Great day at the Bay

[wiperhunter2]

With the weather not looking so good for the rest of the week, Ira and I decided to get out there today, it turned out to be a good move. We launched at the North marina but decide to check out the marina before we headed out to the main body of the lake. We made two passes and got one nice cat but that was it.


After we got out into the main body, it was game on and we never went more than ten minutes without getting a bite. None were as big as that first one but half the fish we caught were 23" or more, none were below 20". Water temp was 56 to 58 degrees. The wind was blowing pretty steady at 8 to 10 mph from the South and we were afraid that might effect the catching but that was not the case. Around noon, the wind died down and so did the catching, then it switched to the North, we still caught fish, just not as fast but before we called it quits between 1:30 or 2pm we had boated 26 cats and one 12" perch. After two weeks of poor catching, it sure was nice to have some great fishing. Pink was the hot flig today with a few coming to the chartreuse flig with three dots. I tried the orange tiger flig but got no action but the pink was working so well, there was no reason to try any other color. We lost several cats, when our lines broke from all the action. We were getting a few perch type bites but only got the one, to show for our efforts. It was an awesome day to be on the water. Only two other boats out today, at least from the North marina.

[BoatBallast]

Sounds like a lot of fun. I'm anxious for the perch to start.

[SkunkedAgain]

Congrats Curt, that sounds like a fun day and lots of horsepower being drug in today... Are the cats still fighting hard, or are they slowing down into the rolling fight? Usually this time of year you lose the fun pull and get the half efforts, but as warm as it's been I guess they are still doing good.... Usually don't catch that kind of numbers of cats around Halloween, so glad you still got that kind of day in... I'm still watching for the perch numbers to come up and tempt me into leaving the construction and trying a day... It's getting closer and closer to me being able to get away and do some fishing.... Still got two big efforts on my plate, but timing might allow me to go before they are done... Later Jeff

[Jmorfish]

Nicely done Curt...your arm a little sore after all those cat fights?..tipping with chub meat pcs or crawler?

[TubeDude]

Nice work.  A fliggin' good time.  Tugs is drugs...even if they are only from those lowly catfish.  Tell Ira the price just went up on his "pinky pinks".  

Oh yeah, I also wanted to ask about leader lengths.  I had a discussion with Ira on that a few days ago and wondered if you guys had changed it up a bit.

[wiperhunter2]

Nice work.  A fliggin' good time.  Tugs is drugs...even if they are only from those lowly catfish.  Tell Ira the price just went up on his "pinky pinks".  

Oh yeah, I also wanted to ask about leader lengths.  I had a discussion with Ira on that a few days ago and wondered if you guys had changed it up a bit.

I might have to get another batch of 6, of pinky pinks myself, even with a new leader, one cat cut my line on the way in. On my next cat, with the three dot chartreuse, I checked my leader and it broke, it was amazing I got that cat in. On my next cat on that flig, it got it inside it's mouth and it really got torn up, trying to get it out and that was one of the samples you gave me, so I'll need 6 of those as well. Yes, we shortened our leader the ones we were using were 12 to 15"  in length. By the way, I got some intel, on some jigs, that are working well for one of the Willard regulars. I'll send you a PM about that and the fligs I'd like to order.

[wiperhunter2]

Nicely done Curt...your arm a little sore after all those cat fights?..tipping with chub meat pcs or crawler?

Thanks Joe and yes I'm sore from reeling in all those cats but it isn't my arm, it's my shoulder. We rarely use crawlers, chubs were the bait of choice.

[wiperhunter2]

Congrats Curt, that sounds like a fun day and lots of horsepower being drug in today... Are the cats still fighting hard, or are they slowing down into the rolling fight? Usually this time of year you lose the fun pull and get the half efforts, but as warm as it's been I guess they are still doing good.... Usually don't catch that kind of numbers of cats around Halloween, so glad you still got that kind of day in... I'm still watching for the perch numbers to come up and tempt me into leaving the construction and trying a day... It's getting closer and closer to me being able to get away and do some fishing.... Still got two big efforts on my plate, but timing might allow me to go before they are done... Later Jeff

Thanks Jeff, the cats are slowing down but they are still pulling hard, so I'd say they are between the hard pullers of Summer and the lighter pullers of late Fall and the bigger ones are still pulling drag. IMO, cats always roll but they were really bad yesterday, sometimes getting one or more lines tangled in the mess. I had a feeling it was going to be a good day yesterday because I knew this cold front was coming in and I've always heard that can get all animals going and it was true yesterday. I'm guessing this cold front will drop the water temps even more, once it goes through. As many perch bites as we got yesterday, I'm guessing next week might be better for the perch but we will see what happens.

