Home Forums Fishing Freshwater First fish of 2023 thread

First day out on the water in 2023 in my float tube in CO. Biggest fish is about 18 inches.

Monday my coworker and I decided we were going to do a team building exercise. (that means we went fishing and didn't take it as a vacation day...)

It was very slow fishing, 1 or 2 fish were the most we could coax out of a given spot. But beats working.

My first of the day-



Had a double, one off each side of the boat



Vertical dropping into the brush scored us a nice pair.



Stop at the trout park on the way to use their cleaning station

While I would love to be able to post some fish pictures, at least we had some incredible sunrises and sunsets! Slowest fishing I've ever experienced and first time I've ever been skunked! Lake Michigan was unagreeable most of the time, so we were out on Green Bay. The one morning we were able to get out on the lake, we went to our "favorite" spots. I was setting up the starboard spread and had a strike before I was finished. Felt like a good fish then confirmed when it started jumping. Got up to the planner board, removed it and continued the fight. Back and forth, back and forth, line in, line out... got it to about 50' from the boat and the 10lb line broke! Newer line, no nicks or abrasions, just a big fish pulling hard. So, obviously, lost the fish but also one of my favorite Rapala's! Oh well... at least they're still making the Rapala. Ran for 6 more miles after this without anything happening! Experienced, local, fisherman at the helm and me trying not to look like Gilligan! Lol!

First carp of the year. 2 nice size and lost one.

Rainbow I caught last month. About 10" for this first of the year; the later ones were bigger.

Finally caught a pike last night… a dink for sure, and on a tube.

That’s ironic given I’ve been tossing red & white daredevils, big spinner baits, and other pike lures.

Been finding spots where I can put my canoe in, paddle up or downstream, and paddle back so I don’t need a spotter.

I’ve been fishing every chance I get… had maybe 5 min before a client meeting so I pulled out my UL rig and on my second cast caught this little smallie which, on that little rod and 4 lb test was a great fight!



Got a promotion at work so I have to say good bye to the beautiful little town I’m in now and head into the big city which is a genuine shame but I’m excited for the new position.

Hope everyone is having a great spring!!!