Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing Reports => Members' Fishing Reports => Topic started by: Driller on April 15, 2012, 07:25:38 PM
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Went out again yesterday and today. Got one 5 footer yesterday. Used old salmon parts for bait. Went out today and had a bunch of nibbles. Gonna go out again tomorrow.
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did you try any other bait? didn't think salmon parts would work at this time of year... I have been out a few times and have only one 4 footer to show for it, been using ditch eels and eullies
Rick
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Where do you usually go for the sturgeon? I personally would love to go, i have never even seen a sturgeon up close.
if you have any tips, shot me a pm.
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Salmon cuttings were all I used. Might not be the best, but 3 fish in 3 outings ain't bad.
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A little off topic but I have wanted to try Sturgeon fishing in the lower Fraser for sometime now but have never had my boat below Grassy. My boat is a prop and I was wondering what the average water depth between mission and Fort Langley was. With all the big boats and tugs I would imagine that it is deeper than where I usually run.
The big draw back is the Mission boat launch, I stop by there on my way home from work and it seems very busy and congested, cant imagine it on a weekend. I cant figure out why they cannot figure out a way to open the Dewdney launch year round. With all this technology you would think they could have key cards for boaters which would open the gate.
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A little off topic but I have wanted to try Sturgeon fishing in the lower Fraser for sometime now but have never had my boat below Grassy. My boat is a prop and I was wondering what the average water depth between mission and Fort Langley was. With all the big boats and tugs I would imagine that it is deeper than where I usually run.
The big draw back is the Mission boat launch, I stop by there on my way home from work and it seems very busy and congested, cant imagine it on a weekend. I cant figure out why they cannot figure out a way to open the Dewdney launch year round. With all this technology you would think they could have key cards for boaters which would open the gate.
If you wanted to take an "average" from Mission to the Fort, you would be running roughly 30'..... Tons of places to fish, lots of smaller fish (6' and under) this time of year..... Ollies is THE bait for this time of year, other baits will catch fish, but oolies are hitting the river.....
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Salmon cuttings were all I used. Might not be the best, but 3 fish in 3 outings ain't bad.
No offense meant Driller, but three fish in three outings this time of year is terrible! Start moving around more, get your bait selection to at least three different baits! Talk to people who fish them regularly and pick their brains. This time of year a slow day for me is usually 6-8 fish with 12-15 not being abnormal!
Mike
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Maybe he's fishing from shore, Mike? If that's the case I'd imagine the numbers would be way down from what a boat can manage.
Either way, glad to hear you're getting fish! Hope you're doing well, sorry we haven't caught up over the past year or so! Hope you're continuing to do well.
Cheers!
:)
Tex
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Thanks for the info Mike
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Mikes not far off this time of year i have 6 to 8 fish days from shore :)
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No offense meant Driller, but three fish in three outings this time of year is terrible! Start moving around more, get your bait selection to at least three different baits! Talk to people who fish them regularly and pick their brains. This time of year a slow day for me is usually 6-8 fish with 12-15 not being abnormal!
Mike
Ok, well lets help a guy do well, instead of terrible. Start moving around more? What do you mean? You have no idea how often I move. I fish from a boat, I found a handful of spots that work well with tides etc. I fish each spot for a couple of hours. I agree, I have to change up to some other baits. I've only gone out this year four times. The first day I went out with Salmon trimmings, and in 2 hours we landed 2 4.5 footers. I was thrilled. A couple of days later I went out and used the exact same bait. We got a 5 footer at the beginning of the day. THe rest of the day was quiet, but there were many bites. Oolies, and apparently you can't net them. So everyone talks about oolies, but where can you get them? I bought fresh water smelts at superstore, plus octopus, scad, and mackerel. THis will be for the next outing, plus I will use worms too.
I saw what I suspect was a guide boat today out in the Pitt River. The boat was anchored in the same spot for 4 hours, it picked up and moved about a half mile and anchored there for another few hours. They didn't seem to move often.
I've been working the waters, above the Port Mann up to the bottom of Barnston Island, and into the Pitt Just past the Pub. My boat goes pretty quick so It's not a problem to go further up river but I am trying to learn this portion.
