12/19/11 Report!

Tonights story- Small Metro Crappies. And lots of em!

Got out on Some local water tonight. This trip was just a quick un scheduled trip. Mindy has a big exam this week so she needed to study, and Zoey was at grandmas. What else was I to do then run to the lake!
Set up in about 7 feet of water on a small flat that tapers off into deeper water that max's out at about 11 foot. Also within a few yards is pretty much the only rock pile in the lake that tops off at about 5 foot.

Small Crappies was tonight's game, I think the biggest came in at 10 1/4" and smallest was a whopping 4 inch monster that literally pulverized a 1/100th Oz hair jig tied up in my favorite combo Chartreuse Head and Brown hair.
I was able to get two fairly decent gills that were about 8 1/2 inches. Bonus fish for this lake. Those came in on the chart/ black Lindy Bug.

I also got to try out some new rods. I picked up a a pair of Thorne Brothers power Noodles as a Gift to myself for making it 100 days without a smoke.
Now I know what your all thinking, Why would he have them build rods for him when He builds rods. the answer is simple. Something different, nothing more than that. I have always been a fan of the power noodles and build almost all my own rods on the same blanks. These being the first two I actually had "them" build for me and I have to say the craftsmanship is what one should expect given the price tag.

A new section for this weeks blog and hopefully every week to come will be "Around the Shop". In around the shop this week, I am working on a Christmas present that my neighbor is giving his dad. This rod is neat because it is being built on one of the original Fenwick HMX blanks. These blanks are amazing and I cant wait to get it done for him!

First Ice report!

Well we finally have Ice I got out about a week ago on a fairly small lake in the southern portion of the state. On thursday Night the little one was sleeping and mom was making cookies so I ventured out to some local lakes to check thickness. I got out to the first lake and walked down to the shore and it was completely capped over, I looked at the northern shore line and saw a portable out, Great!

I got the hand auger out and started drilling, First hole 5 inches, Walked out another ten feet, Drilled, 5 inches, walked out, drilled, 5 inches.....This went on for about 100 Ft. After that it dropped to about 4 inches and stayed that way as far as I went.

Fast forward to Saturday Morning, I got up at sunrise, Packed up the house, And headed out. When I got to the lake I saw a portable and 2 guys making their way across the ice, as well as 1 pop up hut all the way across the lake at the other access. I still checked thickness every 10-15 feet on the way out leaving the shack and gear in the car till I had drilled out to where I wanted to fish. Once there I drilled a set of 10 holes and walked back to shore to get the house and gear.

Once set up I was in 5 foot of water with a lit up vexilar. First drop a ten inch crappie. Second drop a little smaller fish. On the third drop I shut off the vexilar and Started sight fishing, My Favorite way of fishing! This continued for about an hour and 27 fish. It was then that I heard people talking and a few augers running. I had noticed the Ice getting a little Wetter, When I looked around I noticed that I now had about a dozen people fishing around me, I looked down and with the augers running and people moving about on the gin clear Ice the fish had moved off to location unknown. I packed up and headed out.

Not a bad first trip, Just enough to scratch the Itch till we get some more Ice. Right now the temp is sitting right around freezing with a high Of 47 tomorrow.... After the last two day of rain Those of us in this portion of the state are gonna have to wait a little while yet before getting to crazy....
http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g454/Eric_Kruger/2011-12-08163203.jpg

The Ice is near!

Hey Everybody!

Well the best time of the year is upon us Ice heads! The St. Paul Ice Show is this weekend and shortly after We will be walking on water!

I plan on attending the show on friday and checking out some more new stuff. Im hoping to work on getting a few more sponsors for the Panfish league as well as maybe talking with a few companies for possible pro staff positions.

Thanksgiving weekend was a blast had alot of family time as well as some good meals. We opted to stay home instead of shopping on black friday, a first for us in three years. It was kind of boring sitting at home watching everyone post on Facebook and Google + the deals they were finding. I guess Glens outdoors out of Bemidji Mn had the new Frabill suits on sale for 149.99. Thorne Bros had everything in the store except augers and electronics at 10 percent off. The augers and electronics were marked at 5 percent off. Fleet farm had some good deals that I would have liked to get to as well. Tons of great opportunities!

One product I picked up and cant wait to give a full work out is the Trilene 100 percent flourocarbon line. I picked it up in 2 lb, I am looking to replace the mono I have been using. I opted to get the flouro due to its mono like fell and the no stretch factor, I cant wait to try it out.

Well tight lines for now, the ice is near!

