Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Got out on the water for a few hours on Saturday evening and Sunday morning at Shirley's Bay. I knew it was going to be productive fishing because there was rain forecasted (pre-cold front conditions). Decided to fish a few hours before the storms hit, and it was some of the best fishing I've ever had!
The evening started with a few pike and bass on a topwater spook, but soon a thunderstorm started rolling in the distance. Since my motorized canoe doesn't go faster than walking pace, we had no chance of outrunning the storm. Instead, we took shelter on shore in a nearby forest. After the rain, the water was more stained, so I decided to switch to a hot pink X-rap just for kicks. Very soon, I caught a nice channel cat on it. Thinking it was a fluke, I kept casting, but it wasn't long until I caught 2 more! Perhaps this was a pattern...hmmm
On the same jerkbait, I caught my first walleye of the season. Again it was a tad large, so it was released quickly =)
The next day, I decided to hit the same spot again, and I caught a whole assortment of species:
Funny enough, I was trying to catch walleye on an 1/8th ounce jig and grub. However, I ended up catching everything but walleye! Even the 20lb carp took the 1/8th ounce jig. We landed over 10 pike in a few hours before the sun came up, and we found that the key to enticing strikes was really aggressive rip jigging! Perhaps downsizing had an effect too, who knows!
If there's one thing I've learned, it's that there's no finite rule to fishing. Even the wackiest of presentations can be deadly!
PS: In both these outings I was looking for walleye, but since a newbie at walleye fishing, I had no idea what to try and where to look. If anyone has any spots (don't need to be specific) or general tips on catching walleye during this time of year and during the summer, I'd appreciate hearing them!
The evening started with a few pike and bass on a topwater spook, but soon a thunderstorm started rolling in the distance. Since my motorized canoe doesn't go faster than walking pace, we had no chance of outrunning the storm. Instead, we took shelter on shore in a nearby forest. After the rain, the water was more stained, so I decided to switch to a hot pink X-rap just for kicks. Very soon, I caught a nice channel cat on it. Thinking it was a fluke, I kept casting, but it wasn't long until I caught 2 more! Perhaps this was a pattern...hmmm
On the same jerkbait, I caught my first walleye of the season. Again it was a tad large, so it was released quickly =)
The next day, I decided to hit the same spot again, and I caught a whole assortment of species:
Funny enough, I was trying to catch walleye on an 1/8th ounce jig and grub. However, I ended up catching everything but walleye! Even the 20lb carp took the 1/8th ounce jig. We landed over 10 pike in a few hours before the sun came up, and we found that the key to enticing strikes was really aggressive rip jigging! Perhaps downsizing had an effect too, who knows!
If there's one thing I've learned, it's that there's no finite rule to fishing. Even the wackiest of presentations can be deadly!
PS: In both these outings I was looking for walleye, but since a newbie at walleye fishing, I had no idea what to try and where to look. If anyone has any spots (don't need to be specific) or general tips on catching walleye during this time of year and during the summer, I'd appreciate hearing them!
Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Good fishing multi species report!!
Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Congrats on some great fish. Great pics and write up
Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Carp on a jig and catfish on a crank !? Awesome, you should have bought a lottery ticket on the way home.
Nice fishing! Nice fish!! What a mix.
Nice fishing! Nice fish!! What a mix.
Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Great catches!
Rod
Were you catching those Pike in the dark?kliven wrote:We landed over 10 pike in a few hours before the sun came up, and we found that the key to enticing strikes was really aggressive rip jigging! Perhaps downsizing had an effect too, who knows!
Rod
Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
That sunnie is a beast!
Love your canoe and trolling motor. Next summer I hope to have a similar set up. Tho I'd like to see about getting a pedal style motor so I can fish while putting around.
Love your canoe and trolling motor. Next summer I hope to have a similar set up. Tho I'd like to see about getting a pedal style motor so I can fish while putting around.
- Walleye'm Fishing
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- Location: Casting..................... in your NOT SO SECRET spot.
Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Way to go dude, fantastic fishing for ya!
Walleye'm fishing, you're sleeping.
Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Sorry, I should have been more clear - the sun was obscured by clouds until about 9:30am. After that, it was really sunny and the bite turnes off!Peron wrote:Great catches!
Were you catching those Pike in the dark?kliven wrote:We landed over 10 pike in a few hours before the sun came up, and we found that the key to enticing strikes was really aggressive rip jigging! Perhaps downsizing had an effect too, who knows!
Rod
Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
That is one hell of a slayfest.
The Ottawa area has so much to offer whether you'really on shore, a boat, or canoe..
Looks like you've got that canoe rigged up properly.
Good fishing again.
The Ottawa area has so much to offer whether you'really on shore, a boat, or canoe..
Looks like you've got that canoe rigged up properly.
Good fishing again.
MEAT - Grind it, stuff it, smoke it.
- Fishoholic
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Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Awesome fishin man! Gotta love those mixed bags Shirley's can cough up. Never know what's on the end of your line out there, love it! Keep on keeping on!
- lapointeric
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Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Look at those multi-species! Well done. Nice lookin' eye!
E
E
Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Great multi species outing. Nice work. I am surprised the carp went for the jig that's crazy.
Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Wow very nice!! Wonder what would you do if you had a faster bigger boat!
- ShawnD
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Re: Pre-frontal Bonanaza!
Awesome fishing report!
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