2012 Episode Synopsis
by Charlie Wray

Episode 214:Weed Guard Pike and Lucky Bug Salmon

Today, the Mercury Marine Destination starts me in the shallow, debris filled Pike waters of Northern Saskatchewan, then out to Chilliwack B.C. to have fun with the new Lucky Bugs on Pink Salmon. First, the Moonshine spoons have proven deadly on Northern Pike, but these lures come complete with a treble hook, not the greatest for casting in the weeds and fallen timber, but this is where the big Pike are lying and waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by, this is where you need to fish.  Even Pike on these unpressured lakes will quickly turn away with even a single strand of weed on the lure, it is simply not natural.

What I do in these situations, is replace the treble with a Mustad Ultrapoint Siwash hook #10829BLN and I use a length of 60 lb test Seaguar Fluorocarbon as a weed guard. With the Seaguar, I basically tie it so that it loops from the eye of the hook to the bend of the hook and it deflects the debris incredibly well. Start by tying a uni knot around the bend of the hook, then looped around and tied through the eye of the same hook, to the shaft of the hook just inside the eye. You can also go the other way if it is easier for you.  Using a Uni knot, tie the fluorocarbon around the shaft of the hook, run the leader through the eye of the hook, make a loop, and tie around the bend of the hook. The stiff Seaguar is perfect to reflect the weeds, but folds down on the hit from a Pike. A few trial and error attempts will probably have to be made to adjust for the right loop size, but this works incredibly well and resulted in fish that would never have been caught without it.

I use the same Seaguar 60 lb test Fluorocarbon leader material as an invisible, flexible Pike leader. Not only does it make great invisible weed guards, but invisible leaders resulting in many more hits from line and wire shy Pike. The Moonshine spoons are not only very productive Pike lures, but feature incredibly tough paint finishes on these spoons. Once you get use to braided line, no stretch hook sets, it is hard to move away from it, and why would you. The Tuf-Line XP provides rock solid hook sets and control over your monster Pike. Even at 50 lb test, it is still a small diameter and slices through weeds like they weren`t even there.  The only down side to any braid is they are very visible in the water and can easily be seen, this is why the Seaguar Fluorocarbon is so important as a leader. The invisible qualities will fool even the most line shy lunker.
Casting all day can get tiring with heavier outfits, but lightweight rods and reels usually don`t have the power and strength needed for controlling large Pike. I have found the Okuma C3 Carbon Cone Concept rods to be the exception and one of my absolute favorites. It is light but incredibly powerful. When matched with one of the small but powerful Okuma baitcasters like the Cayenne, Serrano, Citrix, or the even lighter Komono (Komono will be on the market by the time you read this), you have a light, powerful set up. The Okuma line of small but powerful baitcasters all feature oversized gearing, and most are also available in left handed retrieve.

I love the new Viking jackets I have been using, they look like regular, stylish jackets, but they are 100% waterproof, so I don`t even need to worry about bringing the extra bulk of rainwear with me. Even the Bekina boots they have are the lightest, most comfortable rubber boots I have ever worn.  Actually, they aren`t rubber, but a foamed Polyurethane, much more durable than rubber and 40% lighter, where have these been all my life, perfect on northern trips when the sun is out one minute, then a drenching rain the next.  Don’t forget, quality sunglasses like Maui Jim should be looked at as an essential part of your equipment, not only to protect your eyes, but to help you see through the glare on the water.  It is amazing what you can see with good glasses, including lunker fish about to hit your bait, darker holes where they lie in wait, even seeing shallow rocks and structure to make for safer boating, quality pays.

Then out to B.C. on the Fraser River with my buddy Len Ames from Len’s Sportfishing Adventures 886-991-0287 or www.lenssportfishing-bc.com On the Same sturgeon show that aired earlier, we took a break for a couple of hours in the evening from the tireless Sturgeon, to do some flyfishing for Pink Salmon. The Pink Salmon run every 2nd year, but when they are in, it is a tremendous amount of fun. I love flyfishing, but simply do not do much. Len is always helpful to suggest a few tips to help me get the rust out.   My Okuma Helios reel and SLV fly rod makes for a beautiful lightweight combo, and after tying on a fresh Seaguar tapered fly leader, I was ready for business.

What we used this trip was a little different than past years, I was fortunate to find what is called a Lucky Bug.  This fly with a molded plastic lip, turns this fly into a mini crankbait, and while it has all the attention grabbing characteristics of a fly, it has even more with an enticing wiggle!!! This Lucky Bug catches fish!!!! It can be worked slower, has movement on its own in the current, and comes in a wide range of colours and sizes.

Continue to Episode 215

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