Smoked at Starvation

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]TubeBabe and I met up with LloydE and Wildcat94 at Rabbit Gulch on Starvation this morning. The layers of smoke in the atmosphere made for a red sunrise and some low light conditions until later in the morning.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We all got launched by about 7 AM, with water temps right at 64. Cooling down and water levels have been dropping about a foot a week now. That usually means that if it has been a few days since your last trip, you may find the fish in a different spot. It took us a while to find more than onesies or twosies.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Wildcat94 caught the first fish. Heavy fish and a good fighter. I could not identify it from the distance but Bryce claimed it was about a 5 pound chub. I told him it would be a state record and maybe a world record. Turned out to be a carp.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The first fish jinx did not hurt Bryce at all. He got into a couple of nice perch and then went bendo on a decent walleye. 24 inches of teeth and great fillets. He was a happy boy.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I waited until all the others had brought at least one fish to the tube before I got started. Then, I found a fairly productive area and worked it most of the morning. One here, one there. Rarely two close together and no doubles. All perch except for one walleye that went about 7...INCHES. But, most of the perch I caught were over 8 inches and I did not keep anything under about 9 1/2". Let's say 10.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Wildcat94, TubeBabe and LloydE worked a school of perch in only 22 - 25 feet of water. Between them they caught quite a few, but many were small. My fish were up further in the channel, in water from 30 to 35 feet deep, and they were almost all decent size. Good fighters too. I got them on a variety of lures, but my floating jigs (fligs) accounted for the most and biggest. Also got a bunch on red and chartreuse plastic tubes. I mostly tipped with crawler but the other folks were doing well with perch meat.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I was fishing from my OLD tube..."Jaws"...since I had not yet got a replacement for the one I trashed last Friday on the way to Lincoln Beach. It still remembered how to help me catch fish. I brought in a full limit of 20 chunky perch. No walleyes, no smallies.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Couldn't have asked for nicer weather. Flat calm most of the morning with only light breezes by the time we got off the water about noon. Water temps had only risen about 1 degree...to 65. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But, there was something frighfully wrong on the lake today. I had this feeling that there were strange forces at work and that at any minute we might encounter something dreadful. NOPE. I finally figured out what it was, as we were loading up to drive off. WE DIDN'T HEAR OR SEE ONE POWER CRAFT ALL DAY. One small boat trolling behind an electric motor. That's it. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Great day with great companions.[/#0000ff]
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52618"][#63626b]SMOKERISE.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (314 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52619"][#63626b]PREP FOR LAUNCH.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (233 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52620"][#63626b]RED SKY AT MORNING.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (324 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52621"][#63626b]ON GOLDEN POND.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (227 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52622"][#63626b]FLIG & PLASTIC.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (260 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52623"][#63626b]FOOTLONG.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (291 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52624"][#63626b]ON ULTRA MINNOW.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (299 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52625"][#63626b]WHOPPER WALLIE.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (256 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52626"][#63626b]RETURN OF JAWS.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (344 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52627"][#63626b]TD'S TWENTY OVER 10.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (410 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52628"][#63626b]TUBEBABE BAGS SOME.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (469 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52629"][#63626b]LLOYD CHECKS IN.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (361 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52630"][#63626b]WILDCAT'S WALLIE.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (421 KB)
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?do=post_attachment;postatt_id=52631"][#63626b]WILDCAT'S WALLIE 3.jpg[/#63626b][/url] (384 KB)
[signature]

[ghost_trout]

We've had a haze here due to the smoke from the California fires. It has made for some interesting sunrises and sunsets. The moon was really colorful. They have actually issued health advisories for areas north of I-70 due to this haze. I am in Colorado in the Denver Metro area.

Glad you had the back up tube. The roadkill incident was a tragedy indeed.
[signature]

[albinotrout]

Sounds like you had a great day today. I ended up not going the the uIntas as planned. Maybe next week. Keep fishin'[cool]
[signature]

[flygoddess]

Looks like Wildcat spanked!......AGAIN! He is a catching machine!

I was at Strawberry Sunday and noticed the air getting thick, then the red skies kinda told the story.
[signature]

[Wildcat94]

That was a blast! Those perch are so fun! Glad we could tag team em, that walleye was my highlight. thanks
[signature]

[peter805]

Sounds like a nice day on the water. Must be sooooooooooo nice without the stupid power boats
and stuff.

Peter
[signature]

[flygoddess]

I did do my part down the road......kind of unusual, but I had one fly a foot off the bottom and the other four feet off the bottom....and DOUBLE CHUB!!



Now if we can get rid of them two at a time all the time!

