"Bean Outdoors": Spring Steelhead

"Bean Outdoors": Spring Steelhead

Keeping it Simple

   One of the most simple, and affective ways to fish without breaking the bank is simply live bait!
I don't think there is literally a species out there, that there isn't an effective live bait technique that will produce fish, and give the most inexperienced angler a chance at a trophy.

 This trout fell for a red worm .

Lets face it, not everyone is a pro fisherman, or has the time to learn all the different techniques and know- how, that only experience, and years on the water can give you...nor do alot of us have the interest in fishing, to spend our hard earned money on fishing lures and equipment etc., especially if we use it only a few times a year:)
If you want a decent Musky lure your looking at 20 - 30 dollars. Oh and you cant just get one of each style because different colours produce fish on different days, as do factors like water clarity, temperature, structure and species which are just a few factors that come into play in deciding what lure to buy or use. It gets a little confusing for the novice angler, or for people who couldn't care less and just want to catch fish and relax. Live bait is definitely the most consistent way to catch fish, and Ive never seen a weather condition, or body of water where a lively minnow or baitfish wasn't effective, and anyone can fish it.

Here are few pieces of advice for live bait fishing that will land you more fish!

The smaller the float you can get away with using, the better!
The bigger the float the more likely the fish will spook, or feel unnatural resistance and spit the hook.
Great floats are balsa wood floats, and any float with a thinner profile to reduce resistance.
The classic red and whites aren't  recommended :)

STRUCTURE - Always look for structure, not just with live bait, but with any fishing. Cast your bait in and around docks, weeds, rocks, logs, points, shoals, drops, etc.
Cast a lively minnow around any of the above and chance are you'll get bit.

Make sure your bait is fresh and lively. Minnow, worms, leeches are a few that work great. Depending on  your areas regulation, you may be able to use crayfish. They cant be beat for smallmouths!                         Get a good bait container. Your local tackle shop can help you get one that suits your needs.

Always adjust the depth of your float according to the depth the fish are biting. If your not sure, a foot off  bottom is a good place to start. I cant count the times I've watched anglers throw a worm 6 inches below a    float that's the size of a tennis ball, only to have it drift ten feet above the fishes strike zone.

Investing in a worm blower can be deadly to float your worm just off bottom when bottom fishing with    weight. Just put your weight a foot or two above the hook to let the worm float just off bottom.

The smaller the hook you can get away with the better. It lets the bait move more naturally. There is a better chance the fish will hang on to it after the initial strike, and  wont kill your bait as fast.

Only use enough weight so that your bait will naturally sink, and don't bunch the weights right near the hook

In most cases a spinning rod outfit is the best bet for live bait fishing.                                                       When fishing for fish like pike and Muskie, use a heavy fluorocarbon leader instead of wire. It will give the  bait more natural movement.

 Live bait fishing can provide fun for you and the whole family...without taking a chunk out of the wallet.
So next time your scouring the box looking for something that will work on a day the fish aren't really biting....
Go natural and try live bait. I'm not saying it always out fishes lures, or is better...I am a lure fisherman myself,  but as far as "keeping it simple" and something that will work on a consistent basis for kids and adults alike. It cant be beat.. .

Please remember to always check the bait regulations for the area you are fishing.
Cheers and Tight lines!

Tips to catching your trophy

When approaching a location that I know holds numerous fish, I reach in my arsenal and pick out the biggest bait I can find for that particular species on that day. Reason being in most cases the smaller aggressive fish will attack your bait and get to it first. I find the more small ones you catch in a particular area the less of a chance of getting the big ones for they have been spooked by all the commotion. This is more common and is less likely to be a factor in dirty water conditions, however next time your fishing on a clear river or lake, catching lots of small fish. Go bigger, it may just be the difference between catching your trophy or not.

These chunky Cameron smallmouths were caught on big spinnerbaits and small musky bucktails .

Chasing Silver

Ive spent the last two months chasing silver.....
Chasing spring Steelhead that is....Fingers numb as I re-tie. Avoiding ice, and cussing as I stretch over the pier, only to have my fish break lose.
Not all circumstances end this way, but if your an angler that has ever fished the Ganaraska rivermouth in February you know what I'm talking about.

If you are willing to put up with a little cold, you can experience some of the best "OPEN WATER" fishing before anyone else,,  at the mouths of some of the rivers on the Great Lakes. Don't want to name them, as Ive gave away one of the best ones already...No one likes a huge crowd...especially Steelhead fisherman, just ask a few:)
Just do a little research, and experience fishing that some people pay hundreds for!
A positive attitude, and a thermos of coffee and you can have one of your best days fishing, while others only dream of open water:)

to be continued...

Musky Hunting on Cameron Lake. Fenelon Falls, Ontario.

Fish of 10, 000 casts,..... or whatever the number may be.

Those of us that are lucky enough to fish the Kawartha Lakes, may disagree with this. Located about an hour and half north of Toronto, and easily accessible, this chain of lakes offers clean clear waters, and one of your best chances to hooking into one of the most respected fish you can catch in freshwater. 

Your best bet for a chance at catching one of these elusive fish may be to give one of these lakes a try!
Buckhorn, Cameron, balsam, Sturgeon, Pigeon and Rice lake are just a few of these lakes that are worth exploring.

They are not known for size, however many 50 plus inchers have been caught in these lakes.

For numbers however, im not sure there is any lakes that can compare... Multi Musky days are not uncommon. Double digit days can be had. 

Like most Musky anglers already know, patience and persistence always plays a key role.. You could go out for 6 hours and catch 3 Musky.. they may all come in the last hour of the day however:)

I will get into lures and presentations in a later article...however I can tell you from experience... Kawartha Muskys are on the most part eager to show interest in most presentations that match the local forage in the area! 

Ive caught some of my biggest Muskies while fishing Bass, on common lures and simple presentations.. 

Clear waters, little traffic, and lots of Muskys to be had, are just a few things this chain of lakes has to offer. 

Cameron Lake is definately a lake to check out, even though its size may throw some anglers off..  It dosent get much pressure and there are lots of Muskys to be had..... Dont want to give to much out! Tight Lines Always!

Spring Steelhead