10/28/11 WOW Sorry.....I have been neglecting this blog lol!

Ok so were almost at Halloween weekend already, Summer is gone Fall has moved in. Crazy. Well this weekend marks my annual Walleye weekend on an Alexandria area lake. Were heading out Saturday morning in pursuit of big walleyes. Cant wait!  Reports show alot of 25"+ fish being caught as well as some "friends" that have been hitting them really good. Hopefully I will get some pictures up on what will be my last "Soft" water trip.

Now happenings as of late, Got a bunch of tungsten in from Sportsmensdirect.com, Cant beat the prices they offer, as well as the fast shipping. I cannot say enough what a great company they are. Been working on Homework alot so I havent had a whole lot of time to get out fishing, I think I have been out twice in the last month for a total of maybe 4 hours. Hitting local laces from shore,  doesnt leave a whole lot of options for fishing. Now is the time of year I will be starting to write some articles, I plan on doing a few this winter as well as some reviews of new products that I have picked up. I also will be offering a complete line of J&S plastics in a custom EK Custom Rods color, so if your interested let me know!

That's about all for now sorry for the delay in the posts hopefully we get heated up soon on the ice fishing! I'm will also be 100 days smoke free on Halloween, Its been tough but I'm making it! lol

9/10/11 where does time go....

As I sit here I hear birds being shot at in the distance, I am doing some Marketing homework, A person can actually sleep with the window open and wake up with a chill, and there is signs of colors changing in the tree's. Its official, fall is here!

Yesterdays mail brought a box of ice fishing gear from HT for giveaways for the League. Thorne Bros Portable mod GTG is in two weeks. 

Tomorrow is also the ten year anniversary of 9/11 as well so lets take a minute to remember those that fell with the towers that morning....

Tight lines!

8/22/11

Today's Entry is not going to be fishing related. But it is equally important to me, Today marks 30 days of non smoking! I never thought I would make it but I did. It was not easy, Between sunflower seeds and alot of hanging out at home I was able to do it! I also figured out that By not smoking I have freed Up about 180 bucks a month, thats alot of cheddar!

I am so happy today that I am setting a good example as well as filling a promise that I made to little Zoey. Now she can look up at me and say dad you did it! What could be better!

Tight lines!

alright guys and gals! 8/17/11

Heres something neat for this year! HT ENTERPRISES, INC., industry leaders in modern progressive ice tackle design and manufacturers of the original Polar Tip-Up, are pleased to introduce the newest version of their revolutionary and wildly popular Marmooska Jig. These first class, premium ice jigs feature all the unique, still unmatched qualities of the original Marmooska: Off-set head for unsurpassed hooking ability, light wire, small barbed hooks for efficient hooking percentages even when using the lightest rods and lines, plus, these heads are made of Tungsten, a material 70% more dense than lead, so they drop super fast! This provides a tremendous advantage when fishing deep water, fast moving schools or trying to get a small jig down through the ice chips within a freshly drilled hole. You get all the advantages of a small profile jig, but with the added strength of a heavy design that gets down to the depth you want to fish—fast—all while experiencing an outstanding sense of feel!

Marmooska tungsten jigs are available in several different styles, including the original Marmooska design; Marmooska Diamond (original Marmooska design with a light reflecting stone in the front); Marmooska Gem (a geometric shaped head with a flashy, faceted stone in the center; Marmooska Fly (a tungsten based hackled design with uncanny resemblance to an aquatic invertebrate); and the Marmooska Dancer a completely new and revolutionary design with a gold, silver or black bullet shaped tungsten body and a tiny, #16 colored epoxy treble hook dropper—a deadly new design. All the other models are available with your choice of #10, #12 or #14 hooks, and in HT’s most popular colors.

were also starting to hear rumor of the new jiffy 4g a new four stroke they have added to the lineup. Seems like a good match with them introducing the propane auger last year as well. Both will offer another great option to ice fisherman with perm houses, or just poeple who dont want the trouble of having mixed gas around.

8/14/11 Already....

Wow I cant believe I havent had time to get an update on here! I got the package from Microspoons and was impressed With what I got. On a hunch I am going to say the samples I got are on the big side for ice fishing, but once the time comes I am going to give them a try. Word is out all over the net now about the new Otter houses as well as pictures! Cant wait for the Ice show in St paul to pick one up!

Been busy In the rod shop taking orders, Sent out a few 14" Rods to Team Hardwater Fanatics in Wisconsin and they absolutely loved there rods. This team is sponsored by EK Custom rods and Will be an up and coming team to watch On the WIFL, as well as NAIFC circuits this winter.  What else.....