[wiperhunter2]

Sounds like a lot of fun.  I'm anxious for the perch to start.

It was for sure and it won't be long for the perch, even though there are still a lot of baby shad in the lake, I'm guessing they will start dying off, very soon. We likely had at least 6 or 7 doubles, on the cats yesterday.

[TubeDude]

Nice work.  A fliggin' good time.  Tugs is drugs...even if they are only from those lowly catfish.  Tell Ira the price just went up on his "pinky pinks".  

Oh yeah, I also wanted to ask about leader lengths.  I had a discussion with Ira on that a few days ago and wondered if you guys had changed it up a bit.

I might have to get another batch of 6, of pinky pinks myself, even with a new leader, one cat cut my line on the way in. On my next cat, with the three dot chartreuse, I checked my leader and it broke, it was amazing I got that cat in. On my next cat on that flig, it got it inside it's mouth and it really got torn up, trying to get it out and that was one of the samples you gave me, so I'll need 6 of those as well. Yes, we shortened our leader the ones we were using were 12 to 15"  in length. By the way, I got some intel, on some jigs, that are working well for one of the Willard regulars. I'll send you a PM about that and the fligs I'd like to order.

Amazing how pink has become such a good color...for so many species.  But there's almost something obscene about seeing an ugly ol' catfish wearing a pink lip ornament.  

I'm guessing shortening your leaders in the cooling water probably helped your catch rate.  But I think you need to find a new leader material.  At Willard I use 14# Silver Thread Excalibur and I have NEVER lost a fish to a broken leader or a failed knot. And I seldom retie during a day of fishing either.  It is very abrasion resistant.  Only problem is that they don't make it any more.  I still have a pretty good sized spool of it but their new "Super Silver Thread" is supposed to be a good replacement.  

Dunno if Ira told you but I sold off all my jig making stuff...including hooks.  However, I can still make some fligs by "recycling" the hooks on older models I haven't used and won't use.  Plus, I still have some of the heavier hooks for making either tailed or tailless.  And I can still make the wired ones.  Lemme know.

[Jig-fisher]

What a stellar day. Fishing can be red hot pre-cold front, then just shuts down after it passes at Willard. Many of the worst days I've had at Willard  seem to come post cold front.

[SkunkedAgain]

Hey Curt, appreciate the update on those questions... like what you're thinking for next week as well... Hope it will get the perch on the chew.. I'll be watching to see what you find next week... Soon I hope to help out with some reports... Later J

[wiperhunter2]

Hey Curt, appreciate the update on those questions... like what you're thinking for next week as well... Hope it will get the perch on the chew.. I'll be watching to see what you find next week... Soon I hope to help out with some reports... Later J

No problem Jeff, hopefully next week we will see some improvement in the perch catching but we will need to see a big die off on the shad numbers.

[wiperhunter2]

What a stellar day. Fishing can be red hot pre-cold front, then just shuts down after it passes at Willard. Many of the worst days I've had at Willard  seem to come post cold front.

It was indeed. When we were working, it was a lot harder to get out before the storms but having the option to get out any day of the week, sure makes it a lot easier to hit it on those days that you know should be good. Just don't get that option, when we are working.

[wiperhunter2]

Amazing how pink has become such a good color...for so many species.  But there's almost something obscene about seeing an ugly ol' catfish wearing a pink lip ornament.  

I'm guessing shortening your leaders in the cooling water probably helped your catch rate.  But I think you need to find a new leader material.  At Willard I use 14# Silver Thread Excalibur and I have NEVER lost a fish to a broken leader or a failed knot. And I seldom retie during a day of fishing either.  It is very abrasion resistant.  Only problem is that they don't make it any more.  I still have a pretty good sized spool of it but their new "Super Silver Thread" is supposed to be a good replacement.  

