Had a great weekend fishing the favorite lake. Friday night something ripped the front treble hook off the lure while I was attempting to reel it in. Suddenly the line went slack and reeled up a lure missing the hook. Hmmm. So last night went back after whatever it was, most likely a big pike. Had a great night catching 2 smaller pike, several perch and then came the big hit. On the way toward the launch in pitch dark this dandy largemouth hit. What a fun ending to a fun night.
Same lake, the gem of a walleye, 3lb smallmouth bass, 2 largemouth and a little rockbass. It was a great night.
This 20" walleye is an expensive restaurant dinner:
The terrible pic (hey, it's night and the fish wants the water ) of a great fighting 3lb smallmouth bass. Love to hook these!
Cardinal TT (08-20-2022), fuego (08-20-2022)
FireBrand (08-20-2022)
That old saying "the big one got away" is said for a reason. Especially when you see the fish. Couple nights ago I was anchored in 10' over "cabbage" weeds, a favorite hangout for big pike. I'm casting a white spinner that pike are hitting right now. Something hit it and ran, typical of a smallmouth bass. Fought hard not wanting to come in, peeling drag making my braided line and reel sing a lovely song. The line went slack. Uh-oh. Here comes the jump. I have never had a big pike jump like this. She went ballistic 2ft out of the water in a huge spray shaking her head frantically trying to lose the hook. And it worked. My spinnerbait was returned to me in a grand "no thanx buddy, not tonight".
I got a good look at my personal best northern pike...swim away. Spectacular jump. My conservative guess is 32-36".
fuego (08-24-2022), GodismyJudge (08-24-2022)
Back out tonight. We were on the edge of a cold front moving in and causing storms and windy conditions. Tonight it calmed down and 5 boats took to the lake to fish it. I wasn't off the dock for 5 minutes and had a pike hammer the lure. Even the smaller 22" pike hit violent enough to break a hook off the split ring. Happened again tonight.
Here is the smaller of the two at 22"
This longer one was remarkably skinny. The head was so out of proportion to the slender body I hurried to grab the net thinking it was 30"+. Nopers, just the skinniest pike I ever saw.
Only fish on the night but what a battle it gave me.
fuego (09-07-2022)
Yesterday afternoon I put the little boat in so I can run sonar on the close and steep dropoffs. As suspected the 9ft to 50ft dropoff held big fish, solid and big marks on the screen. No bites, went in for dinner and decided to head out after. Welp, nuttin' showing. Unreal how they were there and now they aren't. Thats fishing the big lake Charlevoix.
fuego (09-13-2022)