I have been hard at work trying to get new Logo's for this year. I am hoping to Be able to get some hats. Long sleeved tee's, and hoodie's Available for Order to customers. Also trying to set up an online store front to make it easier for customers to Order any Of the three production rods. Will also be trying to get some of my favorite gear available through that storefront as soon as I get enough traffic.

I have also been working on finding Sponsor's for the new South Metro Panfish League we are putting together . Very simple format Ice league for guys around the area. Great payout for a little saturday series. We already have HT fishing as well as Rose Creek on board for sponsors and Giveaways.

Thorne bros Annual Portable Mod Get to gether is a little over a month away. This event Is a great way to kick off your Ice season. Alot of info floats around that place, as well alot of giveaways and discounts. New Products are normally on hand for demo as well as reps from companies.

Not much of a fishing report lately been out twice and its been the same old same old. Did hook into some nice bull gills shallow a few days back.

Thats all for now...tight lines!

7/29/11

Hey guys, So I got an email from Micro Spoons that they would ship me out some freebies to try but its been a week or so and nothing. I will keep on them to see if I can get them soon to give a full review. Other than that this week was Not a busy week but a good one for the ice fishing world.

Lindy fishing tackle introduced the new ice tackle lineup which includes 6 new colors for most of the jigs as well as two new jigs, the toad, and lindy bug. Right away I can see a bunch of reasons why I personally would use the toad, its a heavy jig with a small profile. I plan to pick up a few in the next week or so and will post what I think of them when I get them in hand. The six new colors is something I have been waiting for, for a long lime with the fatboy and Iceworm. My favorite jigs in the box and Now with the new colors they will provide even more options! Nice Line up lindy!

As of today there is supposed to be some details floating around the web on the new otter houses. Im still not sure what the new line up will be but as soon as I find out some details I will let you guys know.

Strikemaster released video of the new Big volt auger, an electric auger with a 10 inch bit for use in perms.

I also found a video Online that Custom jigs and spins is adding some tungsten options to the lineup. they are not on the site yet but I will see if I can dig up some info for you guys!

Sportsmensdirect.com also updated there inventory with a limited supply of the Heavy metal Epoxy Jigs. These sold out super fast last year so If your in need get them ordered now!


Well Thats it for today unless I find out more about the otters! See you guys later and tight lines!

7/23/11

Hey guys,
Three days since my last entry and I have done no fishing still. We got hit by a heat wave that was absolutly brutal to be out in last week and I have had zero energy since starting the no smoking thing. Spent the rest of last week just soaking in the A/C and getting plans together for the ice season. I also spent the most part of this morning rigging all my ice rods with Schooley reels. I decided to keep two of my perch/ walleye rods spinning reels on, but all of my pan-fish rods are now schooley rods. I tried running a few fly reels last year but they just didn't do it for me. Seemed like it made more sense for me to switch to the schooleys based on price alone I can get 20 of the plastic schooley's for the same price as one of the Okuma SLV's I ran last year, And get the overall same result. The result being the no line twist that the larger arbor of these type of reels provides as well as a 1:1 ratio and still maintain close to the same retrieve rate as the spinning gear.
After posting about the micro spoons plastics I looked at the site and was able to earn some free samples. They should have been sent out yesterday so look for them in future posts as well as a review once I get my hands on them!

Micro spoons Luv Nub

Found these plastics while bumming around facebook this afternoon. These look like quality baits! My plan is to order a bunch and see If the fish like them through the ice. They seem to have good color selection as well as a few different models. Cant wait!

More on the LX7

Sorry I havent wrote anything for a few days and I know I said I would be blogging daily, but I have been working at quitting smoking for the last three days and have been just taking it easy getting used to not having something hanging from my lip.....

Anyway......Marcum released an awesome video and a 699 MSRP on the LX7 so enjoy and thats it for today...

7/16/11

Holy crap is it warm out! And according to the weather man its supposed to be even warmer tomorrow. Not sure what I will be up to but if its anything like today, odds are you will find me sitting on the couch lol. Today I spent most of the day hanging out at my moms house. I decided to mow her lawn for her and man can you say HOT! It took a little over 45 minutes to mow and bag the whole yard, by the time I was done all I could think in my head was ICE FISHING. I long for 14 hour days on the ice. Is it winter yet!