Dunno if Ira told you but I sold off all my jig making stuff...including hooks.  However, I can still make some fligs by "recycling" the hooks on older models I haven't used and won't use.  Plus, I still have some of the heavier hooks for making either tailed or tailless.  And I can still make the wired ones.  Lemme know.

I started off with an orange tiger but got no love but when I shortened my leader and put on a pinky pink, it was game on, within minutes. The leader I was using was 12# p-line and up until then, I've never had a problem with it, as I said, I believe the way the cats roll is a major reason the line got cut but maybe two pound heavier leader would help. I should have been checking the leader after each cat I caught but I didn't and that was the result. Do you check your leader for nicks, after each cat you catch?

[Jig-fisher]

What a stellar day. Fishing can be red hot pre-cold front, then just shuts down after it passes at Willard. Many of the worst days I've had at Willard  seem to come post cold front.

It was indeed. When we were working, it was a lot harder to get out before the storms but having the option to get out any day of the weIek, sure makes it a lot easier to hit it on those days that you know should be good. Just don't get that option, when we are working.

So true!  I still have several years before I get to that next chapter in life. But looking forward to it for sure.

[TubeDude]

Amazing how pink has become such a good color...for so many species.  But there's almost something obscene about seeing an ugly ol' catfish wearing a pink lip ornament.  

I'm guessing shortening your leaders in the cooling water probably helped your catch rate.  But I think you need to find a new leader material.  At Willard I use 14# Silver Thread Excalibur and I have NEVER lost a fish to a broken leader or a failed knot. And I seldom retie during a day of fishing either.  It is very abrasion resistant.  Only problem is that they don't make it any more.  I still have a pretty good sized spool of it but their new "Super Silver Thread" is supposed to be a good replacement.  

Dunno if Ira told you but I sold off all my jig making stuff...including hooks.  However, I can still make some fligs by "recycling" the hooks on older models I haven't used and won't use.  Plus, I still have some of the heavier hooks for making either tailed or tailless.  And I can still make the wired ones.  Lemme know.

I started off with an orange tiger but got no love but when I shortened my leader and put on a pinky pink, it was game on, within minutes. The leader I was using was 12# p-line and up until then, I've never had a problem with it, as I said, believe the way the cats roll is a major reason the line got cut but maybe two pound heavier leader would help. I should have been checking the leader after each cat I caught but I didn't and that was the result. Do you check your leader for nicks, after each cat you catch?

After years of learning the hard way...by losing fish to line nicked by fish or underwater structure...I automatically run my fingers up the line from the hook to the swivel.  But these days it is more to remove the cat slime than to discover nicks.  Almost all cats do roll up in the line and slime the line.  And their pectoral spines have those sharp edges that DO damage softer lines.

That Excalibur line is amazingly abrasion resistant.  As I mentioned, I have never lost a fish to damaged line or bad knots with that stuff.  I have even landed tiger muskies over 36" on 6# line...when the jig was well inside the fish's mouth.  As promised, I will hand off a sample of that stuff in 14# for you to try the next time we meet.  

By the way, I have been doing some research "on line"...to see how others feel about the Excalibur and where it might still be available.  You can still find the odd spool in some sizes.  But most Excalibur fanciers seem to think the Yozuri is equal or better after trying it.  Just a thought.  I learned a long time ago that good line...per foot...was about the least costly part of your tackle setup over time.  If your leader choice is even as much as $5 more per hundred yards...3600 inches...the extra cost on even a 2 foot leader is only about 3.5 cents.  To me, being able to confidently catch more fish without having to constantly retie...or lose fish...is worth more than that.

[wiperhunter2]

Amazing how pink has become such a good color...for so many species.  But there's almost something obscene about seeing an ugly ol' catfish wearing a pink lip ornament.  

I'm guessing shortening your leaders in the cooling water probably helped your catch rate.  But I think you need to find a new leader material.  At Willard I use 14# Silver Thread Excalibur and I have NEVER lost a fish to a broken leader or a failed knot. And I seldom retie during a day of fishing either.  It is very abrasion resistant.  Only problem is that they don't make it any more.  I still have a pretty good sized spool of it but their new "Super Silver Thread" is supposed to be a good replacement.  

