Tuesday, February 23, 2010

I just love it when people come in here and tell me that the grocery store sells bait for less while they dig through their wallets for some cash. Seems like kind of a stupid thing to say. Why aren't they standing at the check out lane down at the grocery store saying the baits more expensive at the bait shop? Hmmm. I don't mind though. At least they are here and not there.
12 days and counting until the end of game fish season '09-10. It'll probably be like a morgue around here until the ice is off. Good time to do some serious housekeeping and give the aerators a little break. We'll be shutting this operation down from the 24Th of March until the 7Th of April to do a road trip to Florida. We're looking forward to some camping and hooking up with old chums and my dear mother-in-law and to unload the remainder of our paintball equipment.
By the sound of things the crappies are starting to loosen up and get more aggressive. They're still preferring the abyss and just sit down there waiting for you to come to them, as opposed to hanging around just under the ice. Once you get there though you'll be well rewarded. Just stick a crappie minnow on that jig and send 'er down. Walleyes are deep now too. They're down to 30 feet and about a foot off the bottom. Shiners and suckers are working well as they have all season.
The Minnesota anglers are aplenty this time of year and what a welcome sight they are. I'm hearing that they can't get any shiners there now. I'm thinking it's because of the VHS disease that some areas are experiencing. We've got plenty of shiners here and those guys are liking it.
So whether you're from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois or anywhere come on up to Stone Lake and stop in and see us. Have a safe drive.
Take care, God bless and ......Fish Your Buns Off!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

We're Baaack!! Finally got the hold hardware up and running again. Had to sell enough minnows to get back online here so hopefully we'll be able to do some regular posting.
Things are changing here at Stone Lake Bait and Tackle. We've closed up the paintball field (sad face) because Jack has moved to New Richmond and is persuing a career in the tatooing field. I'm pretty sure I just heard what could be described as our deceased loved ones rolling over. Anyone who knows "The Buds" though can rest assured that he's still the same great kid, tatoos or not. Anyway, the paintball field will be transformed into an archery range this summer and we'll be starting with 3-5 shooting lanes. We'll add more as the funds permit us to. We'll also be adding a 3D shooting course in the woods out back. We are really excited to add this to the offerings here along with our fleet (1) of rental boat. We'll be adding more of those too if it turns out to be popular.
We've added a clothing line called Reel Women Fish. It's mainly tee shirts and sweatshirts with some kids and baby clothing too. We want there to be something for everyone here.
It's been a good winter. Hard to believe that it's our second ice fishing season. New customers continue to find us here tucked away from the main drag. The local support and word of mouth has been great. Thanks to all!
There's only a couple of weeks left before walleye and northern season shuts down although you can still panfish all year long. Things will start to get pretty quiet and we may close for a week or so later in March. It would work out well because Jenal and I might be doing a road trip to Florida to deliver a load of stuff from the paintball operation. One of America's finest just returned from Iraq and has expressed some interest in starting up his own field and wants to buy what we don't need anymore. We're anxious to get that firmed up.
Well that should bring y'all up to date to what's happening here. Check out our new website at www.stonelakebait.com .
Take care. God bless and.......Fish Your Buns Off!