Monster Buster Fishing Aug '07

August 26th

Well, I must have jinxed myself by creating a new page as this was the first day out since the last post. As we are now trailer park people or as Jason coined it "Trailer Trash", the last week and a half were spent getting everything set up to a comfortable point. As a result, not a lot of time for fishing. From what I understand, it hasn't been that good. We also had a few days of strong winds. Anyway, I've posted a few pics of the trailer on the Pictures Aug 2007 page.

Kathy and I were staying at the trailer and we waited for Steve to come in from home. It was a Sunday run, so it took him double the usual 40 minute drive. We started out and already had reports of poor fishing, so we headed toward the US line. Half way there, we set up in 80 fow and started working out a little deeper as the water was 70' on the surface. We found 54' down at 76 feet but saw fish deeper so we put down to 90 feet on the riggers working between 100 fow to 150 fow. Had a couple of releases. I changed my colour on my side but Steve decided to continue with what he had. About 1.5 hours into the trip the lowest rigger went off (90 over 135). It pulled a bit of line but came up to the top quickly. I wasn't sure how big it was, then it ran toward the boat. Still thinking it might not that big, it was along side of the boat on the out side of the starboard dipsy rod. It then decided to cut across the starboard rigger wrapping around the dipsy line and the rigger cable, continued across to the port side. As the fish didn't run hard, I was able to loop the rod around the dispsy rod and starboard rigger cable and move across to the port side in time to see it was already around the port side rigger cable. Steve had to pull the cable retrieve in so I could loop the rod around that cable. As I cleared the cables and rods, the fish finally realized that it might be hooked and started to make some runs. Thinking any minute the fish was gone due to the line rubbing on the cables, I tried to get it in. After a failed attempted at net and another run the fish was finally in the box - a nice spunky 21 lb king.

George Kizlan Kathy Kizlan George and Kathy Kizlan

It was one of those fish that should have been swimming away with a NK lure hanging out of its mouth. Purple stripe on half black \ half silver. We didn't re-rig the 4 lines we pulled out and just trolled for a little longer and pulled the two remaining rods. Just shy of 2.5 hours of fishing, we pulled the last two rods out and found both rods had small kings. (I believe these fish may have been swimming along with us for quite a while as the port side guy never checked his lines the entire time. There is a lesson to be learned here - CHECK YOUR LINES.)

(more picture on the Pictures Aug 2007 page)

The Gabriel's came over for a visit and we were able to get out for a couple hours of fishing. With Anthony, Alivia, Pat, Steven and myself on board we head into 80 fow straight out of Weller. Before Steve had put the second rod down, my first rod went off. Anthony was up for the challenge and landed a nice 10 lbs. bow. Within a short period, the second rod went off and Pat had a fight on his hands. It wasn't a monster but was playing nice. After a few minutes and not quite near enough to see what and how large, it spit the hook. After a bit of dry spell, the rod went off and Alivia was ready for the challenge. With a few flips, a nice 6 lbs. bow was in the box. Shortly after, Dad had his chance and landed a small salmon. I think the last fish in the box was a small salmon landed by Anthony. In all, it wasn't a bad night with 4 of 7 releases in a total of 2 hours of fishing.

After we got back, we made a couple of passenger changes and went on a sunset run with Liz, Kathy, Carly, Pat and myself. With a slight ripple, we took a drive along the south shore toward the US line. Carly did some driving for us (don't tell anyone that she doesn't have her boater's card yet).

As we returned, I guess Anthony and Steve didn't have enough of fishing as they were casting off the docks looking for the marina bass.

As the night was still young and everyone was getting hungry despite the big lunch Pat and Liz brought with them, we diecided it was time for some "dogs" and "smores".

(more picture on the Pictures Aug 2007 page)

Kathy and I took off around 2 pm for a run around on a total flat lake. The sun was hot and the wind was not. We ran around a bit, then as usual, I had the bug and put down two rods. The fish were marked deep, right on the bottom in 100 fow. We trolled for about an hour and ended up drag a small king for a while. As Steve and Caitlin were coming out, I broke lines and headed back in.

Steve and launch around 5 pm and headed straight out to 100 fow. We set up with lines between 60 and 85 feet down. Steve went with greens and I went for the hot colours silver \ blacks with pink or purple. It wasn't long and we had our first fish from the 80 foot rigger. I ended up with a nice fight and a good 24 lbs king in the box. After we reset, my side rigger went off for 2 of 2 on my side. Steve took the rod and had a nice fight. WIth the fish in the box the comparison was on. Naturally, Steve thought his was larger, but the scale proved him wrong. Both fish were within ounces of each other with mine a female and Steve's a dark male. There was a possible storm coming so we decided tp pull rods and head home. Not a bad 2 hour evening run.

It looks like the run will be soon.

