Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Catfish Tackle

During the summer, I like to cat fish at night.  A simple lazy type of fishing that sees long periods of  inactivity punctuated with moments excitement or frustration. (I'm looking at you Mr. Snapping Turtle)

The way I like to set my rig up for cat fishing is pretty simple.
  1. 30 pound Power Pro Braided Line
  2. 1/2 ounce bell sinker on the main line
  3. 9 inch steel leader tied to the braid allowing the sinker to slide freely
  4. Gamakatsu circle hook size 6 
  5.  Big chunk of beef liver on the hook (preferably liver that has been sitting in the sun all day) 

This rig keeps the bait close to the bottom, but allows it to move around in the current and leaves it accessible to the catfish.

I've had better success with fresh liver rather than frozen and thawed. I will usually attach a glow braclet to my rod for easier viewing. (See previous post)


I put together a cat fish bag, so I can head out the door any time the opportunity arrises. Here's what I carry cat fishing.

  • Uglystik 6'6"
  • Inexpensive reel
  • Camp chair
  • Bug Spray (do not forget this, or you will be miserable)
  • Baby wipes for cleaning hands after the raw liver
  • Flashlight
  • Headlamp
  • Tackle for my rigs (on an average night I might lose one or two)
  • Raw Liver
  • Pliers for hook removal
  • Glove for cat fish handling
  • Rod holder
  • Bag for garbage

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Night Fishing

One of my favourite times to fish is at night.  It’s cooler, quieter and with out the other distractions you can really concentrate on the feel of the fishing. It is very relaxing.


As my friend Derek points out “why buy a sensitive rod if you’re just going to put it on a rod holder and watch it?” To some extent he’s right, I do like putting the rod aside and watching it. At night that becomes difficult. Once night while fishing out at Port Bruce a regular there and I struck up a conversation. He showed me a way of illuminated the rod tip cheaply for night fishing. You take a dollar store kids glow bracelet and use black electrical tape to secure it to the top side of your rod.  It give you illumination on the top 8” of the rod without interfering with the line. It does decrease tip sensitivity, but with you’re perching or catfishing at night, it really doesn’t matter much.


Glow stick on rod tip



You can usually get them in packs of 6 - 10 for a dollar and they last 4-5 hours each. I stocked up last when a store had them on sale. An additional bonus, is they are fun for kids to use on their rods too.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Elusive Lure

So, the 2010 Spring Fishing and Boat Show was big for me. Dave Mercer took the stage and sold me quite a few things. One of the items he sold me on was the Storm Kickin' Stick lure.

Here's the idea behind the SKS: reel it in briskly, it acts like a decent swimbait. Stop reeling suddenly and push your rod forward, creating slack line, and the lure 'kicks' around 180 degrees. Now that's exciting! You see, despite being an adept predator, fish are inately lazy. They don't want to chase some five inch minnow ten meters just to score a meal. Instead, they wait for something to float down the current, and snag it enroute--a technique important to fly fishing.

With the Kickin' Stick, we get to falsely appeal to their predatory instinct. We have a fleeting fish that suddenly stops, thus triggering a bite. I've seen Dave run crank bait through his demonstration fishing tank and the fish chase it, but don't bite. With the kicking action, the lazy fish might bite on.

And best of all: it works! I was up in Huntsville last year with my shiny new five inch Perch Kickin' Stick and running it as above (brisk reel... stop. brisk reel... stop. brisk reel... stop). And I was getting results. Of the three guys in the boat, I caught three fish, another caught one and the last got shut out. The Kickin' Stick works, and despite Dave's suggestion that we don't rely on a favorite lure, the Kickin' Stick is by far my favorite lure.

Now, that brings me to two things: 1) my current stock of this elusive lure, and 2) the availability of this elusive lure. You see, in advance of the Huntsville trip last year I decided to snag a couple SKS's. So I called around to my local shops and received bereft responses of unavailability, and generally a lack of knowledge of this effective lure. Undetered, I google'd around for a tackle shop enroute to Huntsville and called them. He said his Storm dealer was due in a couple days, and he'd see what he could do for me. Turned out, he could get a Perch color and a Blue Shad. I took two of each (one of each for me, one of each for my brother-in-law).

