1/4/13, trying to get out as much as possible, "

Nice fish!

quote shock: "i was very happy with my first fish of the year 1/4/13, trying to get out as much as possible, "

Big 'eye for sure.

quote lundojam: "I guess mine was a little perch.
Arlo, do you find the level-wind reel cuts dwon on line twist? More importatnly, does it make a difference?"

For finicky Blugills in clear water it can help. They don't seem to like the bait spinning down there, it doesn't look natural imo. I don't realy like it in water deeper then about 12' because it's a 1/1 drive. Kind of fun though.

quote togue: " A friend and I limited out on smaller rainbows for trout opener.


Not sure what to think. The size was down but the action was fast. "

That looks like some great action.

Getting better but the weather has been brutal the past few days!

Not getting especially better here, but as a novice, I'm just happy when I catch! Weather here Spring-like (Reached 50 yesterday, what the heck?) but fortunately about to get colder. Hoping to try some ice fishing this season, but still no real safe ice here. Thank goodness for the river.

@-Arlo and shock

Those are both really nice walleyes.

Nice fish everybody.

quote MeatGun: "Not getting especially better here, but as a novice, I'm just happy when I catch! Weather here Spring-like (Reached 50 yesterday, what the heck?) but fortunately about to get colder. Hoping to try some ice fishing this season, but still no real safe ice here. Thank goodness for the river. "

Nice MeatGun. I love fishing the rivers here they give up some nice walleyes.

From the 1st trip of 2013 Western Branch in Upper Marlboro Maryland

quote HammerII: "





From the 1st trip of 2013 Western Branch in Upper Marlboro Maryland"

Is that a Carolina Skiff? I love the no nonsense fishability of those boats.

I am not worthy to view these photographs. I have as yet not acquired a fishing license for this year.

Pulled this little gem out of the new rattle pail... what do you think of my invention?? What you can't see is a rattle reel bolted under the spin lid. The bottom of the pail is cut off. The pail is black to produce heat in the sun. Works pretty slick even down to zero.

Great idea Sobi!

First Crappie of 2013.

The first fish of the year from a week and a half ago (it was followed by many other Perch-clones). The ice was very "active" that day too...

quote Arlo Pankook: "First Crappie of 2013. "

another nice fish arlo.... stay thirsty my friends.

quote Arlo Pankook: "

quote HammerII: "







From the 1st trip of 2013 Western Branch in Upper Marlboro Maryland"

Is that a Carolina Skiff? I love the no nonsense fishability of those boats."

Stole a ride with a friend as we splashed his new Carolina Skiff. Its one of the deluxe 18ft center console models with front platform. He added a sweet GPS trolling motor and its a great skinny water fishing machine.

First trout of the year. 26' Splake

quote dpreiner21: "


First trout of the year. 26' Splake"

Nice dpreiner21. That one really looks like a laker. Can tell though by the tail fin shape its a splake. Very impressive beautiful fish man.

Nice Splake! That looks fun.

quote dpreiner21: "


First trout of the year. 26' Splake"

Wow that is a beautiful fish , it does resemble a laker .The marbling on the back is really neat. Do you fish for them using the same methods as you do a laker ?

I caught this one with a jigging rapala (silver and blue) tipped with a minnow head. When fishing trout (doesnt matter what kind) I usually use a swedish pimple tipped with a minnow, jigging rap, or a forage minnow jig from northland tackle.

quote Gravy33: "

quote dpreiner21: "



First trout of the year. 26' Splake"

Wow that is a beautiful fish , it does resemble a laker .The marbling on the back is really neat. Do you fish for them using the same methods as you do a laker ?"

Awesome fish

First fish was a 5" crappie 3rd was a 11-3/4" crappie, we had entertainment all day with the wind blowing watched at least 6 to 10 ice shacks blow across the ice, portables were very hard to set up.

15" Rainbow this past wkend fishing the Arrowhead. Buddies' first fish was 17.5" bow. really nice fish.

quote dpreiner21: "


First trout of the year. 26' Splake"

Very nice fish .

my son's first fish of the year #4-12 walleye(1-25-13)