Just got back from another three day trip to Banks Lake. It's unfortunate but my wife has volunteered all the fish for Sunday dinner.
Great trip, slow at times and frustrating at others. Went to Banks because the docks weren't in at Potholes. Bottom line, the fishing was fun, the fish not huge but keepers and eaters and I didn't know that Burbot haunted the lake but its on the menu for Sunday dinner. A couple of big fish that swam away nicely - as it should be. Heard about some huge fish being caught at the "hump" on blades, but all I caught was the Burbot on a rigged nightcrawler.
Let's get into particulars. I think I have financially supported Mack's Lures with whatever was recommended to catch fish. Of all the stuff I purchased, the Chartruese color of smile blade, clipped off and replaced with a #1 Slow Death Hook rigged with a nightcrawler seemed to do the trick. Trolled on the electric at 0.7 mph. There was not any crank bait bite whatsoever. I had everything rigged but the fish were just too scattered for jigging, crankbaiting, or dropshotting. I'm probably just not holding my jaw correctly so I resorted to trolling and drinking coffee. There are obviously better fishermen in this world than myself - at least that's what they espouse.
On the advice of a local - whom I knew of some 40 years ago across the hanger, was believe it or not, a Chartruese Spin n' Glo with Mylar blades. That's all this gentleman uses and he catches some serious fish. It just works! Could have saved a couple of hundred dollars if I would have just looked in my tackle boxes ... the price per ounce of fish continues to climb. He actually chased me down, pulled me over just to tell me about fishing the hump. How much nicer can one be.
Rigging ..... switched to 20 lb braided line with a flouro leader with 2 oz bottom bouncers. Lighter weight bouncers just wouldn't contact the bottom at 0.7 so I went heavy. Used both the bottom bouncer and bullet weight just to see if it made a difference - none noted. Green Smile blades with slow death hook and the Spin N Glo with the slow death hook - three days of fishing and limits each day. That and I can't even begin to tell you how many throw backs and pesky little perch. Used the Gulp nightcrawler and it worked surprisingly well - one rod with Gulp and one rod with 'crawlers. It was the "Great Experiment". Depth ... looked at 30' and nothing, looked at 50' and nothing - between 35' and 45' at 0.7 mph on the electric motor was where I caught fish. Water temperature was 44-45.6 degrees. Fished Barker Flats north and south and out to the Hump - must have 300 GPS waypoints logged. Smooth flat water, not exactly prime Walleye conditions but definitely comfortable. 0700 to 1700 - no night fishing - that place gets black in a hurry.
I know Walleye move around but it seems as if the more north side of Barker Flats was better. Can't tell you why. I was prepared to go anywhere on the lake to catch fish. I was going to fish until the fuel ran out or the batteries! Would like to fish the north part of the lake but just didn't get around to it. Maybe next time.
There you have it - it always bothers me when fishermen are lock jawed about what they use, how they use it - its just fishing. We should all share our tackle, rigging, experiences and both unsuccessful and those awesome days when we just can't do anything wrong (haven't had any of those yet).
I'll probably hit Banks again in a couple of weeks - provided I can get a "Fishing Pass" from my wife!

Larry3215

3/20/2015 6:11:00 PM

Outstanding report! Thanks!

Hunter757

3/20/2015 6:50:00 PM

Great report and sound advice. Pass on what you learn so other's can enjoy the outdoors, remeber we all start wanting to learn more and its the people that are willing to share there experiences that set the example. Hope you get your fishing pass, sounds like you had a wonderful time.

Tight lines,

Eric

Larry3215

3/20/2015 6:57:00 PM

By the way, Im guessing the "Hump" is that shallow spot about 1/2 way between Steamboat and Barker flats that gets up to around 20 feet or so? We didnt catch anything other than babies around Barker last year.

My bros and I are heading back to spend 5 days at Banks the third week in May. I'm excited to hear your burbot report as that's one species we especially want to target this time around. Thanks again for the great report!

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