Dunno if Ira told you but I sold off all my jig making stuff...including hooks.  However, I can still make some fligs by "recycling" the hooks on older models I haven't used and won't use.  Plus, I still have some of the heavier hooks for making either tailed or tailless.  And I can still make the wired ones.  Lemme know.

I started off with an orange tiger but got no love but when I shortened my leader and put on a pinky pink, it was game on, within minutes. The leader I was using was 12# p-line and up until then, I've never had a problem with it, as I said, believe the way the cats roll is a major reason the line got cut but maybe two pound heavier leader would help. I should have been checking the leader after each cat I caught but I didn't and that was the result. Do you check your leader for nicks, after each cat you catch?

After years of learning the hard way...by losing fish to line nicked by fish or underwater structure...I automatically run my fingers up the line from the hook to the swivel.  But these days it is more to remove the cat slime than to discover nicks.  Almost all cats do roll up in the line and slime the line.  And their pectoral spines have those sharp edges that DO damage softer lines.

That Excalibur line is amazingly abrasion resistant.  As I mentioned, I have never lost a fish to damaged line or bad knots with that stuff.  I have even landed tiger muskies over 36" on 6# line...when the jig was well inside the fish's mouth.  As promised, I will hand off a sample of that stuff in 14# for you to try the next time we meet.  

By the way, I have been doing some research "on line"...to see how others feel about the Excalibur and where it might still be available.  You can still find the odd spool in some sizes.  But most Excalibur fanciers seem to think the Yozuri is equal or better after trying it.  Just a thought.  I learned a long time ago that good line...per foot...was about the least costly part of your tackle setup over time.  If your leader choice is even as much as $5 more per hundred yards...3600 inches...the extra cost on even a 2 foot leader is only about 3.5 cents.  To me, being able to confidently catch more fish without having to constantly retie...or lose fish...is worth more than that.

That was why I upgraded to the P line, for leader but it sounds like I stopped short of the needed abrasion strength of the Excalibur, in 14#. Looking forward to giving it a try, the next time we meet up, thanks again Pat.

[TubeDude]

By the way, I have been doing some research "on line"...to see how others feel about the Excalibur and where it might still be available.  You can still find the odd spool in some sizes.  But most Excalibur fanciers seem to think the Yozuri is equal or better after trying it.  Just a thought.  I learned a long time ago that good line...per foot...was about the least costly part of your tackle setup over time.  If your leader choice is even as much as $5 more per hundred yards...3600 inches...the extra cost on even a 2 foot leader is only about 3.5 cents.  To me, being able to confidently catch more fish without having to constantly retie...or lose fish...is worth more than that.

That was why I upgraded to the P line, for leader but it sounds like I stopped short of the needed abrasion strength of the Excalibur, in 14#. Looking forward to giving it a try, the next time we meet up, thanks again Pat.

Choice of lines is like our choices for rods, reels, lures, baits, etc.  Almost all are good...for some anglers, on some waters, for some species and under some set of conditions.  But there is not any "one size fits all" line that will do the best job for any of the aforenamed factors.  

Some fishing situations call for lighter...or heavier...lines.  Some require super fine and invisible over stoutness and strength.  And sometimes a super-limp line with no memory is preferable to a stiffer but tougher line...even if you are sacrificing knot strength for more strikes in super clear and shallow water.

Unfortunately it takes time and some investment in different lines and respooling for different fishing situations to get the best feel for what works best for you in a given situation.  After that, it is purely a matter of preference.  And when it comes to fisherfolk, we are an opinionated lot.  It's what we like that counts.  Doesn't matter what thousands of others might say or think.  

Yes, Honey, I really did need to buy that 10,000 yard spool of gold wire line.  Johnny can do without lunch money  until we get our tax refund.

[brookie]

I use the Excalibur Silver Thread for leader almost exclusively. Those kokanee at the end of the season get big teeth and tear up the squid sets. The roll I have been using is 14#. I noticed some on eBay recently. The 14# was unavailable but picked up rolls in 10 and 20# test.