Post by greybeard on Jun 19, 2019 8:21:34 GMT -5
As I left my driveway at 2:30 in the morning I could barely see the full moon. We hoped it had been cloudy enough so we could find a few hungry fish early in the day. We started in 85 feet of water straight out of the north gap and wiggled our way southeast finding 49° water on the surface and 48° water down 40. There were a number of boats out before we got there but not surprising when there are such good reports of big fish.
It was not a fast and furious early morning but we were picking away at them getting early bites on Hot Tamale Brad and 6 inch red/gold Big Al fish flash on a flat line and shallow Dipsy 25 LOC and two color Brad’s Seahawk and 6 inch silver big Al fish flash. The 150 copper with regular size Blue Knight took off followed shortly by 70 foot rigger white flasher green/glow fly with a real screamer. Then the shallow Dipsy went again so a triple. We got them all in including the 24 pound personal best king for Steve.
We continue to work north-south finding quite a strong current out of the north. Hard to explain what happened but at one point my 70 foot and 55 foot riggers with identical weights that are separated by 7-8’ crossed. That was quite the experience having to shut off the kicker, hang over the back of the big engine with someone hanging onto my leg so I could untangle. We worked about 115-125 feet of water for our best action seeing lots of bait and lots of hooks. Best performers were that shallow Dipsy going 3/5 and that 70 foot rigger taking three fish. Spotted cow with White glow tape Spin Doctor took two nice fish off the other wire Dipsy out 70 feet on a 1.5 set.
Ended 12 for 13 with six drive-bys. Six kings, one lake trout, three Coho and two bows. Speed that the ball on the DRx-10 2.6-2.9 sometimes requiring speeds 3.2-3.3 GPS on our south troll. I guess I made a believer out of my friend Steve that sometimes speed kills. Felt really blessed to have such a good bite on a full moon.
Returned the following day to beautiful flat seas and a gorgeous sunrise but not long after a long lingering thick fog. I worked the same waypoints from Monday making my screen look like it’s etch a sketch for big boys. I was really concerned about how we would do with a full moon and clear sky. I had along a friend with his twin granddaughters. Craig joined me to help work the lines and ran 14 of them. It must have helped because we were blessed with more bites then most of my friends on the Marine band.
Again not a fast and furious start but we pecked away at them all morning. The girls did a fabulous job of listening and bringing the fish in. I find it is always easier to get girls to listen and follow instruction versus musky fisherman who always want to set the hook. Best performer was again the deep rigor with a white blade but this time with LED light and green/glow fly down either 70 or 80 feet taking five fish. Two dandy rainbows came on mono board 80’ back with red/blk Thin Fish. 150 copper with regular size blue night has worked the last three trips for a couple of fish. Late morning Craig put out a five color because the shallow presentations were not producing. We put on a Mountain Dew/orange OPTI Inticer with chartreuse fly with spin and glo, a go to setup this time of year. It fired right away so put the same thing on a four color taking two more nice Coho. Late morning the wire Dipsy with the same set up as the deep rigger had a hit I didn’t see but heard. Sounded like something hit the boat. Craig said it took the end of the pole into the water but was gone because it broke the ball bearing swivel! Yes broken not opened. Never had that happen before. Foolishly did not have a snubber on that set up.
Ended with 15 for 17, two kings both naturals vs the day before when 4 of 6 were plants, three lake trout, three rainbows and seven Coho. We worked the same speeds on the Depth Raider as the day before. Sounded like we were having better luck than others in our area and two friends in frustration blasted out to 220 feet of water despite the fog. They were both rewarded with 8 to 10 fish and one with an18# and the other a 21# king. Pete deserved to be rewarded because I think he took three on a 600 copper. You won’t find that setup in my boat!
Grey Beard
It was not a fast and furious early morning but we were picking away at them getting early bites on Hot Tamale Brad and 6 inch red/gold Big Al fish flash on a flat line and shallow Dipsy 25 LOC and two color Brad’s Seahawk and 6 inch silver big Al fish flash. The 150 copper with regular size Blue Knight took off followed shortly by 70 foot rigger white flasher green/glow fly with a real screamer. Then the shallow Dipsy went again so a triple. We got them all in including the 24 pound personal best king for Steve.
We continue to work north-south finding quite a strong current out of the north. Hard to explain what happened but at one point my 70 foot and 55 foot riggers with identical weights that are separated by 7-8’ crossed. That was quite the experience having to shut off the kicker, hang over the back of the big engine with someone hanging onto my leg so I could untangle. We worked about 115-125 feet of water for our best action seeing lots of bait and lots of hooks. Best performers were that shallow Dipsy going 3/5 and that 70 foot rigger taking three fish. Spotted cow with White glow tape Spin Doctor took two nice fish off the other wire Dipsy out 70 feet on a 1.5 set.
Ended 12 for 13 with six drive-bys. Six kings, one lake trout, three Coho and two bows. Speed that the ball on the DRx-10 2.6-2.9 sometimes requiring speeds 3.2-3.3 GPS on our south troll. I guess I made a believer out of my friend Steve that sometimes speed kills. Felt really blessed to have such a good bite on a full moon.
Returned the following day to beautiful flat seas and a gorgeous sunrise but not long after a long lingering thick fog. I worked the same waypoints from Monday making my screen look like it’s etch a sketch for big boys. I was really concerned about how we would do with a full moon and clear sky. I had along a friend with his twin granddaughters. Craig joined me to help work the lines and ran 14 of them. It must have helped because we were blessed with more bites then most of my friends on the Marine band.
Again not a fast and furious start but we pecked away at them all morning. The girls did a fabulous job of listening and bringing the fish in. I find it is always easier to get girls to listen and follow instruction versus musky fisherman who always want to set the hook. Best performer was again the deep rigor with a white blade but this time with LED light and green/glow fly down either 70 or 80 feet taking five fish. Two dandy rainbows came on mono board 80’ back with red/blk Thin Fish. 150 copper with regular size blue night has worked the last three trips for a couple of fish. Late morning Craig put out a five color because the shallow presentations were not producing. We put on a Mountain Dew/orange OPTI Inticer with chartreuse fly with spin and glo, a go to setup this time of year. It fired right away so put the same thing on a four color taking two more nice Coho. Late morning the wire Dipsy with the same set up as the deep rigger had a hit I didn’t see but heard. Sounded like something hit the boat. Craig said it took the end of the pole into the water but was gone because it broke the ball bearing swivel! Yes broken not opened. Never had that happen before. Foolishly did not have a snubber on that set up.
Ended with 15 for 17, two kings both naturals vs the day before when 4 of 6 were plants, three lake trout, three rainbows and seven Coho. We worked the same speeds on the Depth Raider as the day before. Sounded like we were having better luck than others in our area and two friends in frustration blasted out to 220 feet of water despite the fog. They were both rewarded with 8 to 10 fish and one with an18# and the other a 21# king. Pete deserved to be rewarded because I think he took three on a 600 copper. You won’t find that setup in my boat!
Grey Beard