Great News for EK Custom Rods! 7/15/11

As of today we are a Sponsor For Team Hardwater Maniacs, Ray and Many run a two person team competing in Naifc, and WIFC circuits. Ray had emailed me about building him a sight rod and things went from there to Us being a sponsor! We are excited and cannot wait to get going! Keep a look out on the ice for these guys as they will be in the running with the top competitors!

7/14/11 Nanofil.....

So to start, I know I didnt get time to post a writeup on anything last night, I ended up going to the Emergency Room from chest pains I had been having since late into the night Tuesday. I figured it had been almost 24 hours I better get it checked out. Nothing serious.

Now Onto today's write up, Yesterday in the morning I drove to my local Cabelas to pick up this new Nanofil line. I picked up a spool of the 2 lb and was on my way. To start, the package is cool the blister that the line is actually in spins to open it giving you the option to store your line in its original package. This is great for guys like me who use a mono backer and then tie on the mainline of fresh line every few months. After getting it out of the package I started trying to practice tying the albright as well as the nanofil knot before I put it on the reel. Both worked great, but I did have each break upon tightening a few times. After I figured out a way to get the knot to hold without breaking I was set. I filled two reels with it and will see how it performs after a few times out and will write up more then.

Update: with Icast upon us more details have been leaking out with Marcums new sonar the LX-7, It claims to have 1/2" target separation, unlimited custom screens to use, and can be used as a summer graph for open water use over the traditional winter flasher only units. It has an 8 inch LCD screen with heater so no worries about the screen freezing. Still waiting to see what the price is gonna be.

Really Itching!

I started a new facebook page for the rod biz on tuesday so if your on facebook and not a friend search out EK Custom rods and check it out. Was shocked today to be getting orders for Ice rods in July lol I guess im not the only one who is obsessed with Ice fishing! lol

well...

Todays post isnt fishing related. Today I spent most of the day just trying to deal with having a two year old! Starting from the get go I knew it was gonna be a bad day, I woke up to Zoey yelling Daddy, Daddy, I'm over here, I taking a bath. Lol From then until now it has been non stop in your face crazy kid all day. Everything Mindy and I would tell her it was No, I dont want that, And stop. Although days like today are crazy the only thing I can think in the back of my head is It's only a Phase and you love her lol.
The odd part is, as you all may have gathered by now, I am a stay at home dad. I stay home with her every day. Due to Mindy's work schedule some days she is off at 2:30, and others it can be as late as 11:00 PM. On normal days with dad she is pretty decent, but when mom is home its Party Time! Not sure if its the fact that she has figured out how to play us against eachother or if she just misses her mom that much. Either way days like today make me think of winter time when I can take her down to grandmas during the day and hit the ice. If I owned a boat I think it would be a different story in the summer.  So to all you parents out there experiencing the Terrible Two's I feel for ya! Tight lines

Lack of knowledge or force of habit 07/10/11

Tonight we headed over to the In-laws to visit. I had spoken with Mindy's dad earlier in the day and he was looking for a few new reels to buy. Being in the position I am I had a few to sell him so we agreed and that was that. After getting there and showing him the reels he wanted one of the old spincast reels I had laying around, Claimed to prefer them over the New spinning or Baitcasters. Now this got me thinking, I know the spincast reels Can cast a country mile but they leave a ton of features to be desired when it comes to drag smoothness as well as Power. I just cant figure it out, Im a die hard spinning reel guy, never got the hang of the baitcasting reels. I feel like they have the best "feel" when it comes to line control and feeling bites as well as bottom content. I also like the fact that I can tap the line with my finger when it comes to a finicky bite.

Now his side, When I asked him why he liked them he looked up at me, smiled and said "its easier". I kindly replied "because its so much work to Flip open a bail and hang the line on your finger when casting". He is a child of the 60's and I am wondering if he just never made the switch up to the newer style of reels over the years. Lets face it there is a reason for the saying "this isn't your dads old reel". I for one can say as long as I get to log some time in the book while He is still out casting me with the spincast reel I guess I am fine with that! But I Still dont get it!

One Of the reels I sold him.

the reels I use.

Summer time Blues 7/9/11

So I just got done watching the weather and they claim today is supposed to be muggy and hot again, along with a few storms at one point or another. This Sucks! Anyone that knows me or talks to me knows that my life revolves around Ice fishing. I do fish the open water a bit but I just dont get into it like I do on the winter. Im not sure if its the solitude of sitting in a one man shack listening to the hum of the buddy heater, Or if its the hours of staring at the flasher dial catching red lines, But something is just nicer about ice fishing! So far this summer Per Mindy's Request I have not bought as much ice gear as I have in previous years, But come fall its on! I have picked up a couple Thorne Bros rods, Some of the new Berkley Nanofil, and another flasher for Mindy to use when she comes with. But so far I have just been waiting patiently, watching the new stuff slowly roll out for next season. Here are some things worth noting.

