Fish-Hawk.Net

First day out with the boat this year. It was a beautiful morning here but by the time I got on the water things cooled off and clouded up and the wind picked up.

Pike fishing in the 1000 Islands sure isn't what it used to be. At one time catches of 20+ fish per day were common. The islands have never had huge pike but a good average size. Most fish ran 4-8 lbs but a guy could fish a lifetime and only catch a few the bested 10 lbs.

The average size is down and where once they were thick bodied now they're thin. Today I caught about 10. Nothing like it once was. Highlight of the day was finding a massive school of 1-2 lb largemouth. At first I thought it was walleye where it was, turned the fishfinder black and made the alarm really chirp.

Here's one of the pike I caught. Notice the bucktail, best spring pike lure down here.

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If you see me at the ramp say hi.

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Hey ganman,

nice fish and good report.

I'm wondering about the bucktail jig. I'm heading up north in a few weeks and heard it's a good lure. what is the "technique" to fishing with them?

thanks & cheers,
tallpaul

Hey ganman,
Nice pike!! I hope to get out on Charleston this weekend for the pike opener. Do you use just a bucktail jig or do you tip it with a minnow?? I haven't tried too many bucktail jigs for pike but maybe I'll give them a try.

I tie up most of the jigs I use. I use the longest bucktail I can find. I like 2 colour jigs. The size I use most often is 3/8 oz with 10-12 lb line but sometimes go down to 1/4 oz. I don't tip it with bait but often attach a 4"-6" twistertail. Don't thread it on, just hook it once like a minnow it'll last a suprisingly long time that way. I fish it around rocks/weeds, sharp drops. Throw it shallow and let it fall into the dark water. On weedflats I use a #4 or 5 Mepps.

Hey ganman,

Nice photo of the pike and jig combo. Thanks for the report and its good to see that you are getting some time in on the water.

Fox

Hi Ganman:

We used to use 3/8 - 1/2 oz bucktail around Maitland down to Johnstown, longer the better, black and white or white.

It was sort of arm exercise; end of the day the jigs and the pike would have you rubber armed.

If you made 20 casts and didn't get 10 hits it was a bad day.

Sorry to see its gone downhill.

That musky die off is a tragedy.

Don't think I'd be eating a whole lot from the Larry any more.

Glad to see your spring trout fishing is paying off.

Regards: Jigs

Another interesting and informative report, ganman. Thx. I'm going to have to give the bucktail jig a go for pike, as well. Will bring a few of these "ganman type specials" along when we have a few days on Charleston later this month. I remember a few of your tips last year paid off for me.

Keep these fun posts coming...

W.

great stuff... gatta love the pike... few weeks illb e on silver lake doiun the same thing.... i think ill be tryN me some buck tails....

great report

jebby

Ganman, nice! Where were ya fishin? How is da Larry these days, been a long time for me! Don't forget I'll be at Griffin's from da 26th til da 30th, stop by and say hello, Joe.

nice fish man, my opener is this wknd

ganman

I'm heading to TI one week from today? How much does water temperature factor into where/how deep you fish?