That led to the above fishing trip, and the successful first run. I even caught a six inch Largemouth Bass on it! Six inches! That's only one inch longer than the lure itself! Now that's an aggressive fish.

Today, the SKS is still hard-to-find. Ebay has maybe half-a-dozen vendors with it--and even then generally not in the perch colouring, which is my preference as the Blue Shad didn't yield the same results. Bass Pro Shops lists all the colors except Perch, as does Cabella's.

Some hope lies with a small tackle shop nestled in the back of a convenience store over by the local library, hopefully I can get a few there before the spring.

Made even more imperative, is the fact that during the Huntsville trip, I lost my Perch SKS, but that, my friend, is a story for another time, one that includes a great customer service tale.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Spring Fishing and Boat Show

I had a great time today at the Spring Fishing and Boat Show with Derek.  We saw lots of cool stuff and the Dave Mercer talk was entertaining as always. He was mentioning research and practice as the two most important aspects of becoming a better angler. It was refreshing to hear that over, buy this new expensive piece of equipment. Good job Dave.

I spent a fair bit of time talking to some carp fishermen. They were showing me some of the specialized equipment serious carp fishermen use. The only thing I can say is "I thought bass guys were crazy"  They were showing me 15 meter rods that you don't cast. Sure beats my bread on a hook and an Ugly Stik.

I only bought a couple of things since my budget was blown last weekend on Charlene. I picked up a LiveTarget Yellow Perch in the 1' dive model. I'm looking forward to trying it out.


I also needed some new line. I decided to go with the PowerPro Super 8 Slick in the 20lb Timber Brown.  The Thames is usually stained, so I decided on the new colour.  PowerPro has has always been good to me, so I gave the Slick 8 an shot over the Sufix 832.  I'm still tempted to get a spool of the 832 and give it a head-to-head comparison this summer.


All in all a great day reflecting on fishing and have been giving considerable thought as to the research and practice component to my hobby. Thanks to Derek for the drive down. I know he'll have an interesting post about the show.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

In Anticipation of Spring

My wife and I have an agreement, from mid-April until October I can generally fish as much as I want. I usually get out 2-3 times per week and a little more in the high summer periods.  Last year I got out probably 50-60 times in June, July and August. The flip side of that is I don't fish from Thanksgiving until Easter. This is an agreement I can certainly live with and has provided me lots of opportunities to fish.

At the end of the fishing season for me, I put away my gear and get busy with other things.  My Scouting is really busy in the fall, Christmas is coming and I don't miss fishing that much.  January is just downtime from all of the busy-ness. Once February rolls around, fishing starts creeping back into my brain.  The Spring fishing shows appear on my radar and the warm winter is getting me thinking of spring. My idle time drifts to fishing endeavors, I bought a new rod last weekend, this weekend I am going to the Spring Fishing and Boat Show. I need to take my reel in to have the bail repaired. I'll be sorting my tackle soon in anticipation of early spring carp.

The closer it gets to spring the more my thoughts and energies are on fishing. I still have to tear down the reels and re-oil them, clean all of the rods, take inventory of the tackle and see what I need for the upcoming season. All of the reels need new line as well. I need to figure out how I want to transport the rods in my new truck. There are a tonne of little things to get prepared. I guess that's one of the things I like about fishing so much, it can be a simple or as complex as you care to make it.

There is only a month and a half until April and 127 days until bass season.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Russian Allure, Part 3 of 3

... continued from Part 2.

The months swam on, occasionally I'd pull the Russian out to admire it's polished, shimmering skin. Cold to the touch, it still made me feel warm with excitement. Dreams of massive fish attracted by its water turbulence floated through my brain.

Mark and I both tentatively committed to christening the lure on bass opener, only to mutually be too busy that given weekend. Instead, I combed the river banks casting uninspiring lure after uninspiring lure, looking for a spot, the right spot, to cast the Russian. The manner within which she was begotten leaving me gun shy and worried: should I cast her in? What if I lose her? A chance I can't take.

