2010 Episode Synopsis
by Charlie Wray
Episode 204: Downsize Pike & Koppers Bass
Today the Mercury Marine Destination starts us up at Reindeer Lake in northern Saskatchewan for Pike, then out to Lake Erie near Port Colborne for Smallmouth Bass. Even in a lake full of Pike, they can often get skittish and turn away from standard presentations. Feeling the displacement caused by a boat in shallow water, clear visible waters, etc. Whatever the reason, this is the time to downsize your offerings. How many times have you heard of monster Pike and Muskie grabbing a smaller Bass or Walleye lures, this is not fluke. If this is the presentation that works, use it. Charlie uses the same great Mustad Ultra Point Power Lock Plus Hook that he has used before, only in a lighter smaller sized # 91768UB18. This adjustable weighted hook is strong enough to take the abuse, and matched up perfectly with the smaller sized Lunkerhunt Spicy Shad. Even the smaller sized Lunkerhunt has great action and a thumping tail and was just the ticket to start the feeding frenzy.
With a smaller bait and monster fish, the offerings would be sucked out of sight, and besides, this was also another opportunity to try a new product on the market by the folks at Tuf-Line called Tuf-Leader, and it worked incredibly well. This is a braided stainless steel wire that has a spectra core, giving this wire a flexible, kink free application. No matter how much you try to kink this wire, it simply does not kink or twist up, and it even ties like a regular mono line. Even grabbing this wire to manage fish at boat side was no problem, this wire has a soft feel to it like a braided wire necklace and was very easy on the hands. Hook sets needed to be rock hard and the 30 lb test no stretch braided Tuf-Line XP is always a go to line for Charlie. This was also an opportunity to test a new low profile reel that will be on the market from Okuma called the Tormenta. Without knowing what level of reel this was suppose to be, this reel took an incredible amount of abuse and worked like a high end reel from the beginning to the end of the season. Charlie was very surprised to learn that this Tormenta reel is actually a low end priced reel, as part of the new line up of new Okuma low profile baitcasters!
Then, over to Lake Erie for some deep water Bass action, this is late in the season and time to stay warm in the Salus Float suits. Salus makes a great two piece float suit that is extremely comfortable, and when temperatures warm up by mid day, the coat can come off leaving you still in the comfort and safety of the float pants. The Crestliner Raptor 1850 TE is ideal for this fishing, still loads of room for an 18 ½ foot boat, and a generous sized casting deck at the front. Powered by the Mercury Verado 175 hp 4 stroke, not only does this boat fly, but fuel efficient and as dependable as you could ever dream of. Wanting to find a hidden hot spot for himself, Charlie trolls a known area looking for unknown secondary areas. Using the side imaging on the Humminbird 1197C, it is incredible what can be seen to the sides, and these are the areas you could never map out with a transducer. Setting up a controlled drift through the area, Charlie also wants to present a crankbait to the deep water holding Bass, something they simply do not see at this depth.
The Koppers Live Target Lures are extremely realistic and have a great action, and the Crawfish being used today look exactly like the real thing, even perfect colours. What Charlie wants to do, is get a shallow running Koppers Live Target Crawfish down to these fish with a modified Carolina rig. Using a 1 oz weight and long Seaguar Fluorocarbon 10 lb test leader, the weight pounds the bottom when pulled, and at the same time, digging the crankbait into the bottom. At rest, the crankbait floats up, then repeat the drag and dig again. This action, matched to the fact that fish simply do not see crankbaits doing this at this depth is simply a recipe for success. Tuf-Line is used today, but not the Tuf-Line XP viewers have become accustomed to seeing on the show. Today, it is the Tuf-Line Duracast. This is a coated braid that is designed specifically for spinning reels to avoid the tip wrapping that is common with all other braids. This line is still sensitive and with that great no stretch feel. With light lines and leaders, heavy weights and small hooks, a silky smooth drag is needed and the 10 ball bearing Okuma Epixor fits the bill nicely. This reel has stood the test of time as a rock solid performer in the Okuma line up. To add a little more holding power, Charlie will often replace the back treble with a Mustad Ultra Point Triple Grip to help hold a little more when the Smallies go airborne. For all your tackle and fishing needs, check out your closest SAIL Super Store, or www.sail.ca
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