Appleton report

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Sportspal
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Appleton report

Post by Sportspal »

Went to Appleton about a week ago. Woke up at 5am to dark clouds to the west, and thought about cancelling, but the radar showed only a tiny blob of precip, right over me...
Got to the launch during a heavy downpour, which is typical of my outings. If I plan to fish, its going to rain.
By the time we launched, the rain had pretty much quit, and the water was like glass. We worked out way up some shoreline spots that we like, and had little to show for it.
We ended up just past the hydro lines and had maybe 3-4 fish to show for our hard work, nothing picture worthy. Just a two weeks previous, I had a five species outing there (Pike, Smallie, Largie, Crappie and a Walleye), but this week was the Largie outing, and we had only largies caught until on the last few casts, my buddy hooks into a respectable smallie:

Image

Image

We left around lunch as I had volunteered to pickup some furniture from a store for a family member in the afternoon, and we watched a lad pulling his boat out of the water. Now the water was high, but the Appleton launch is generally shallow. This guy had a 14 foot lund, 20HP Yammy, and his pull vehicle was a new Dodge Ram 4X2. Well, this guy back so far into the water, that I can't see the load guides on the trailer, and he hops out of his truck into waist deep water to crank the boat on the trailer. I mean, amazing, just simply amazing. We chatted a bit when I got to shore, and he said he had gotten stuck at Pakenham a week earlier.
On that note, I'm shopping for a new tow vehicle, and was wondering if anyone had any issues with 2X4 trucks, or is it worth it to spend the extra 5k and get a 4X4. My last truck, a 2005 Envoy had 4X4, and I loved the security of knowing i could get out of anything at any time.
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katch moore
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Post by katch moore »

that is a tanned smallie you got there, very nice colors!!
Last edited by katch moore on Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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beachburger
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Post by beachburger »

Nice smallie.

I'm now thinking about a new truck to replace the old Dakota 4x2 and I will only consider at 4x4s. A few weeks back I needed to ask Salar's dad to use his 4x4 to haul my boat out at the Muskrat Lake launch and last summer I just barely got out at the Bonnechere launch.
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JRSuprstar
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Post by JRSuprstar »

Beauty...
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Yannick Loranger
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Post by Yannick Loranger »

had a 4x2, got stuck alot. have a 4x4 now, love it!! Go for 4x4 man. Like you said, the peace of mind alone is worth 5k.
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almontefisher
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Post by almontefisher »

Hey Sportspal...you fish Aplleton a lot??? Next time you head down send me a PM...I fish there all the time...It is my after work quick and easy go to location. Love the Apple a lot...nothing huge but constant fish.
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washwater
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Post by washwater »

Good work Sportspal and GordieOrr!!! Nice looking Smallies!!!
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Bass Addict
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Re: Appleton report

Post by Bass Addict »

Sportspal wrote: Well, this guy back so far into the water, that I can't see the load guides on the trailer, and he hops out of his truck into waist deep water to crank the boat on the trailer. I mean, amazing,


This one lake I launch my boat at ...........


If I were to open the drivers door water would pour in , Don't forget I'm
driving a Pontiac Sunfire 8) 8)
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Bear
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Post by Bear »

nice fish sportspal, luv this area myself and fish it often. think i saw this same truck your talking about a month ago only this time someone had to tow him out :shock:

i drive a montana and have never had any trouble pulling out my boat
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Chevy Champagne
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Post by Chevy Champagne »

nice looking smallmouth bud glad to see some big fish
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PrincePro
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Post by PrincePro »

Appleton is a great spot for ensuring fish in the boat and variety. My kids love it becasue they always come home with something. My advice is to go for the 4X4. It ensures that you can launch and retrieve from just about anywhere. I have my Sierra in the water on a regular basis launching my Princecraft 166.
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Jasonb
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Post by Jasonb »

After working in a garage and with vehicles for many years, go for the 4x4... the added security of knowing that all wheels can provide pulling power, plus it will take alot less work from the rear diff, as the power is also supplied to the front diff, if you can find a vehicle that has a variable center differential, or a vehicle that allows you to tranfer the power from a 50/50 split to like 40/60 that would be ideal....

JaY
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Salar
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Post by Salar »

With the condition of most of the boat launches in the area, I'd go with the 4X4. Just press that magic 4X4 button and you're on your way :)
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