A few catches, remedial by expectations, nothing compared to what the Russian will one day bring me if I bide my time well, and bide I did. At last, I cast out with spinners, crank baits, jigs and sink worms. Nothing's biting that day, but more importantly: nothings getting snagged. I look out across the stream that day and feel it: today's the day the Russian pays it's due.

I tie a new knot, assuring the best security. I add a leader; lest a vicious pike take my beloved away from me. I breathe... this is big... really big. I draw more oxygen to make sure I'm stable, the excitement nearly overwhelming me.

I cast it clean and fair, seven ounces of glimmering silver going where I intended. The splash subtle, barely disturbing. That's good, it won't spook my prize. I reel in briskly, assuring maximum water turbulence. I envision the Silver October bleeping with sonar while it's on the move. My line concludes, no catch on that run... that's OK, I savour this experience. I savour the loss of my lure's virginity.

I recast with less exuberance. No catch. Even Dave Mercer requires at least a few casts to catch his fish, so I keep plodding on, knowing my superior tackle will net me my beauty.

Cast. Cast. Cast. Cast. Cast. Cast. Cast. Cast.

I pull the lure close to me for inspection. I blow on it; do the propellers still work? Yes, they immediately spin. I stop blowing, they continue spinning, slowing only under the light resistance of the breeze. The lure is functioning just fine. I cast in a different direction.


Cast. Cast. Cast. Cast. Cast. Cast. Cast. Cast.


I finish the last reel in, what the...? I decide to watch the action, to see how attractive it might be. I cast out to a clearer area, I reel in fast and it b-lines for me, causing minimal presence in the water. I swear I've seen more action from dollar store spinners. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. I cast slower. Faster. Super fast. Super slow. I watch the action, nothing; almost imperceptible to me.

I put it away that day, shut out and deflated.

Here is where my love of movies and quotes urges me to paraphrase one of my favourite films:

I wish I could tell you that the Russian fought the good fight, and the fish let it win. I wish I could tell you that - but fishing is no fairy-tale world. It never let fish bite it, but I was stolid. Things went on like that for awhile - fishing life consists of routine, and then more routine. Every so often, you wind up catching some fresh fish. The Russian kept me trying - sometimes I was able to feel a nibble, sometimes not. And that's how it went for us - that was our routine. I do believe those first outings were the worst for me, and I also believe that if things had gone differently, this lure would have got the best of fish.


Lapsing out of my movie paraphrase, let me be clear: this lure has no action, and has not caught me a single fish. I've rigged up insane pike rigs making crank bait chase the Russian like it's bitch, to no avail!

Today, the Russian sits in my tackle box, slightly rusty (I guess I neglected the WD40 maintenance that the manual suggested) and disused. Do I miss it? I miss the allure of it... I miss the dream of it. I've moved on, though, and found a great lure that gave me success. More on that some other time.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Spring Fishing and Boat Show

This Saturday I'm going to the Spring Fishing and Boat Show at the International Centre in Mississauga. I'm stoked about seeing some new lures and checking out the speakers.  I can't fish yet, but this is a consolation prize.  Trying to decide whether to see Dave Mercer or the International Fly Fishing Film Festival both should be entertaining. I'm in the market for some fishing line and was thinking about picking up some Sufix 832. It looks impressive and I've read mostly good reviews about it.

Monday, February 13, 2012

The Russian Allure, Part 2 of 3

... continued from Part 1.

I informed the Russian captor that I'd really (really) like to purchase one of these lures, and she said they're not for sale. Persuading, I posited that the burden of carting all of these back to Russia was too much, and she dismissed me. Pleading, I asked her if there was no way she could forgo just one? She got her manager.

Reiterating the whole sequence from the above, I was able to break the Russian Manager down. He informed me that they were going to sell off the lot on Sunday, at the end of the show. But I wouldn't be there on Sunday! With some further gentle persuasion and pressure he conceded to sell me one. I asked the price and he gave me a dirty look: if I needed to ask the price, I couldn't afford it.

