it happened again... CT Pikin

 After yesterdays great trip on the river we decided to give it another go.The weather was even better for pike fishing than the day before so Garrett and I went out ready to set some hooks. Our first spot held zero active fish but the second one yielded 3 pike over 30 inches within 10 minutes. Bam Garrett gets a 30.75... Bam i get a 31.5 ... Bam Garett gets a 32. Then it died and we moved on. Our next stop produced a 26 incher on a buzz bait for me which was pretty epic on 8 lb test and a small rod while going for a few bass. Then we got two more in the next hour working a large weed bed. One being 27 inches and the other a baby probably 10-12 inches.  The action was farther spread out today and the fish were smaller than yesterday but by the time we left we had 7 pike. Back to back days with 7 or more pike is something ive never done so i was pretty excited about it.  Also the first time ive targeted pike and didn't catch a single bass for the boat all day. Water temps are still 77 degrees and the boat traffic was terrible to the point we ended the day a little early.  So the 2 day total is 15 pike with 7 over 30 inches and all released healthy. 

Day of Days... PIKE FISHING

                    FORECAST: Overcast, cool previous night... all i needed to know.. 

  I had my friend Garrett meet me this morning for a trip on the CT River. I love to hate this body of water as it can be amazing or it can be a toilet but having not fished it since March i was ready to give it a go. I had pretty high hopes for this trip. This time of year for me these past few years has resulted in my biggest fish of the year and my highest number days. We started off fishing some bends in the river and both had some massive fish follow us back to the boat one of which looked well over 40 and whiffed on my swim bait.  Before long i got us on the board with a solid 29 inch fish. Caught a few smallies and largemouth then we took a trip down river to some spots we found on google maps that paid immediate dividends. Fishing a new section of the river google can be a very helpful tool to have with you.  First cast on this spot Garrett hooks into a tank of a fish and handled it like a pro. Using his thumb with the drag when the fish made crazy fast runs.. after 4 attempts of landing this fish it was finally on board and he now had a new PB at 36.25 inch. Thick fish that swam off like a champ to be caught some other time but i doubt it will ever make someone as happy as it did Garrett. 

               

  Had a few more strikes moved on to another spot got a 27 incher came back to the spot he got the 36.25 and i get slammed first cast and catch my biggest pike of the year at 34 inches. Amazing fight and once on board we noticed it had some incredibly rare markings. Half of its face was almost white and the other half normal. Very cool to see and after a few quick photos this fish was set free. By the time we made it back to the launch we had a total of 7 pike all over 27 inches  6 largemouth and 2 smallies.  Thanks Garrett for the best dam breakfast burritos ive ever had and for being with me on such a great day. Your enthusiasm and high energy definitely keeps me going and keeps my focus high for more water wolfs and more adventures. 

What happens next is what made this day over the top....

36.25 PB

GET SOME!

34 

34 crazy pattern

two face

  As i'm driving home i decide to stop and take a few more cast in the river from shore and my first cast i hook up with a solid fish but i had no where to stand with the tide being low and mud everywhere i tried my best to land this fish but it shook off on a jump. It was most likely another 34 or 35 inch fish by the looks of it. Two cast later i set the hook on a monster. It leaps into the air and i said well i guess im getting muddy cause im not losing this fish. After a few minutes and some epic runs i slid the fish onto the bank and standing alone in the mud was screaming in excitement. I knew for a fact it was my new PB caught on a lure. I couldn't get to the truck because it would take too long so i set my camera on the timer and got this photo. It doesn't even do this fish justice. These past few years ive caught over 100 pike and usually i'm pretty close on my estimates and id say the shortest this fish was had to be 38 inches so that's what im going to call it. 38..  It was possibly close to 40 but i don't wanna say it was without a proper measurement.  I left after that fish cause i was shaking and too excited to even keep fishing.  I dont care if the rest of this year is a struggle for pike. We had an amazing day today that i wont soon forget or beat.  Just awesome.. 

Night Bassin for Largemouth! Tips

Booyah Buzz Bait

  I've spent the past three weeks struggling during the day with the water temps being at the peak of the year, i decided to try some night fishing. The same fish that were not active during the day down in deeper water at night come up shallow into the weed lines and shorelines and feed. These fish can be very aggressive! Buzz bait has been the hottest bait on most nights. We have been fishing with no head lamp no lights other than the bow and stern lights on the boat. Only using the head lamp to tie knots and unhook fish. The darker the better! 

  I have fished 4 times now in three different bodies of water with the same results at all of them.. When the black buzz bait isn't working the next best lure is a black spinner bait with a single colorado blade. Slow rolled over the tops of the weeds. The will hit violently and its awesome! If that doesn't work my number 3 lure is a black chatter bait with a black blade and a black or dark trailer. I use super flukes or bruiser baits even a paddle tail swim bait would work well as long as its dark. You can pick up these there lures at almost any sporting store or tackle shop.  

Strike King Midnight Special

ZMan Chatter Bait. No Trailer shown.

 These past few weeks i have caught some of my best largemouth of the summer and its been a lot of fun. Ive caught 5 bass over 4 lbs and tonight i caught three including my new PB at night. A 4 lbs 13 oz TANK.  This fish hit right at my feet and pulled some serious line on my bait caster. Get out there some time this month and see how fun fishing at night can be... is it creepy YES, is it kinda scary YUP, is it a thrill to catch some big fish in darkness ABSOLUTELY.  

Its that time of year.. smallmouth fever! Tips

 Every summer for the past 3 years i have enjoyed fishing for river smallmouth. To me there is no stronger fish that swims in fresh water. Catching a 12 inch smallie in a river your positive its a 2 pounder.. Then when you catch a 3 lb your positive its a 5. They never give up even when there right at your feet and there jumps are a thrill in itself. We drive all the way to NY and MA to catch these fish because its simply worth the drive every single time. When targeting these fish you need to learn how to read a river, read currents, current breaks and what makes these fish tick. 

   Early in the morning you can get them to hit full size buzz baits and even large spinner baits. But as the day goes on nothing beats a zoom super fluke rigged weightless nose hooked. You fish it like a jerk bait with violent twitches and small pauses. The current makes the bait slowly drift down current and you just watch these fish come up and smash the bait. If you find the fish aren't as aggressive that day you can put this same fluke on a 1/4 oz jig head and bop the bait along the bottom and that can work very well on slow days. White grub on the same jig head has its time as well.

 When fishing fast moving water always cast behind the big rocks where there is a slack water pocket. These are high percentage spots and if you find a big slow water pool after a fast current there is nothing better. If your ok with having to deal with treble hooks then throwing the top water spooks work fantastic and you get some great strikes. I don't do it just because its a pain to unhook them and i waste too much time not catching more fish.  So try these technics in your local spots. These will work in any body of water with smallmouth! Have fun!