I don't need to know where the honey holes are. i will eventually find my own honey holes, but any pointers are definitely appreciated. I will eventually become an excellent sturgeon angler, but just like I had to learn how to fish for perch, pike, bass, walleye, brook trout, rainbows, carp, crappie, halibut, salmon, steelhead, whitefish, splake, catfish, jack travelle, sierra, and dorado, I have to pay my dues.
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Was that you who we saw today at the boat launch? :)
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Yes Rodney.
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Nice boat. ;) We stood there for so long hoping that you would pick us up for the day since our guide took off with the boat. ;D
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Your buddy was talkative, I tried to make small talk with you but you seemed like you were quiet. I would've gladly brought you guys out. I'm sure the guide boat would've lent us a couple of rods, and some extra bait.
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You may find oolies south of the border. They would be the Columbia River ones and may not work as well as the Fraser ones but probably better than salmon parts for this time of the year. Also, try injecting the baits with scent. Pro cure makes a wide range of different scents and oils. I know some guides that swear by them.
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Your buddy was talkative, I tried to make small talk with you but you seemed like you were quiet. I would've gladly brought you guys out. I'm sure the guide boat would've lent us a couple of rods, and some extra bait.
Next time. :) I talk a lot less than in person than in my videos. ;D I doubt the guide would have lent us the gear actually lol, the goal of yesterday's trip was to test out the new rods and reels while hopefully getting a video feature completed. The boat computer turned out to have some water damages. We'll probably try again next week.
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Here you go Driller......
Get Eulachons..... period!
Most of the fishing shops have them (usually) and sell them in small numbers. I usually buy 4 cases (100lbs) at the beginning of the season and do them up in 10 pack zip lock bags....worth their weight in gold for dinos!
Don't buy the washington smelt, crap and a waste of time and money...period! Think like a fish and think of what is in the river at any given time for them to eat. These fish have just come off a period of time with basically not much for them eat and oolies are the first thing to hit the river...dinner bell!!!
Location.... oolies come up river from the ocean.... therefore you can fish them from the lower river up to Chilliwack with this bait. People fish them from New West (around the Key) with good success all the way up. Watch where you consatntly see boats fishing and try fishing these locations when noone is there. Do you have a sounder? If so, look for a depression, even slight, and drop anchor just above it so you can cast into the hole. Look for back eddys, slower water......
When? I fish dinos from the end of February until November (weather dependent)... early season and late season (for me) are the best, then again, it is nice in summer to sit back and relax in the sun!
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I could spend hours typing on where, when, how to......
The way I learned is I/we hired a guide (very well known) and told him what we were doing..... wanting to learn. Spent the day with him and then hit the water ourselves. This was before "internet fishing" was around..... our first season IIRC was 50+ fish boated and we thought we were the kings of the river ( ;) ;D ::)).....NOT! We have had many days in double digit fish with my best being 32 fish in 9 hours and three rods (in the fall).....
Get out and explore, most places will hold a fish or two so have fun!
Now the fall fishing....well that is a whole new story..... ;)
If you have questions, ask away, just respect these fish so we can keep the fishery going!!!
Mike
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Thanks Mike,
I truly respect all living creatures, and I am extremely respectful of this amazing fishery we have here. I was offered Ollie's at my bait shop, but was told they are 4 bucks a piece. I might not be able to get my hands on any this year, but next year I will try for sure. I will continue to hunt for these fish. I'd like to hire a guide one day, but for now, I have a new boat, and all the gear. I'd rather be my own guide. I've seen guys digging for information on the Internet before particularly around salmon season. Where to fish, and what gear to use etc. I don't want to be to demanding on this forum, but let's face it. This is a format for all of us to share information. I've given plenty of reports here. I'd be a fool not to try and tap into some extra info.
Thanks again.
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Driller, is your guiding service for hire?
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If you have questions, ask away, just respect these fish so we can keep the fishery going!!!
Mike
Mike, I just read through several of your older posts and enjoyed it. Very useful information. I heard about not using a rope around a fish before, but I have also seen several pictures on various web pages of big fish with rope on the tail. I personally would rather get wet, and use my arms around the fish to steady it, if it were a big one. The list of rules was definitely good to read. One thing that I have been really considering for sure is to upgrade to a decent reel. I already have 6 foot 6 inch heavy rods, an upgrade to a better reel with a good drag is all I need to haul these things in and release them safely. I'm not rich. The most I would want to spend on a reel would be 250. Any ideas? I saw one of your older posts you mentioned 3 brands of reels. When you go to the web site you get multiple choices of different size reels etc.
