2010 Episode Synopsis
by Charlie Wray
Episode 196: Lindberghs Reindeer Lake Pike
Today, the Mercury Marine Destination takes us to northern Saskatchewan to Lindberghs Reindeer Lake Lodge. If you ever dreamed of catching over 100 Pike a day, and some of them true trophies, this is the trip for you. Great service, wonderful food, knowledgeable guides, and most of all, fabulous fishing. This is a fly in that treats you first class all the way.
With big Pike, it is obvious that you need to set the hook hard, and 50 lb test Tuf-Line XP is an obvious choice. Thin, strong, and no stretch, means the fish feels everything you hit it with, even if it is the entire cast away from the boat. The reel of choice was the new Okuma Akena 400. This is not an expensive reel, just built to take the abuse like all the other Okuma reels. What was very obvious from the first cast, was the extremely comfortable oversized handle and grips. This made fishing with it all day, an absolute pleasure. With Big Pike and big hooks, the rods needed to be able to sock the fish hard, and Rods like the Okuma C3 Carbon Cone Concept series has all the power and backbone you will need. These are tough strong rods!
Wire leaders are often the choice of Pike anglers, but Charlie has always loved the invisible and abrasion resistant qualities of the Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader material. Not only does the invisible qualities equal more and larger fish, but when fish wrap in the leader, the fish are less likely to damage themselves, and it is also much easier on your hands when manoeuvring fish at the boat side. The 80 lb test Seaguar was the choice today, thick enough not to be cut by the numerous Pike and still invisible to those monsters following, looking for the least hint of a reason to veer off at the last moment. Another plus with the Seaguar Fluorocarbon, the Seaguar doesn’t get kinky like wire no matter what bends and twists you put into it. Checking after several fish, and possibly retying once your leader gets a few nicks is the only thing you need to worry about. A small price to pay for more and larger fish over the very visible and kinky wire.
The bait of choice today was the 6 inch Lunkerhunt Spicy Shad. The large oversized eyes and flat paddle tail looks a little different than the other swim shads on the market, but the second it hit the water, the action was unmistakable and screamed eat me! Rigged on a 9/0 Mustad Ultrapoint Power lock Plus hook # 91768UB38, the bait not only had the paddle tail thump, but a swagger from the weighted Mustad hook. Nothing fancy, a straight retrieve without twitches was the magic ticket and couldn’t have been easier. The only problem with this incredible combo, was Charlie quickly ran out of the Lunkerhunt 6 inch Spicy Shads, he simply wasn’t expecting this combo to be so deadly. The monster Pike tore into this combination and it didn’t take long before 100 + Pike including several true lunkers fell victim. As you could imagine, 100+ Pike sure can take its toll on soft plastics.
Even in a lake full of Pike, it still makes a difference to be quiet. Even the guides up here know how important it is to sneak up on the fish in shallow water with the quiet power of Minn Kota motors, it simply makes a difference that equals more fish! Lindberghs Reindeer Lake Lodge, arrive in style and stay in comfort in your own private cabin and get ready for a trip of a lifetime. www.fishreindeerlake.com or 1-866-874-7453. For all your outdoor and fishing needs, contact SAIL –The Outdoors Superstores for what you need for a successful trip www.sail.ca
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