2013 Episode Synopsis
by Charlie Wray

Episode 229: Apex Salmon & Live Target Pike

Today, the Mercury Marine Destination starts us in Lake Ontario near St. Catharines, then up to Reindeer Lake in Saskatchewan for Pike. The target species on Lake Ontario is the mighty King Salmon, but what you might think is the perfect trolling speed, is often quite different. When you check what is going on down below with a temperature and speed probe, you quickly learn to adjust your surface speeds and what depth you need to target for temperature, especially when success quickly follows.

Charlie is once again in the big Crestliner 2150 Sportfish. If you are looking for a big water boat that is still very trailer friendly, look at the Crestliner Sportfish 2150 SST. This is the largest of the Crestliner fleet and handles the big water comfortably. The SST (Space Saver Transom) extends the length of the boat allowing more usable space in the boat, and giving a large splash well that will keep even the largest waves from entering the boat. The SST also gives a perfect place to store the sun top when not in use with a hinged area that hides the cover completely. Crestliner boats are completely welded and this 2150 Sportfish even has toe rails for balance when fighting or rigging in the big water, something not often found in many aluminum boats. Even though this boat has the very dependable Mercury Verado 300 as the main power plant, designed for long demandable runs or all day trolling, today is calm and Charlie is using the 9.9 Mercury Pro Kicker. This Big Foot kicker delivers great thrust at low rpm's, still with a high output alternator to keep the batteries charged.

The Hot Spot Flashers have been a big fish attractor for years, and while the Apex lures might be more popular on the West Coast then in the Great Lakes, they still work incredibly well. The Apex is basically a plastic spoon with tremendous darting action. When working behind the fish attracting, rotating action of the Hot Spot Flasher, this was a combination that should definitely be used more. It worked great, and on large fish!!! The leader for the Apex works its way to the hook by way of a few holes in the plastic, so when fighting the Salmon, the plastic Apex can slide up the line eliminating any leverage the salmon can hope to find to shake the hook.

Charlie is a huge fan of the abrasion resistant Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader material, and this is one of the first things he does. The Apex comes rigged with a mono leader, and that works just fine, but the Seaguar allows more abuse between re-tying. Play with the leader length behind the flasher, some days they like it close, other days a longer leader, and since the Apex has such great action on its own, it doesn't rely on only the flasher for its action like a fly rig would. The Cannon Digi Troll 10 downriggers make fishing deep waters a dream, and with the Cannon track system, you can move the Cannon adjustable rod holder anywhere you need them. These adjustable rotating rod holders are fantastic, they rotate 360 degrees and whether you are downrigging, using planer boards, dipsy divers or long lines, you can be ready for the rod placement you need in seconds.

Okuma has a new Cold Water line counter reel, and this was one of the first tests Charlie gave this reel, (it has held out great all season after as well ). It features a lightweight corrosion resistant frame and also an anti-fogging line counter, along with all the other great features that have made Okuma line counter reels one of the first choices for the Great Lakes. Oversized gearing and dependable drags have landed many monster Salmon over the years.

Then it is once again up to Saskatchewan for the monster Pike that roam the shallows. The same lures that show themselves as very productive, even on these remote lakes are also the winning choices on pressured areas back home, the elimination process is just quicker! While it is a blast to enjoy the fast action, choices for the day become obvious. From the first trip a few years back, one thing was clear, the Live Target Blue Back herring was very productive, the Pike simply loved it. Charlie clued into a technique that simply drove them nuts!! Even on some of these remote lakes, some bays are hit on a daily basis from the guides, and yes, these fish get wise to pressure. One day when trying to stir up the attention from the larger uninterested Pike, the faster the lure was reeled, the more they wanted the Live Target Blue Back Herring. Almost so fast, like trying to avoid the hits doing the "you can't catch me", and they plowed it!!!

Also noticed, at the faster speeds, this double jointed lure developed a knocking sound, not a rattle, but a knocking noise at a quick retrieve speed, and this was the magic ticket again this year for the big brutes. A single hook and barbless is the way to go up here, so Charlie even goes the extra step of rigging two Live Target Blue Back Herrings differently. Leaving the belly treble on one for when the lures are being crushed and T–boned in open areas, and another rigged with a Mustad Ultra Point welded ringed single R94140NP-BN size 6/0, for when it needs to be worked in debris and weeds. Let me tell you, this Herring with only a ringed single on the back (so the hook rides upwards when added to the existing split ring), is incredibly weedless and will come out clean from reeds and shallow debris. If you can't find the Mustad welded ringed hook, adding another split ring works also. It takes two split rings to a single hook for the hook to ride upwards. The Live Target lures come with great hooks, but when you bend or damage the existing belly hooks on the Blue Back Herring used in open water, replace it with the Mustad Ultra Point 3X strong Elite Series Trebles #36329NP-BN. This hook is light in weight but razor sharp and strong!

This year Charlie came prepared with the new Okuma Cedros and Komodo low profile baitcaster reels, both with a 7.3:1 gear ratio. While the Cedros is a saltwater grade reel with heavy duty brass gearing, the Komodo is one of the lightest baitcasters Charlie has ever used, and designed with heavy duty aluminum gearing and shafts. Matched with the new Okuma Helios rod, it was an incredibly light and powerful combo that made casting and cranking fast all day a breeze. Both reels are available with a 7.3:1 gear ratio that made it easy to keep dialed into the correct speed. The Cedros was matched with the Okuma C3 Carbon Cone Concept rod. The C3 rods are light in weight but pack a powerful punch on the hook set. Dealing with big fish this trip, this is exactly where the fish of a lifetime can be lost if you are not geared up for a true monster and not take it seriously, the C3 has serious backbone and was used for the thicker weed filled areas. 50 lb test braided lines have been a go to for years, but this year, the incredibly thin and durable Seaguar Kanzen was tremendously effective and showed no signs of wear.

For a leader, I know many still like wire, but 80 and 100 lb test Seaguar Fluorocarbon has been incredible as a wire replacement and as a wire improvement for these applications. The 100 lb test Seaguar fluorocarbon leader material is invisible and bite proof from even the largest Pike (you might want to re-tie after 20 or 30 Pike). Actually it is the smaller Pike with the sharper teeth that can cause small nicks over time, and since it is flexible, no kinks!! You can even grab the leader to handle the Pike without worry of cutting your own hands, and if the Pike wraps in it, it won't cut the fish like wire either, completely a win, win situation.

Try and keep as much weed gathering hardware off your line as possible. Try tying your braided lines to your 100 lb Seaguar leader material with a Double Uni knot. Small swivels will work, but this is even a more stealthy approach. Need to pack light for a fly in, have a look at the Viking jackets. These are beautiful, stylish jackets that are also 100% waterproof rain jackets, and come with matching pants. Never again do you have to take the added bulk of bringing a rain suit if conditions change, you would already be wearing it, and 100% waterproof! Let me tell you, even in wind driven soaking rains, they are 100% waterproof and reasonably priced!

Anglers often forget what fishing equipment encompasses. Invest in quality equipment other than just rod and reels, this includes Rainwear and sunglasses. When fishing shallow bays, it is easy to see following fish, the take, the miss, and with a quality pair of glasses like Maui Jim, you will see a following fish allowing you to take the necessary steps to leave the lure in the water to entice a hit. Even seeing the flash of a miss from a monster fish, Maui Jim sunglasses gives you the edge to cast back on a fish that would have moved away and been missed. They might cost more than a cheap pair of glasses, but worth it if you consider them part of your necessary equipment.

Continue to Episode 230

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