Spearing/Clarity reports - S.E. Wisconsin

fleshy · Jun 30, 2008

Good luck guys, I really want to try this later in the year when I have an oppertunity. Let mek now how everything is, so I can get some of us central boys down there sometime soon.

Whopperhead · Jul 2, 2008

The water was COLD! Vis about 5-10'. Fish= hard to find. Until we got to the "L" (breakwall that turns) The water went from 5' vis to about 40'. The water temp was about 51 degrees. There were a couple Perch around and a ton of gobies. There were some Big Carp- Including one "baby hippo" I got a shot on her but it was low in the belly and she ripped it out. I ended up with one perch (13") and a decent Carp. dotey ended up with 2 normal size perch, 2 suckers and 3 carp. There were a couple BIG Perch but they would take off as soon as they saw my ungly mug. also they were right in the Channel there. I know we can cross, but not spearfish in that area. Next Time.

There were no 'health' advisors posted but I can feel I'm getting sick. The Shallows were a little bit warmer 59 degrees. We were in the water for about 7 hours - me with my 3mil neoprene. I had to get out a couple times to warm up. From now on- 5mil. If I get warm, I'll cool myself off.

We did see that shipwreck off of BAYVIEW park- that was kinda cool. I got some decent video.

Can't wait to get back there- but I'm not sure when that will be. Probably after WAZEE.

OH! We saw a boat catch on fire and had to be put out by the coast guard. That was interesting.

PICS: 1st: The Volunteer 1888.
2nd: dotey with a carp.
3rd: Whopperhead getting in some bottom time.
4th: Where have we seen this before? (dotey about to shoot me in the face).
5th: It was a tad bit cold for my 3mil.

Whopperhead · Jul 2, 2008

More Pics- from SSYC, Milwaukee, WI July 1st

PICS: 1st: There has to be a fish under here somewhere.
2nd: dotey making it to the bottom (17')
3rd: dotey gives Lake Mich - his seal of approval
4th: Whopperhead warming up from the cold water
5th: dotey with 1 of his 2 suckers

fleshy · Jul 2, 2008

Awesome pictures! How was the wreck? Pretty laid out or was it still it okay condition? The picture of it looks like it was good, but its not the whole thing so you cant really tell. Im excited to get up to door county this weekend, even though its looking like it only might be one day! Down from the three we had planned because my dad decided while I was gone that this was the weekend he wanted to bail hay. Luckily it worked out that my wetsuit wouldnt even be here until that day, so everything turned out fine.

Jon · Jul 2, 2008

There's not much to the wreck- mostly a keel, some ribs and some twisted metal.

It was an old ship that was taken to the area off of South Shore and set on fire- kind of like nineteenth century fireworks. Familys had picnics and watched it burn. There are bits of it scattered on the outside of the wall, but the majortiy is on the inside.

To get wrecks of any structure to them you have to be out in at least 60' of water- anyhting less and the waves and ice break them up too much- not to mention the fact that the govenrment will blow up anyhting that sticks up past 40' as a hazard to navigation.

Jon

slingshaft · Jul 2, 2008

Hey Fleshy, is your R A Tuna in any of those pics?

Whopperhead · Jul 5, 2008

OAK CREEK POWER PLANT

Just read a report- Fisherman are nailing the Perch at the oak creek power plant-

Has anyone ever dove this? Do they freak out when funny looking guys are swimming around in the water by their plant? Just wondering if I can put this spot on my "Places to check out" list. Or If someone else has been there- would like to know how it is? Looks like it is fairly clear. Also, has structure not too far out.

Jon · Jul 5, 2008

I've dove their intake pipe- it's very long. The pipe is covered with rock and the reef it makes comes up off the bottom a good 10'. The intake at the end was pretty good size- much larger than the MGE one, but not as big as the one off of Bradford beach.

I never speared it, but was doing a search and recovery job there one time using a scooter to cover some big distances. I had a school of big brown's following me around the whole time- I think they were attracted to the scooter hum as I've never had that happen otherwise.

Jon

Whopperhead · Jul 6, 2008

Ted and I went to check out PINE LAKE today. Pretty freak'n cool. Vis was about 20', water temp was about 75 degrees. Lots of fish- But hard to shoot- unless your unirdna. That guy is a good spearo. Tons of carp! but I didn't bring anything to transport them- so, I let them be. Lots of boat, skiiers to watch out for. WE ended up shooting mostly crappies and a couple of White bass.

unirdna · Jul 6, 2008

Scott's right, now that the spawn is over, the panfish are considerably less courageous. And yeah, anyone thinking of heading out there should have a very visible (and legal) float - they come close even when they do see you, so keep one eye on the fish and one eye on that idiot pulling his kids on the tube.

That white bass was just under 18" (pinch tail measurement). What a Great day! Thanks for driving, Scott. ...who would have thought Hartland would be out of ice?

And BTW, my two biggest crappies were 13.5 and 13.75 - so your record is still safe...(but, Pine Lake isn't anymore ).

ILDiver · Jul 6, 2008

Nice mess of fish!

Jon · Jul 6, 2008

Glad you guy shad a good time. Next time Leave a cell phone number with Ted's wife so she's not calling me up at 7pm wondering if he's still alive.