He suggested we sit down to perform this transaction. Eager, ready to explode with excitement I pulled a crisp $20 bill out of my wallet and proceeded to hand it to him. Mark too pulled out $20 and passed it to me.

The Russian Manager pierced me with dark vodka laden eyes and motioned to the chair. I sat, afraid. Afraid of what, I wasn't sure, but my experience quickly moved from giddy childhood aquisition to something darker. Would I hear the click of a Makarov pistol beneath the table cloth? Or feel the cold steel against my knee? I didn't know, but I held steadfast in anticpation of holding my prize at last.

The Russian Manager opened a case filled with my desired brass, copper and stainless steel implements. He confirmed that I'd like a seven ounce dual propeller, and upon my agreement removed two from the case, silently noting the two bills to be offered in trade. Sliding the carefully stacked duo to the middle of the table, I placed the money beside them and cautiously retrieved my prize.

Unsure of Russian Mob protocol, I ventured a hand shake, satisfied with the transaction. It was coldly accepted, and when my hand was released I briskly left the booth not looking back. Did I fear the sound of a Makarov? Yes, but should it make it's mark it would be quick, and I would die satisfied at having accomplished my goal.

Once I achieved a safe distance, I removed my precious for further inspection and caressing, only to be filled with dread: fishing season was two months away, bass season four and a half!

To be continued...

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Charlene

In my last post I was looking for a new rod and I found one. St. Croix Tournament Legend 6'8" Medium, extra-fast. Steve at Lambeth Rod & Tackle hooked me up with a good deal. Children have been told I love Charlene (the rod) more than I love them. My wife understands my new relationship. More on Charlene later.




Day after purchase: still excited about the rod. (The fourth Saturday in June is tomorrow, right?)


Thursday, February 9, 2012

The Russian Allure, Part 1 of 3

Sometimes the allure of a lure isn't always in the action, color or potential catch... but in the acquisition of the lure. Here, let me tell you the story of how the Russian Mob sold me a lure... at least, that's how I remember it.

It was a cold and misty February morning when Mark and I set out on an adventure: the 2010 Spring Fishing and Boat Show. My only goal for the day: to find a lure that would be unique and unseen in the Thames, or the waters of Southwestern Ontario. Like any other fishing trip: I might succeed, I might fail, but that's why it's called 'fishing', not 'catching'.

I checked the antique displays, and I inspected every vendor with deft and inquisition. "Life like" and "realistic" were the words dejour, but nothing made me want to bite. Onward I slogged through rivers of lures, allured by none.

Then my interest was peaked; before me stood a stunning blonde with excellent posture and assets to match. Politely dismissing her from my line-of-sight revealed a collection of lures that glistened and shone like none before them. Made from common but expensive materials such as brass, copper and stainless steel, polished and machined so finely as to evoke erotic dreams of machine shops, enticing me to purchase with dreams of bountiful angling in my head.

Polite discussion about the curvature of the finely machined metal, how the brass ball bearings lightly caress the propellers to create water tension and turbulence only hightened my desire for purchase. Each feature aroused an even greater desire to clench just one cold metal apparatus in my hands, as my own.

Finally, about to burst with the anticipation of securing my prize, I plead for purchase. With a winning smile melting my inhibitions, the Russian mistress of my angling dreams crushed my hopes and desires like a snapped line: they're not for sale, the Russians are merely seeking Canadian investors.

Immediately plunging into a deep dark depression, I hoped to satiate my desires by burying them in food, greasy pizza that was once my hot mistress would now taste bland and cold, but onwards I continued to the cafeteria. The day would wind on and on as I sauntered past displays of "life like" and "realistic" lures that held no promise for me, the one I did seek would not be mine, she was being held captive in a Russian jail.

At last, the speakers descended from the stage, and the shopkeepers started to close up shop, and I decided to visit the Russian captors of my precious once more.

To be continued...

Looking for a New Rod

I'm looking to buy a bass rod. I usually get by with cheaper gear but my bass rod snapped on my last fishing trip in 2011 and I have a little money to spend on it. I'm going to pair it with a Shimano Symetre 2500 FJ.

