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My son-in-law and I decided to hit Big Rideau today. Bad decision -- wind and waves made trolling in my 14' boat an exercise in frustration. Surface water temp around 12 degrees C. Marked fish at all depths with no recognizable pattern. Tried dragging the balls deep and shallow with various offerings, but no Lakers wanted to play.
Did get two clean releases, however, with the ball at 30 feet -- both on spoons. Fish on! What?? Snakes!! I've caught Walleye and Bass on a rigger, but never caught Pike on a down-rigger in open water at 30 feet before. Now two in one day. Anyone else ever had that experience?
We hung in for five hours and got off the water at 13h30, wet, tired and frustrated. Gonna try again on the weekend if the weather is as promised.
When I was 10, I reeled in a 15lbs pike from a depth of about 50 feet on Lake Superior. I have no idea what it was doing down there, and surprised the hell out me especially when we were targetting white fish.
I have also caught a few pike and smallies off the riggers @ 30 to 40 feet down.
My biggest smallies have been @ those depths. The pike are usually long and skinny (snakes).
One day we were fishing Muskrat trying hard for those elusive lakers. I was using a 3-way swivel with a 2-Oz weight to get it down followed by a spoon of some sort. I got a hit so I thought finally its laker time on this lake but to my surprise I hauled up a fairly hefty catfish. Maybe not a big surprise it was at that depth but to hit a spoon?!? You just never know what's coming up to the boat!
almontefisher,
I dont't know if its environmental, maybe, but I have heard of this kind of thing happening from lots of the old guys who fish trout too, years ago. I might think it has to do with fish pike smallies chasing food. Especially in lakes where there is herring etc.
orrsey
I was on Muskrat Lake last weekend looking for the illusive laker in 90ft ball at 40ft with a gang troll and small spoon 2ft back. the rig released and I said finally Trout!!! NOT!! 1.6 LBS Pike .I guess you never know. I will keep trying..
The wife and I were on Sharbot lake many years ago camping and fishing for lakers. Caught a 9-10lb pike down 72ft............thought I had a dandy trout on for a while.
we troll the centre of the St.Lawrence at about 35 ft and catch smallies and pike all the time. That's all we do when we are on the St.Lawrence. Works like a charm.