First up is what has been creating the most buzz so far in the circle of people I talk to. Marcum has introduced a new Model dubbed the LX-7, At first from the picture I was so generously provided about a month before they started showing up on the net, I was not impressed. But the more and more I hear about it, and the more and more they release about it the more I am interested. I hear it will fetch a pretty high price tag but if it has all the features they claim then it should be well worth the money.

Next up is another Company that sets the bar, Otter outdoors has a new line of houses coming out. Although It will be august before we hear anything or get to see pictures, I am happy to say that I will be looking into them. I have used every brand of house on the market and although right now I run a 1 Man Clam Scout I prefer an otter when it comes to anything bigger. The quality is un matched when it comes to the tubs, they have a ton of different options as far as organizing the inside, including bench seating or captain seats with an optional sportsmans caddy between them. Also in my opinion they have the simplest most thought out rod holders available, they can be left on the unit and just folded into the bracket when a move is in order. The canvas is also in my opinion the best canvas you can get, I always see clams tore up and stained but not to often do you see an otter with its seams blown out.

For me these two things are at the top of my list to check out this fall, I have heard rumor of a new rod from Thorne bros, Some new designs from J&S, and from what I hear a new auger from Strikemaster for the Perm guys. Tight lines!

Plastics On Ice!

One of the major things that has made my life on the ice easier is Artificials. Over the last 7 years or so more and more companies are adding plastics to the line up. I know everyone has most likely heard of the Little atom stuff, as well as the Berkley Gulp Alive products, But theres a ton of little companies that make amazing artificial baits!

Head on over to Sportsmensdirect.com and be sure to check out the soft plastics section, Once there you will find the J&S custom jigs line of plastics. This plastics was my go to on the ice over the winter of 2010-2011. Being relatively New. Jeremy (Owner of J&S) has created some really hard to beat Plastics for the Diehard Ice guy as well as the open water fisherman. I was able to get some samples of the first four models he had. The Icemite & Icemite Jr., as well as the Paddlebug & Paddlebug Jr. right after he introduced them and was amazed by the instant success I had when using them! He has since Introduced the Icemite Magnum, And the Gojo. All of these are amazing and worth checking out!

Next on the list head over to Google and search out Maki Plastics, They are a small company Out of NY and One of the first companies That I ordered from. All the stuff they make is scented, as well as very durable. Some of my Favorites have been the Maki, Mousi, Spiiki, Guppi, And Buggi.

http://maki-plastic.com/

Another Company worth noting is KJB Plastics(Pictured Above). They have a ton of models and are a sure bet if neither of the previous mentioned companies work. I use many of them but Prefer the Spurn, Tri tail, XS, And Sm-Bwt the most. They provide the customer with an amazing selection of colors in bleed and non bleed. I like to take a color or two of the colors that bleed and throw them in a bag together to see what kind of off the wall color I can create!

http://www.kjbplastics.com/joomla/

Again I am not saying that the Big company Plastics do not work, If I said that I would be lying. A ton of my fish have come from Micro nuggies (Little Atom). I Just wanted to share some of the gem's I have been able to find around the net!

Day 1 7/8/11 An Intro to who I am.

Wow. My first entry in my blog. I am looking forward to the chance to write down and share with the world my experiences in the fishing world as well as life. This blog will mainly follow me throughout the year with articles on what I know about fishing, as well as some life story's that come with being an at home dad.  Welcome to outdoors with EK!

Now a little history, I am a family man from Southern Minnesota. I was raised around the Owatonna area and have had a passion for the outdoors as long as I can remember. I can think back and clearly remember going fishing with dad at a young age from summer in the lund to winter in the plywood sided, blue tarp covered Ice house. Many times I think back on these thoughts and am thankful for what my father did to get me involved in the outdoors, and I am happy that that passion will be installed in my child (children) as they grow up. As Part of this Blog I am also Planning on starting an annual Ice camp for kids around the area, so that they can get involved in the great outdoors.

I Currently reside in New Prague, Minnesota. About 20 minutes from the metro with my Fiance Mindy, and my amazing little girl Zoey. At 26 I am a Full-Time College student at South Central College in Faribault and am studying Business Management. I run a small Rod building and jig making company from home and also stay at home and take care of my daughter while her mother works full time.