It started out fairly calm but by the time the kids got down to the trailer, the wind was blowing so we had breakfast in Niagara Falls. The forecast was for calming winds by afternoon. This time the forecaster were fairly accurate as it was fairly calm with some rollers. We headed for the US line. It was one of those days that you needed to reserve your spot as everyone was working the 100 to 130 fow line. I guess the word was out. The boats were from all over as I didn't recognize anyone. We started around noon with an east troll with riggers from 65 to 95 feet down. Water was 50' degrees around 90 feet down. We missed the first rod but the next release Sean had a nice fish despite Sean thinking it wasn't that big at the beginning. We did tell Sean the fish were playing funny this year and running toward the boat before realizing they are hooked. After a nice fight, a 22 lbs King was in the box.

A rod went off while we were trying take a pic and re-group. We missed that release. The next 2 fish were bows from the deep and the last was a 13 lbs king. We trolled westward with not a lot happening and as it was quite calm and hot, we decided to pack it in and head back to port, get something to eat and come back out for an evening run. So, this 3 hour run produced 4 of 6.

After a bite and quick nap, we came back out for the evening run. We headed straight out from the canal into 100 fow. We rigged the lines at 6 pm again running down deep. We worked around the end of the canal on the edge of a small pack of boats. We trolled west to help our eyes from the setting sun. The winds had died and the water was flat. The first line to release was a dipsy that was up quite high. We continued deep with the riggers and had a release off a bottom rigger. Sean was up and had another good fight on his hands. After a bit of time, he landed a nice 26 lbs female king. We marked some fish but were not getting the releases so we started some colour changes but only picked up a couple of small salmon. We broke lines just after sunset and this 2 hour run resulted in 3 fish. Sean was definitely the lucky fisherman with the 2 fish in the 20+ range. In all, a very nice day on LO.

(more picture on the Pictures Aug 2007 page)

Steve's friend Nick joined us for a September 2nd run on LO. It was a nice calm day but with the Scotty Tournament out of Port D, there was a line of boats along the 100 - 150 fow from the canal to the US line and beyond. We got a later start so we might have missed the bite as I heard some boats did well. We were listening to the radio and while we were out there, we didn't see a lot of action or hear about a lot on the radio. Anyway, we work the 100 - 180 fow with 50' being down around 100 feet. Nick brought in an 8 lbs bow and a small salmon. After about 3.5 hours we decided to head back and get some food with the plan of heading back out for an evening run.

We head back out about 5:30 pm for an evening run. The water was even calmer than before. We worked the 100 to 200 fow out in front of the canal. There was a small pack of 4 boats but they dispersed quickly. We trolled around the area and had 2 releases but weren't able to keep them on. As we broke lines, Steve picked up our only evening fish, a small salmon. Despite the lack of fish in the box, it was a beautiful day on LO.

(more picture on the Pictures Aug 2007 page)

The east winds continue although not very strong. Steve and I went out for an afternoon run. We took off for the US line to see if there were any bass at the bar. After about half an hour, we decided to get back to the salmon fishing. We started at the US line and trolled with the waves. The water was 68 on the surface and still 50' at 100 feet down. We trolled in the in the 140 fow range. We switched over to e-chips and flies. As we worked closer to 120 fow, a deep rigger went off and Steve had a nice 13 laker. After about 2 hours, we worked out to about 145 fow and had a release and a small bow was in the box. Working deeper a deep rigger went off and Steve fought a fish for a few minutes and then the dreaded snap, the fly was gone. In all, we went 2 for 4 and broke lines at 5:45.

(more picture on the Pictures Aug 2007 page)

Well, it was the old man of the sea run, as I was solo. It was already evening and I just changed the bilge blower and decided to make a run. It was about 5:15 by the time I left the marina. Ran down toward the US line and set up in 50 fow. As I worked outward, I was too close to the US line so I worked back but the waves were coming from the west. I did mark a lot of fish but didn't get a hit. water was 67' at 35 feet down. I decided to break lines and run back to the canal and do an east troll. As it arrived at the canal, the wind had started to die down. It was 7:10 and I knew I only had until about 8 pm. I set up in 85 fow with riggers at 60 and 70 feet down. Did see a lot of marks and more important, was the large schools of bait fish. The temp was 55 at 72 feet down. Working east, the lower rod set at 70 feet went off. The fish took some line. As I had Spin Doctors and lies on and I didn't want to lose the other side with a double header, I popped the rod and managed to reel it in. Got both riggers up. Of course, electric is the only way. Finally had the fish tired enough to attempt the net. All went well and a 15 lbs king was in the box. After reviving the fish, the lines were reset and about 20 minutes later, the rod at 63 feet down went off. Again, cleared the other rod and riggers, then got back to actually fighting the fish. Another successful net job and a 22 lbs king was in the box. Both fish were full of fight. As it was dark, I broke lines and ran in. Not a bad night for a solo run and only 2 rods.

The second pic was in the dark and the flash on the camera phone. After releasing the fish, I realized I could have used the flashlight to help. Oh well.

