CTFishTalk.com: Spring Pond 07/10 - Connecticut Lake Reports ( CT Lake Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

I ran out to Spring Pond as the rain was ending this afternoon and fished from about 3:45 PM to 6:45 PM. I had an exciting time, but ended up catching very little.

When I arrived, the wind was still blowing fairly briskly down the pond from the N, so I started by throwing a watermelon/red flake Y-Not soft plastic crawdad lure on a weighted jig hook from the shore into the SW corner. I got one good hit, but the fish spit the lure before I got a look at it. The wind started to wane, so I launched my kayak.

I started in the SW corner and worked my way N to the shallow area about 50 yards up the W shore. I started with the Y-Not but didn't get anything, so I switched to a wacky-rigged watermelon/red flake Yum Dinger. The first hit I got was extremely strong and doubled my rod over completely. I got the fish to the surface and saw the biggest chain pickerel I've ever seen. It was well over 24 inches and probably closer to 30 inches. It was well hooked and I got it all the way to the kayak before it bit through my 30 pound braided line. Sonofab*tch! I cursed myself for not re-tying my hook before I launched, figuring that the line was probably worn from my last outing.

I tied on a bigger hook on some fresher-looking line and started throwing to the same spot. I wasn't too hopeful for a hit, but got one and, to my surprise, it was another 24+ inch pickerel. It was slightly smaller than the first one and Sonofab*tch!, it bit through the line, too! Guess who's going to buy some of TurtleKiss' 50 pound braided line tomorrow!

After losing yet another decent fish, I said to hell with the W shore headed to the S shore. On the way there, I landed a 12 inch largemouth bass. Yeah, I wasn't too excited about that. It felt like I landed a sunny or a little rock bass. Whoopee. . . .

I got nothing on the S shore and started working my way up the E shore, where I landed a 17 inch, 2 lb 1 oz largemouth bass. While that was more like it, it still felt a little anti-climactic. Further up the E shore, I landed a 15 inch, 1 lb 7 oz largemouth bass. And then I snag-hooked a sunny, right behind its eye. But it was released unharmed. I worked my way up the E shore until the pebble beach and basalt boulder, but got nothing else before I had to head in.

The ironic thing about my day was that I was thinking about chain pickerel while I was driving to Spring Pond. I had seen and caught one in the pond about 1-1/2 months ago, but hadn't even seen one since. Both of the pickerel I hooked today were healthy-looking, fat, pretty green fish. And both doubled over my light action 5' 6" Ugly Stick rod.

I think I'll pair my medium action 6' 6" Ugly Stick rod with the 50 pound braided line for my next outing. And, no, "she" didn't say that I need a stiffer rod! I'm just tired of all of the big ones getting away and think the stiffer rod will help me to horse them into my kayak more quickly.
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Bluegill Terminator · Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 538 Location: Plainville

Hey PECo it can be done with the ultralights. Back in 2008, when I didn't know what a baitcaster was and I hated bass fishing true story Sad

, I caught this 6 pound 4 ounce bass

on my 6ft 6 light power trout rod on 6 pound test in my monster canoe. Just got to try to keep them down and not let them jump up in the air. As for the pickerel I got bit off on 60 pound test Power Pro the other day I don't know how thats possible. Rolling Eyes

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Pete

Were you standing when you boated the 6-pounder? My problem is that anything over 3 pounds can double my rod over and swim under the kayak. I sit so low that I can't get them over the side very quickly. Losing that first pickerel yesterday is still bothering me.

You got bit off on 60 pound test? Are you sure it wasn't your knot? What knot do you use? I've found Palomar knots to be pretty reliable. I just picked up some 50 pound Spiderwire braid. I really, really don't want to have to use a leader just because there are pickerel or northern pike in the water.

Phil
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DV · Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 229 Location: East Windsor

Braid has very little abrasion resistance, used to use a thick 40+ flouro leader when I fished for pike. Peco, the longer the rod the more pressure you can put on the fish to steer it away from the bottom of the kayak. I also started using a double palomar knot for braid, basically just an extra twist in the overhand knot which eliminates the slippage problem. I also tie a basic half hitch through the eye with the tag end on worm hooks, bigger knot has more of problem pulling the the eyebend.

Bluegill Terminator · Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 538 Location: Plainville

I was sitting in my canoe and I have had my fair share of bass swim underneath my canoe and come up the otherside. In fact that bass I showed you from Spring pond did that to me. I just got lucky that he didn't like to jump a lot. I use the double palmor knot I really like the strength of the knot.

AustinB · Joined: 10 Jan 2009 Posts: 120 Location: Simsbury

Where is spring pond? and also it would be easier to go to dicks or cabela's and buy a few leaders(wire), just a suggestion.
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toptech · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 322 Location: Vernon

DV is right....braid is the worst thing to use against toothy fish...Walleye, pickeral and pike will will cut it like a red hot razor blade through butter. Anytime I know I have to chance to run into something toothy I go with a minimum 30lb mono leader for my topwater stuff. Floro for under water stuff ofcoarse.
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TurtleKiss · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 1200 Location: central CT

I've been using 50 lb. Spiderwire for about 10 years and never had a pickerel bite through it. If I'm snagged on a rock or something, the hook usually bends and frees itself before the line breaks.

However...If you go anywhere near the thick pads at Scoville, use a steel leader and light drag. The bowfin make pickerel look like fluffy little kittens. They will straighten your hooks & demolish your crankbaits.
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PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

I haven't even caught a northern pike, yet! Bowfin? Aw, man. . . .
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toptech · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 322 Location: Vernon

TK is there a decent amount of Bowfin in scoville? Like could you catch one there say 2 out 3 trips?
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TurtleKiss · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 1200 Location: central CT

TurtleKiss · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 1200 Location: central CT

toptech · Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 322 Location: Vernon

Yeah everyday I go to work at cabelas I walk through and check them out... Very Happy

Pike are interesting fish. Sometimes you hook them and it just seems like the roll over and die...no fight at all basically...other times they are almost impossible to land cause they just keep pulling and wont give up even when you get them tired and have them at the side of the boat...they just wont stop flopping around.
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You can play on your computer and hang out with your girlfriend if you want....Im gonna go fishin.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

The chain pickerel I've caught have never played dead. Their mouths are surprisingly fragile. When they flop around, my Lipper Fish Gripper will pierce the skin on their lower lips.

I'm going to buy some leaders. I don't want to lose the next pickerel, northern pike OR bowfin that I hook. Any suggestions (e.g., type or brand)?
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