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Author Topic: Mini jack springs?  (Read 7800 times)

wallpin

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Mini jack springs?
« on: October 08, 2010, 09:23:41 PM »

I was at the stave earlier today to kill some time when I caught what I thought was a cuttie. When I picked it up and to my surprise it was a 12 inch jack!
 
I quickly let it go and for the next 15 mins I was onto multiple hook ups with these mini springs, must have been a school.

I had no cam but it was definitely a spring with the spots on the back and tail, forked tail, and black gums. I also saw a school of 5 - 7 of them in the spawning channel when I left.

My question is do jacks come this small or is this just a small group of confused fish?

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hue-nut

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2010, 09:26:38 PM »

could be hoe jacks, I've caught a fair number at the stave
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colin6101

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2010, 09:58:14 PM »

I've also caught these type of jacks before, also some really small coho ones, so it's not just happening at the stave.
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kingpin

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2010, 10:00:13 PM »

last year i caught quite a few mini jack springs...anywere from 8-12'' and STINKY SLIMEY little bastards they are
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Im an advocate for the supremacy of the bait fisherman race and a firm believer in the purity of it.

Fish Assassin

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2010, 12:31:57 AM »

They are awesome eating.
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wallpin

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2010, 11:17:15 AM »

Is there minimum size requirement for jack springs?

I've caught pikeminnows that could eat these things  :D
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doja

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2010, 03:22:04 PM »

Is there minimum size requirement for jack springs?

I've caught pikeminnows that could eat these things  :D

30cm or more for all salmon except coho which is 25cm. That is just a general rule and each river it may also change.
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azafai

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2010, 10:10:07 AM »


last year someone posted a picture of one of them caught in Capilano river.
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cutthroat22

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2010, 10:18:09 AM »

I caught 3 in a day on the Fraser this year and they were all around 30cm give or take a few.
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Justin

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2010, 04:05:16 PM »

I've caught them before to they are sure cool looking at that size.  The one I caught was just under 12 inches.

Justin
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Dave

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #10 on: October 13, 2010, 01:42:30 PM »

This post has caught the attention of geneticists from DFO's Nanaimo Research Station.  They would like to receive some DNA or better yet, a whole fish for analysis.  I don't have all the particulars but if any anglers capture more of these unique fish and would like to help a developing science, please call DFO's Gary at 604-809-7213
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cutthroat22

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #11 on: October 13, 2010, 02:37:21 PM »

FWIW I caught mine on September 12th in a short span of time in the South Arm of the Fraser (Richmond).  I tried a few times after and never caught anymore.

They day I caught them there were a TON of fish jumping and finning.
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lovethewater

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #12 on: October 13, 2010, 03:40:14 PM »

Is it possible that they are not jacks, but chinook smolts getting ready to enter the salt?
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Dave

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #13 on: October 13, 2010, 04:42:16 PM »

The size indicates they are not jacks, thus this interest.  A jack is generally described as a precocious male of any salmonid species but females do happen, especially with Cultus sockeye.  Normally these fish return one year earlier than their cohorts;  possibly these fish described are returning even earlier than is normal, which could indicate ???
I'm just happy there are respected scientists interested in this stuff. :)
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IronNoggin

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Re: Mini jack springs?
« Reply #14 on: October 14, 2010, 01:02:15 AM »

...possibly these fish described are returning even earlier than is normal...

They exist this year for whatever reason, but the real jacks are low in numbers WCVI.  ???

Stamp this fall:



Not alone in this system.

Wondering...
Nog
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