Put out about 8:45 after fuelling up. It was windy and as I was solo again, I headed straight for the same spot as last night, right out from the canal. Set up in 85 fow and put riggers down at 60 and 70 feet with spin doctors and flies. white & greens. Water temp at 70 feet was 56'. Start time was 9:15. Trolled NE with the waves and after about 20 minutes the top rigger went off, the same one as last night. after an excellent fight, with the fish spooling a lot of line, there was a 16 lbs king in the box. As everything was out of the water, I decided to run back in and re-rig to run with the waves. On the second pass, about 15 minutes after resetting, the top rigger goes off again. This fish wouldn't stop. It just ran and ran. This gave me time to break the other rod down and get the riggers up. As the fish surfaced, I could see the line stretch back farther than I could actually guess. Kicked the trolling motor to a crawl and start the long fight. This fish still had a lot of spunk as it neared the boat. Another one hand net job and a 23 lbs king in the box.

The wind was starting to really kick so I had time for one more pass - I thought. Running back into 85 fow, I set up the starboard rigger. As I reached the 70 foot mark it released but there was no fish. Re-setting the rigger a second time, again, it released at the 70 foot mark, and again, no fish. Taking this as an omen to get off, I put everything away and made my slow run back to port, just a little over 2 hours after I started. The two fish were well worth the effort.

(more picture on the Pictures Aug 2007 page)

A double run day. First run out with Kathy, the winds were from the N and the waves were a steady 3 footers. A slow drive out to 130 fow right out from the canal. Set up around 11:20, trolling with the waves with only 2 lines out. Riggers down at 60 and 70 feet. Water temp was 68 on the surface and 58 at 70 feet down. The top rod went off and after a good fight and a one handed netting, a 15 lbs king was in the box. Pulled up and ran back out to 130 fow. Re-set and trolled back in. The winds were starting to die down. The second release went off off the top and another good fight and a very silver 13 lbs king was in the box. Again, ran out and set up and trolled around waiting for the third release but as the kids were coming, we had to break lines and go in. Not a bad noon time run.

Steve and Caitlin were at the boat when we returned. We decided to get some food and head out a little later. Steve and I headed out around 4 pm right back to the same spot off Port Weller. We set up with four rods and all lines with Spin Doctors and flies. Shortly after, we had our first release. After a nice fight, Steve had a good sized 13 lbs bow was in the box. We continued to troll around and the second fish hit. I told Steve to take the rod again. The fish had been giving good fights lately, so Steve had a nice fight on his hands. After about 20 minutes, a good 19 lbs king was in the box. On the next fish, I took the rod. It took us to the west before we got it in - a nice 24 lbs king. Three more fish to round of the night with the last being a spunky 21 lbs king that kept Steve busy for almost a hal an hour right as the sun was setting. The netting was done in the dark with a flashlight. So after a 3.5 hour run, we boated 6 of 9 releases.

(more picture on the Pictures Aug 2007 page)

Dennis finally made it down for a salmon run unfortunately the wind was such that we made it out to the canal lighthouse and turned right back. Although, they maybe weren't the largest waves, they were short and choppy. I think Steve was wondering as he was looking up at us in the front of the boat and the big valley to the side of the boat. Anyway, with the boat safely back at the dock, plan B went into effect. Dennis wasn't aware but Steve and I had an alternative plan if the salmon run was a no-go. The worm and spinning rods came out for some dock fishing. Steve and I were aware that there were perch in these waters, so with the rods in hand the three of us set our minds on getting some perch. Dennis started the ball rolling but hitting a couple of nice good sized perch right off the bat. We fishing a couple of hours just as the sun was setting and managed to land 12 nice perch. Not what we had originally planned for but a nice alterative. Wednesday afternoon will be the next salmon run.

Not a bad looking bunch. Stay tuned for the big ones - salmon that is.

It's late September and looking back on the year, I have to say the the majority of the days we fished LO was very accommodating with the waves and sun.

We started out at the US line mid-morning. Not a lot of boats out. Worked around the line with no luck so we made a long troll back to the canal. The water was still warm on the surface at 67' and 50' around 75 feet down. After a couple of hours we had 2 couple of releases, but no fish. We then hit a a few fish at various depths. In all, we went 4 for 8. Can't complain.

(more picture on the Pictures Aug 2007 page)

Dennis and I headed out for an evening run. After a few phone calls (not mine), we headed toward Port Dalhousie. Thinking we might find them in close, we set up with spin doctors and flies on one side and J-plugs on the other. Water was 67' on the surface. First rod hit in 30 fow on the spin doctor and I had a nice 13 lbs king. The next fish hit and the line started to peel out of the reel. I thought it was going to be one of the monsters we hadn't seen this year. It kept taking line out and after a bit of time, I decided to pull all the rods and put the boat into neutral. Not someting I usually do. While Dennis was fight the fish, I was joking about it being a big sheephead. Well after about 20 minutes, we landed the joke, it was a sheephead (fresh water drum). The J-plug was in the mouth on the back hook but the front treble had hook the belly right between the gills causing the fish to roll and put up the big fight. As there were not a lot of marks in close, we ran out a bit to 100 fow and reset the lines. We hit the next 3 fish, 2 bow and 2 kings, in 100 - 130 fow. The temp was 50' at 55 feet down. These 3 fish came off Spin Doctors and flies from 60 feet to 75 feet down. We continued to troll into the night but didn't get any more releases after sunset. At 8 pm, we broke lines and came in.

(more picture on the Pictures Aug 2007 page)