Oh, and this was with ONE rod.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Did you get them on a "chub-ronomid"?[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Poor old ugly chubs get even less respect than carp. Both can bend your stick and stretch your string to provide enjoys. Hey, they are fish and they fight good...usually. Some of those big dinosaurs at Starvation fight better than walleyes.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Although Strawberry has a bad history with chubs, and they have been known to take over the lake, things are different now. The cutts have done their job in bringing the chub population WAY DOWN. According to DWR netting reports, it is rare to find small chubs in their nets anymore. The big ones are still spawning like crazy but the predators slurp them up before they can grow past a few inches. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That is good for the present, but it is possible that Strawberry might go in the same direction as Starvation and Jordanelle. The old chubs get bigger and older, but none of their kids survive to become spawning adults for the future. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]When the slot was put into place on Strawberry, there was a seemingly inexhaustible supply of redside shiners and chubs. The cutts chowed down and grew fast. Now there are few if any shiners left and the small chubs are hard to find. And...some people are saying that the cutts are not growing as large or as quickly. I'll leave that to the DWR biologists.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Anyway, cool pic of the chubbies. Always fun to double up...on any species. [/#0000ff]
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Glad you could join us again. Also glad you got the wallie. Hope you didn't get the walleye fillets mixed up with the carp fillets.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Here's another picture from the ones I took, but did not include in the post. Thought you might like to have it too.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[ParrMark]

Very nice Pat!
[signature]

[idahopanfish]

So TD, my simple mind is still struggling with your fligs, can you help me ole' wise one?
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[quote idahopanfish]So TD, my simple mind is still struggling with your fligs, can you help me ole' wise one?[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]I have been making and using floating jigs for years...using various floatation materials and colors, for different species and different applications. The basic idea is to float the plastic and/or bait up off the bottom...especially where you are fishing in nasty mud or a layer of weed growth. You can vary the length of the leader to fit the situation.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In the pics below, there is a picture of the rig I have been using at Starvation. It is a 1/8 or 1/16 oz. sinker on the bottom...dropshot style...with a 6 to 8 inch dropper (blood knot) about 18 - 24 inches above the sinker. When fishing in the 30 foot depths where we have been finding the fish, I cast out about 50 feet and let it settle...placing the rod in one of my "baitriggers" and fishing it like bait. I usually add a good piece of crawler to the jig. And, when the fish hit, it is very visible on the rod tip.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have recently been experimenting with using different size foam...1/4" and 3/16"...to make different sizes and styles of "Fligs". The ones that seem to work best for all species are the ones made with 1/4" foam...using about half of one of the 1 1/2" foam cylinders and using a Dremel tool to round off the front and back edges after cutting.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I slit the foam with a razor blade and then use a strong fisherman's super glue to bond it to the hook. Then I use some hot melt glue on the bottom end to make a slight extension and a pointed end.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]This size foam works well on size 2 ring eye hooks (Matzuo Aberdeen) but can be fitted on any kind and size hook you want...including jig hooks.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[idahopanfish]

thankyou
[signature]

[flygoddess]

A question, Now fly fishing we have many flies that do what you are like the famous BOOBIE or Gurglers, or the tadpole.
All made with foam for reverse action and fished with sinking lines.

Now that hot glue...doesn't that effect the floatability? I don't know maybe the glue floats but I wouldn't think so.
What if you laid down a thread base then used waterproof super glue like Zap-A-Gap.
Don't get me wrong...you are on to something and they definitely work, just a variation maybe.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]The hot melt glue is just about neutral buoyancy. Doesn't seem to affect the floatation at all. And, I only use a very small amount to shape the rear portion of the jig. Even the small fligs will float a whole crawler.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have been making "PBJ's"...painted body jigs...for years also. I wrap the bodies with craft cord and then use paint and glitter to create the lure body. I also tie flies using that concept. It does work, but it does not float. That is the reason for the foam.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[ParrMark]

Pat, with your flig and crawler rigs do you sometimes have problems with short-strikes? Do you ever rig stinger hooks on them or find that to be beneficial?
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Of course there are bites that do not get the hook, but most hits are solid and pull the rod down. With those Matzuo hooks, with the super sharp points, most good bites result in positive hookups.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I use mostly smaller pieces of crawler, but if I were to drag a flig behind a spinner or a bottom bouncer...using a whole crawler...I would probably rig at least a double hook rig. Both walleyes and perch are pretty adept at getting away with the goods without getting the hook.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Most of the time I fish them very slowly, only moving the tube a bit at a time, as I vertical jig with my second rod. But, whenever I move the tube it wiggles and jiggles the flig and seems to really appeal to the fishies.[/#0000ff]
[signature]

[flygoddess]

Those are some small Jigs. Bet they are great for Ice fishing.
I don't think I would try casting them with those jig heads[pirate]
Interesting on how well you say these things float.
I use a hopper dropper set up allot that is a foam hopper or ant, usually at least an inch long, with a tungsten bead nymph or Chironomid.
If I use an equal or slightly smaller dropper, it does pull the foam dry down.
It doesn't appear buoyant enough to float a chunk of worm, but I have never tried[laugh]
Here are the Tadpoles, but they would be tuff to cast with a spinning outfit...they weigh nothing.



but on a sinking line, they are killer. Float up on the pause and dive on the strip.
[signature]