That lake is a sweet little gem to dive. I've taught a few private scuba classes out there in the past. The place is swimming in money and the people there don't seem to take outsiders into consideration much. That boat ramp is somewhat new and prior to that you needed to back your boat down a dirt ramp and park in the next township- about a mile or two away. In the winter time people would spread roofing nails on the ice around that access to keep the ice fisherman off.

Lots of cool stuff to be found off the island and some really good relief n the southern part of the lake- with lots of fish. Hopefully I can join you next time.

Jon

bgill · Jul 14, 2008

I really SHAD a good time today! Went to Lake Michigan at Racine's North Beach today and cruised the breakwall looking for perch. Lot's of decent ones but only a few REALLY big ones were seen...And I spooked 'em off before I could get a poke at 'em.

Vis was a good 40 feet plus...:inlove

Had a monster carp following me aroud for awhile but only had the polespear out today! :vangry Maybe next time!

Ended up shwackin' two shad and two perch. The perch only went 11 and 12 inches. The shad were some of the biggest ones I've gotten. Man they are smelly! Coulda whacked 11 and 12 inch perch all day but was lookin' for them 14's and bigger!

Here's a crappy pic of todays bounty!

P.S.- Also found a SAWED OFF PISTOL GRIPPED 20 GAUGE SHOTGUN! With the serial numbers filed off! I left it right where it was after examining it!!! Yikes! :mute Looked to be pretty crusty and in-operable...20 feet of water just north of the lighthouse!

Whopperhead · Jul 14, 2008

Those are some nice fish- BIG Shad!

I would of turned that gun in. It could of been something the "Po Po" were looking for. That's just me.

Yeah we need the water to be about 10 degrees warmer for some serious Perch Action. I was in MN all weekend.

Jon · Jul 14, 2008

If you don't want to bring the gun up yourself you should at least report the location to the police. I know the guy who runs the department dive team down there and he's a first rate techdiver- as well as a tech diving instructor. It will give hims something interesting to do this week.

Jon

bgill · Jul 15, 2008

I called 'em about it...Hopefully the next time I go there the area's not "roped off"!!! I told 'em I could easily find it for them again. If I see it next time I go there I'll call the cops and have 'em meet me near the lighthouse - I'll get it for them then! Other than that I won't touch the thing outta water! :naughty Possesion of a "sawed off" is majorly illegal!

bgill · Jul 16, 2008

Went to Bender Park today after I was done working just to check it out. I figured it is in-between "the boils" and the "Oak Creek power plant" so there MIGHT be some perch hangin around the rocks there. Hook & Line fishermen have been doing well at both the forementioned spots. No dice. Only a few smaller ones hanging around. Water is still WAAAAAY to cold for any decent perch action. Still at 52* degrees!!!

I did take a shot at a gargantuan carp but hit'er too far back and she pulled off! I shot as she was turning to vamoose outta there! :vangry Coulda been a "contest" fish maybe... The one it was with looked even bigger but it was outta range.

Also saw a few smallie's, the usual small trout, a huge brown trout, and I shot a small sucker - Just because! Other than that pretty uneventful. Really shallow there too. Only about 9 to 12 f.o.w. - Awesome vis though - Probably better than 50 feet! :inlove Not really worth the time as far as spearing goes but I had fun anyways! Swam around upside down looking at the sky and blowing bubbles!

bgill · Jul 24, 2008

Hit Golden Lake up for awhile today cuz I was near there when done with work...Vis was horrible - Only a GREEN 6 feet at best. :head

Had to play aspetto to get ANY decent fish...Ended the day with two nine inch bluegills. Saw NO other pan-fish worth spearing. Only saw a few smallish bass. Zero carp...Warm 89 degree water!

Still, it was good to be "doing my thing" for awhile. Being able to jump right in is nice - No wetsuit!!!

Looks like I'm only gonna be at Lake Geneva, Lake Michigan, and a few other select lakes until mid September. Everything else is gettin' pretty green down here. Gotta go up North a bit otherwise!

I'll be at Kenosha OR Racine tomorrow about noon - Hopefully gettin some hogster Perch!

See ya in the water!

-Dan-

Whopperhead · Jul 25, 2008

"Kyle in WI", dotey & Myself headed out to SSYC (South Shore Yacht Club) The waters were calm and ok for vis (20') - the water temp has gone up to 64 degrees. We swam all over the breakwall and by the time we got back to the "L" the winds had picked up and the waves were about 1 foot and the vis dropped to 10'. BUT...........The Perch are IN! I ended up with 4 - with my Biggest being 15 1/8" (I think takes the lead) There were also a TON of "ALFI"? Large schools of Bait fish- and tons of Gizzard Shad and Carp- I shot 3 Fairly big ones- but not big enough

This was Kyles first time spearfishing and his first shot he nails a 12" Perch! Good Job Kyle. :friday

Whopperhead · Jul 25, 2008

A few more pics from today-

Spearing/Clarity reports - S.E. Wisconsin

Gimme some sugar baby.

Wisconsin Speargun Hunter

Attachments

Wisconsin Speargun Hunter

Attachments

Gimme some sugar baby.

Dairyland diver

Well-Known Member

Wisconsin Speargun Hunter

Dairyland diver

Wisconsin Speargun Hunter

Attachments

tropical wuss

I just wanna dive

Dairyland diver

BANNED

Wisconsin Speargun Hunter

Dairyland diver

BANNED

BANNED

BANNED

Wisconsin Speargun Hunter

Attachments

Wisconsin Speargun Hunter

Attachments

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency