Kcritch and his very first pike...and it was a good one

[iceehot6766]

Well Ken and I decided to hit some water today...At first we didn't know what body of water to hit but we ended up agreeing on Budd Lake because it was 1/2 way between us distance wise and neither one of us have fished it so it would be a learning experience for both of us, which i am always up for.....We started at 8:30 am and started by looking for the deepest water we could find....but the whole lake, as we found out by days end is max. @ 11 feet....So I popped off a few small perch and a small bronze within the first hour or so, and thought, today is gonna be alright.......well we cruised up, down and all around with little success, meaning I got a few more guppy perch. that was all...I had bites all day long but no size.......we saw a bald eagle swoop down in the water , grab a fish, then fly up to a tree to rest......that was very cool.......Eagles are a regular sight in the state now which is awesome!!!!......

Where the heck are the bass in this awesome looking place?....playing hide and seek today for sure....we never found what we were looking for so late in the afternoon decided to rehit an area where I got the perch earlier.....2nd cast in.....Ken nails a giant pike, which just happens to be his very first Pike..Couldn't help notice how healthy and how beautiful the markings were on him....totally different than the pike I catch at the river......It was 30" and @ 5.5#...He was thrilled and rightfully so...Congratulations buddy and welcome to the club!!!!!...........two minutes later I nail one also but it unbuttons at the boat as fast as it was hooked......Kept at it a few more hours...had tons of takes on a jig and dropshot but all small.......End of the day and just as we were about to call it quits, Ken gets another nice healthy one!!..A little smaller than the first but still nice......Great job!!!....We ended up fishing for 11 hours today total..Long day but worth it......Couldn't have been a more beautiful day on the water.....

Let me say this, Ken is a very accomplished fisherman. He has unlimited fishing knowledge and perserverence.....and that always wins in the end.....Mike Iaconelli said it best..."NEVER GIVE UP".....I had such a great day on the water even though I didn't get anything pictureworthy, just some great scenic shots which was fine by me. I had to take advantage of that beautiful sunset to get some nice silhouette shots of me and Ken.....

Oh yeah, Lunch today was Rare Roast Beef w/ Horseradish Cheddar Cheese,Lettuce, Tomato, and Sliced Red Onions ,salt,pepper, and oregano on Ciabatta bread.......The sandwich weighed so much I'm surprised the boat didn't sink......lol.......Here's a few pics.....sorry for the long post and tons of pics, but it sums up a great day!!!!......Looking forward to fishing again anytime you are ready Ken...I had a really great day and you are a pleasure to fish with........and thank you for taking me out on your boat!!!.......Let the pictures tell the story....


Ken with his awesome first pike....How happy does he look?....Nice work!!
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k538/iceehot66/892878_440833412705064_361372902_o-2.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/iceehot66/media/892878_440833412705064_361372902_o-2.jpg.html)

Pike # 2
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k538/iceehot66/1262685_440833249371747_2105555531_o.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/iceehot66/media/1262685_440833249371747_2105555531_o.jpg.html)

Me fishing at sundown tonight...Thanks for taking this picture!!!
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k538/iceehot66/1273867_440832866038452_1714513396_o.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/iceehot66/media/1273867_440832866038452_1714513396_o.jpg.html)

Ken tonight at the end of the day.....
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k538/iceehot66/885217_440833089371763_199508165_o.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/iceehot66/media/885217_440833089371763_199508165_o.jpg.html)

Some scenery from today
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k538/iceehot66/1265618_440833856038353_993943722_o.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/iceehot66/media/1265618_440833856038353_993943722_o.jpg.html)

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k538/iceehot66/1294409_440833722705033_1994962634_o.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/iceehot66/media/1294409_440833722705033_1994962634_o.jpg.html)

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k538/iceehot66/1262802_440833789371693_597583386_o.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/iceehot66/media/1262802_440833789371693_597583386_o.jpg.html)

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k538/iceehot66/1292954_440834066038332_461029117_o.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/iceehot66/media/1292954_440834066038332_461029117_o.jpg.html)

Todays Lunch photo

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k538/iceehot66/sand-1.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/iceehot66/media/sand-1.jpg.html)

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k538/iceehot66/1266231_440833916038347_1747516569_o.jpg (http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/iceehot66/media/1266231_440833916038347_1747516569_o.jpg.html)

[UglyStick]

Nice pike guys and sounds like an overall great day on the water... and yes... that sandwich looks awesome... should have live lined that puppy... :)

[FASTEDDIE29]

Great detailed report Mitch!!! The pics are AWESOME! Ken, congrats on your first Pike, that's AWESOME! Nice looking fish out if Budd. Nice day day to be on the water all day. Good stuff guys. ��:D

Man, I would do some damage to a SAMMICH like that. Looks delicious!!!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Nice catch fellahs and some great pics too.

[Fish n Jeep]

Budd was my favorite lake when I was first getting heavy into bass fishing in the mid 90's... reason being, it was the only place I caught decent sized fish on more than one occasion. You are right Mitch, the bottom is pretty flat & featureless except for one small rock pile, and the submerged vegetation is ubiquitous. I usually did well casting spinnerbaits into the brush along the bog, and working the lilly pads in that same area with soft plastics. Looks like you were in the right area.

[jimmythegreek]

good job ken and mitch, way to put some fish in the boat. I stand corrected, there are actually fish still in Budd LOL. you guys definitely put some time in on that place, all day fishing at its finest........great job and nice pics, Im looking for one of those lunches soon :)

[kcritch]

I stand corrected, there are actually fish still in Budd LOL.

Jimmy - That place is a piece of cake....once you figure out it's 10,000 casts and $50 of tackle per fish! Wow that was a tough one.

Mitch is no joke with the tackle...he tried everything in multiple colors. Really taught me to not be afraid to switch it up. I never fish crankbaits and I got both of those Pike on a Perch/Firetiger pattern crankbait that I have owned for probably 10 years and never used until yesterday. Plus he is perpetually positive....every spot and every next cast and every cloud was going to be the one to turn them on.

Everyday is a great day on the water and there is no substitute for spending time on it to learn how to do this fishing thing. Fun stuff for sure.

[GetANet]

Nice Job!!! Congrats on your first AND second Ken!!! AWESOME pics of the day and the wicked sandwich Mitch!!!
I GOTTA FISH WITH BOTH OF YOU GUYS!!!!

[iceehot6766]

Jimmy - That place is a piece of cake....once you figure out it's 10,000 casts and $50 of tackle per fish! Wow that was a tough one.

Mitch is no joke with the tackle...he tried everything in multiple colors. Really taught me to not be afraid to switch it up. I never fish crankbaits and I got both of those Pike on a Perch/Firetiger pattern crankbait that I have owned for probably 10 years and never used until yesterday. Plus he is perpetually positive....every spot and every next cast and every cloud was going to be the one to turn them on.

Everyday is a great day on the water and there is no substitute for spending time on it to learn how to do this fishing thing. Fun stuff for sure.


I just wished we would have gotten some nice bass after 10,000 casts.....lol.....It was so funny because for all the bad stuff I have heard about Budd, I can tell that place must be excellent at certain times of the year.......It looks so perfect in certain spots and I can guess it is a fish factory in the spring....just gotta watch out for those waterskiers...lol........Next time we are gonna slaughter it there....can't wait to go again......Ken thanks again for the nice words.....

When I am fishing , it's all about having a good time and no stress(we all get enough of that at home), staying optimistic, and sticking with it...There is no reason to be crabby,negative, whining and complaining.....If that's the case, it makes a slow day that much worse AND no one wants to be held hostage on the water all day with a chronic complainer...........For me, it's not always about catching nice fish, it's the day on the water, away from some of life's everyday problems getting away from reality for a little while....enjoying the scenery,the wildlife, the weather, making new friend's..........Catching is great, but a fishless day doesn't mean the day is a bust...

Fish gotta eventually eat....and just as the weather over the course of the day changes, you have to learn to adapt to that as well to be a successful fisherman....Can't throw just one or two baits and hope that works.......I try to establish some kind of a pattern , always switching colors( I have somewhat of an idea based on clarity and environment) then narrow it down from there as to what is working , then variety of that similar type of bait.....Some days I get luckier, and make better choices than others.......those days are memorable

Hittin the water w/ Jim *Uglystik* today and have a feeling today will be a good one......If not, at least we eat good!!!.....FISH ON(ALWAYS!!)

[Wilson]

All that tackle and food cost $$$$
I'm jealous, doesn't anybody have to work anymore:confused:

[kcritch]

All that tackle and food cost $$$$
I'm jealous, doesn't anybody have to work anymore:confused:

Oh yes I have to work....That is only the second time I was able to take a non-planned weekday off to go fishing this year. Not sure I'll get another one until next spring now. Unless the wife finally buys the right lottery ticket! A dollar and a dream baby....a dollar and a dream! :D

[flatcreek]

I agree Mitch, Fishen is not always about catching, got the Spruce Goose today as Dale calls it and still had a great day. Congrads to Ken on your first Pike and thanks for the great report Mitch. (nice sandwich love those pics)

[iceehot6766]

All that tackle and food cost $$$$
I'm jealous, doesn't anybody have to work anymore:confused:


Unfortunately, I have been out of work since June......thankfully I had a little $$$$$ saved up just in case and have actively been seeking work since but nothing great offered and jobs offered have been w/o benefits which in today's world are priceless..I'd rather be working than being unproductive and collecting, but I gotta do what I gotta do until I find something...and I will find something.......Medical costs are through the roof(not mine)....I have no health issues that I know of, but I'm getting older(47) and a job that offers health benefits is as important as the job pay itself......My and my wife are toying w/ the idea and dream we both have had to open a small little restaurant but the search for a good location has been an issue......without good traffic, you are done within 8 months and I don't want that to happen and not gonna take that chance....In the meantime, the good that has come out of this is I have had alot of time to fish and just went with that instead of fighting myself and beating myself down about the job situation....My grandma always said, it always works out in the end.....and I believe that also.......I KNOW I will find something soon and it'll be better than what I was expecting......I have faith in that for sure

As far as my tackle and all that stuff......I don't do drugs, drink, or spend money on garbage stuff...I do my best to be responsible and if i have $$$ left over , so be it.......I spend my money on my family and myself.....So I am able to get things like nice tackle, rods, reels, because I don't do stupid stuff......This is just a blanket statement in general....My love is fishing, plain and simple....I like to have nice fishing stuff

[Wilson]

As far as my tackle and all that stuff......I don't do drugs, drink, or spend money on garbage stuff...I do my best to be responsible and if i have $$$ left over , so be it.......I spend my money on my family and myself.....So I am able to get things like nice tackle, rods, reels, because I don't do stupid stuff......This is just a blanket statement in general....My love is fishing, plain and simple....I like to have nice fishing stuff
Me too, although I'm a little older then you.
I have to come to the conclusion (for me that is) that anymore then 3 or 4 quality outfits and 5 lbs. of tackle
is just wasting money and pissing off the wife:eek:
Watching and showing people how to fish is just as enjoyable to me as actually fishing myself.

I hope you find some quality work. Quality and integrity in America is becoming a much more rarer bird to find these days. I put up with so much shit at work because if I quit or get laid off I know I'm done making decent money with benefits.
When you buy everything on the cheap from China etc. someone else pays for it with no job.
Good luck with the job search...you already have it (luck) when fishing:)