Who's got Fraser river Ollie's for sale?
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Penn Squall 40s are great reels a couple of our guideds are usiong them... freds has good oolies.
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Check out the ones Thomas (TNT) mentioned, also look at the Penn 320's, the TLd20's, both good reels and used lots, inexpensive too! Probably could pick up two for your $250.00..... I used the Penns for years and a couple of TLD's.... I found that after a bit of time the drags weren't smooth.... I got a fair bit of heat on that comment from some, but that was my experience. I started fishing sturgeon because I hated the combat fishing with people "shoulder to shoulder" and love the fight. Since it is my main fishery (for now) I spent more on the reels I wanted and finally have all the same rods and reels on my boat after many years of mis matched rods, reels etc.....
Ollies are expensive from most of the outlets.... try buying bulk for a lower price... I will check and see if my supplier is back up and running in his new location and let you know! One BIG thing to remember here..... you have the boat, the equipment, spend $$$$ on fuel and maintenance, travel time, lunches etc..... see where this is going?? Spend a few bucks for the bait that works and you WILL be into fish! Just about anything will catch the odd fish, but use what they are LOOKING for and you will catch them. You said in an earlier post about thinking like a fish, well in the spring oolies are the first large food source to hit the river, they gorge on them as they haven't had a large supply of food in a long time.... then come the salmon..... worms in a roe sack work well too at this time of year, just remember to poke them with a needle or something to get the scent going..... ;D
Anymore questions??
Mike
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I'll spot you a bag of 10 frozen oolies if you want.
Let me know where you are or where you fish and maybe I can meet you somewhere.
I bought a big box of them last year and they are killer bait this time of the year - I believe they spawn in early May so this is prime time.
As far as a reel, I have used Penn 320s and 330s - the 320s are fairly small and you will get spooled on a big fish.
I got my 330 in a package deal with a 320, a 330, and 2 x 6500s for $200.
Keep your eyes open on the Buy & Sell sections.
As far as spots go, keep a real close eye out on where other people are anchored.
Edit: almost forgot - there is a trick to putting them on the hook - remember to ask me.
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I'll spot you a bag of 10 frozen oolies if you want.
Let me know where you are or where you fish and maybe I can meet you somewhere.
I bought a big box of them last year and they are killer bait this time of the year - I believe they spawn in early May so this is prime time.
As far as a reel, I have used Penn 320s and 330s - the 320s are fairly small and you will get spooled on a big fish.
I got my 330 in a package deal with a 320, a 330, and 2 x 6500s for $200.
Keep your eyes open on the Buy & Sell sections.
As far as spots go, keep a real close eye out on where other people are anchored.
Edit: almost forgot - there is a trick to putting them on the hook - remember to ask me.
I'd love some. I get back from work trip Thursday.
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sent you an email about a reel.
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If you want to save up a bit of cash, get yourself a nice 16VSX International. I've used them now for a few years, I also have had a few tld's which did work well, but they don't even compare to the International. Good Luck!
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Just bought 2 penn SQL 40 LD reels.
Highwater in North Van. All set.
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Hit the area from the mission bridge down to the stave pretty good today. Still trying to learn this fishery. Finally got some oolies. Landed a 4 footer. Tried roe, and worms, but mostly stuck to oolies as that's what a lot of people have been telling me. Presentation of the bait was good, just couldn't find the fish. Going out again tomorrow.
Anyone interested in fishing next week. Email me. I took the week off, and will fish hard. Must be willing to share anchor pulling duties! Kind of joking, but not really.
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That is the right attitude Lucas!
With the water coming up, make sure YOU KEEP AN EYE UP RIVER JUST ABOUT ALL THE TIME!!!!
There is a lot of bigger stuff flaoting down river now and they might look like they aren't moving too fast, but they are. It can turn a fun time out into a nightmare..... or a lot worse!
Mike
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Yes, be very careful for the next month and a half or so.
A large log can float down and hook up on your anchor line.
It will ride up the rope, pull down the front of the boat and sink you.
Have a knife (to cut your anchor line if necessary) and an oar handy (push stuff out of the way).
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Fish are getting smaller and smaller. Still haven't got skunked yet. Caught one today. Time to find another area.