My Basic requirements
  • 6'6" - 7'0"
  • MH Power
  • Fast Action
  • Spinning
  • Around $150 (not married to the number but definately under $200)
The contenders so far.
  1. Shimano Crucial
  2. Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth
  3. St. Croix Avid
  4. St. Croix Rage

Shimano Crucial ($149)
Pros: Lifetime Warranty, Split Grip Handle, Alconite Guides
Cons: EVA Grips, Plain looking

Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth ($129)
Pros: Split Grip Handle, Cork Handle, Best Price, Looks Awesome, Titanium / Ziconium Guides
Cons: 1 year Warranty only, have not had a lot of experience with the brand

St. Croix Avid ($180)
Pros: Lifetime Warranty, Alconite Guides, Cork Handle, Premium Rod Company, Made in USA
Cons: 1 Piece Handle, Most Expensive, Plain looking

St. Croix Rage ($150)
Pros: Micro Guides, Innovative Handle Covering, Looks Good
Cons: 1 Piece Handle, Innovative Handle Covering, 5 Year Warranty



I realized that selecting one of the above rods over the other is not going to make me a better fisherman. I am excited to try out a better rod this summer, even if it is just for bragging right over Derek.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Thames River

The Thames River is one of the most diverse rivers in Ontario. 94 species of fish can be found in the river making it one of the best fishing rivers in south western Ontario. Fishing opportunities abound in the London section of the river (both North and South branches) with lots of public access to the river. A paved trail system extends along the river for more than 20km within the city. Fanshawe Lake provides both boating and shore fishing prospects. The river changes from fast, deep and chocolate brown during the spring runoff to areas that can be crossed with barely getting wet in the summer.

Within the London city limits and immediately adjacent there are a large number of sport and coarse fish available for angling. Available species are:

Sport Fish
  • Brook Trout
  • Brown Trout
  • Crappie
  • Largemouth Bass 
  • Pike
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Sunfish (Pumpkinseed, Bluegill and Rock Bass) 
  • Walleye
Coarse Fish
  • Bullhead
  • Carp
  • Channel Catfish
  • Gar Pike
  • Redhorse Sucker
  • Sheepshead
  • White Bass 
  • White Sucker
  • Various other sucker fish 
Popular spots to fish

Fanshawe Lake
North of Fanshawe Lake is a good spot for nice sized smallmouth bass and brook and brown trout in the tributaries. Fanshawe Lake is a small man-made lake that features walleye, smallmouth bass and good sized carp. Both shore and boat fishing can be accomplished here. There is a boat launch at the lake.

Downtown London
The Forks of the Thames is in downtown London where the north and south branches meet. A wide variety of fish can be found at this location and access to the river is very easy. (Great for fishing after work)

Springbank Park
Springbank Park is a large urban park in London's west end. The park follows the river valley for several kilometers. The Springbank Dam is a popular fishing spot with residents.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Favourite New Lure


I was looking for some new inline spinners, one of my favourite bass lures for shallow rivers.  The bass just can't seem to lay off the vibrations.

I've owned a lot of different inline spinners from dollar store cheapies to Mepps.  While checking out the fishing world online, I found this guy who handmakes his lures and thought I'd give them a try since they looked awesome. Rockstar Lures has some great looking lures.

When my package arrived, I could not have been happier. The quality was second to none.  I thick wire supports a large blade, multiple beads, lots of feathers and a sharp red hook attached with an oval split ring for quick changing. Compared to anthing I bought in the stores, these look better.  The paint jobs are great.  As a bonus to the 4 3 inch bass lures I bought, Rockstar Lures sent me a 7 inch pike lure free!  The pike lure looks like it could withstand a bite from the largest Northern out there and would summon ancient fish from the depths of the lake with it's huge blade.

Not only do they look great, but they perform in the water.  The lures run true, cause big vibrations and spin even at slow speeds.

I can't wait for bass season to try these guys out in some of my favourite spots.