Montana - Wide Open Salmon
Montana Fishing
Nov 13, 2023 19:07:55 #
Photo 1 - Don’t call it the Big Sky for nothing. Heading to lake
Photo 2 - only boat on lake all day. Air temp 30, water 40 and 30 ft plus visibility
Photo 3 - those that know me, I target bass… large and smallmouth. Bass fishing was pretty tough, so I began scanning deeper water 40-50 in search of bass using live forward sonar. Came across large schools of Kokanee salmon down deep. It got stupid quick. Really didn’t matter what I dropped on them, they bit. Following the schools with live forward sonar was fun, and just to easy. Caught and released about 35 before getting back in search of bass.
Photo 4: Males (shown in pics) were decent size. Smaller females loaded with eggs.
Photo 5: almost home. Tourist all gone, and already some white stuff. More coming next week, so I’ll gonna squeeze another trip soon. Tight lines to all
Note: Lithium Batteries. Installed 2 Ionic 100ah for trolling motor last week. Ran approx 6 hrs today on TM. Had 90 % battery life left. Crazy. Ridiculously over priced compared to some other brands, but I wanted the blue tooth which just about doubles the price. I often connect from lake to lake in shallow connecting streams. I need the reassurance of battery life to make it back (too shallow for big motor). Plus the Ionic have better BMS for charging in colder weather. Oh, and got rid of 2 very heavy 31 series wet cell batteries in the swap 👍
Photo 2 - only boat on lake all day. Air temp 30, water 40 and 30 ft plus visibility
Photo 3 - those that know me, I target bass… large and smallmouth. Bass fishing was pretty tough, so I began scanning deeper water 40-50 in search of bass using live forward sonar. Came across large schools of Kokanee salmon down deep. It got stupid quick. Really didn’t matter what I dropped on them, they bit. Following the schools with live forward sonar was fun, and just to easy. Caught and released about 35 before getting back in search of bass.
Photo 4: Males (shown in pics) were decent size. Smaller females loaded with eggs.
Photo 5: almost home. Tourist all gone, and already some white stuff. More coming next week, so I’ll gonna squeeze another trip soon. Tight lines to all
Note: Lithium Batteries. Installed 2 Ionic 100ah for trolling motor last week. Ran approx 6 hrs today on TM. Had 90 % battery life left. Crazy. Ridiculously over priced compared to some other brands, but I wanted the blue tooth which just about doubles the price. I often connect from lake to lake in shallow connecting streams. I need the reassurance of battery life to make it back (too shallow for big motor). Plus the Ionic have better BMS for charging in colder weather. Oh, and got rid of 2 very heavy 31 series wet cell batteries in the swap 👍
Nov 13, 2023 19:20:43 #
Nov 13, 2023 19:36:10 #
JB134 wrote:
Photo 1 - Don’t call it the Big Sky for nothing. H... (show quote)
Nice Kokes JB. Beautiful country out there but I think I'll plan my visit for the summer months.
Thanks for the report on the Lithiums, I'm hoping to try them on the next boat. Hopefully the prices come down by then. 
Nov 13, 2023 22:31:24 #
Nov 13, 2023 23:51:07 #
Nov 14, 2023 00:21:32 #
Nov 14, 2023 06:45:55 #
Jer
Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸
JB134 wrote:
Photo 1 - Don’t call it the Big Sky for nothing. H... (show quote)
Very nice color on those Kokanee. How much is a weight loss did you have by switching out the batteries? 30-40 pounds?
Thanks for sharing.
Nov 14, 2023 07:50:28 #
Jer wrote:
Very nice color on those Kokanee. How much is a weight loss did you have by switching out the batteries? 30-40 pounds?
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
New batteries weigh 24 lbs ea… old ones weigh 65 ea… quite a bit. These have a 11 yr warranty too which is nice
Nov 14, 2023 08:52:48 #
Jer
Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸
JB134 wrote:
New batteries weigh 24 lbs ea… old ones weigh 65 ea… quite a bit. These have a 11 yr warranty too which is nice
Wow, that is awesome. 82 pounds lighter is huge.
Thanks JB.
Nov 14, 2023 09:43:02 #
Fredfish wrote:
The coldest winter I ever spent was the Fourth of July in Montana. Thanks for your post JB. You always make me homesick. I love it!!!Nice Kokes JB. Beautiful country out there but I think I'll plan my visit for the summer months. Thanks for the report on the Lithiums, I'm hoping to try them on the next boat. Hopefully the prices come down by then.
Thanks for the report on the Lithiums, I'm hoping to try them on the next boat. Hopefully the prices come down by then. Nov 14, 2023 09:49:24 #
Graywulff wrote:
The coldest winter I ever spent was the Fourth of July in Montana. Thanks for your post JB. You always make me homesick. I love it!!!
HAHAHA.
Nov 14, 2023 10:08:39 #
Great post and nice pics. Those are some huge Kokanee! And thanks for info on the lithium batts. Stay warm!
Nov 14, 2023 10:10:28 #
Graywulff wrote:
The coldest winter I ever spent was the Fourth of July in Montana. Thanks for your post JB. You always make me homesick. I love it!!!
I remember at least one 4th that was spitting snow while watching fireworks. Next day was 90*, instant summer!
Nov 14, 2023 10:13:41 #
bric wrote:
I remember a couple of times and yeah next day a scorcher. It is the Last Best Place for certain.I remember at least one 4th that was spitting snow while watching fireworks. Next day was 90*, instant summer!
Nov 14, 2023 10:28:08 #
JB134 wrote:
Photo 1 - Don’t call it the Big Sky for nothing. H... (show quote)
Dandy one's JB, and yes the sky's are big out there. Loved riding my Harley out there in S.D. an WY in 08. Yes them batteries aren't cheap but I hear there worth it 👍
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