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06/09/2017 04:46PM
Hi,
We are traveling with the Boy Scouts to Boundary Waters - June21-july1. Can you suggest a selection of lures/baits that we should put together for our trip. I know we can probably buy stuff in Ely but maybe cheaper to get a selection of lures from Walmart etc.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Adrian
We are traveling with the Boy Scouts to Boundary Waters - June21-july1. Can you suggest a selection of lures/baits that we should put together for our trip. I know we can probably buy stuff in Ely but maybe cheaper to get a selection of lures from Walmart etc.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Adrian
06/09/2017 05:40PM
I am not a fishing expert. But perhaps that is a good thing, because I will tell you what I have had fun with and not so much fun with. So this selection may not be your common choice of many BWCA experts.
First, I have had a blast with some top water lures in the BWCA.
A medium to small Hula Popper and a Zara Spook Jr or Puppy are so much fun to catch bass on! Pike will attack them too! Nothing like having fish fly out of the water on a strike!
The first year I went, we caught a ton of pike on some Rapala floaters. The ones that suspend in the water. The shiny blue one seem to be a favorite of the Pike. They are easy to fish with. We were primarily in 4-6 feet of water. Caught tons of Pike.
Last year, we were catching walleye, smaller to mid size, but big enough to eat, on a hook, bobber and a leach. Very simple, nothing fancy and we caught many!
Now I personal am not a fan of using a jig. I am not very good at it, and I seem to get them snagged in rocks and on stuff all the time. Very annoying to pull up anchor, move to un-snag, only to get snagged again a few cast later.
So, depending on the skill of those fishing, you may want to consider the lures you use, and consider the fun factor. Take a variety to share!
First, I have had a blast with some top water lures in the BWCA.
A medium to small Hula Popper and a Zara Spook Jr or Puppy are so much fun to catch bass on! Pike will attack them too! Nothing like having fish fly out of the water on a strike!
The first year I went, we caught a ton of pike on some Rapala floaters. The ones that suspend in the water. The shiny blue one seem to be a favorite of the Pike. They are easy to fish with. We were primarily in 4-6 feet of water. Caught tons of Pike.
Last year, we were catching walleye, smaller to mid size, but big enough to eat, on a hook, bobber and a leach. Very simple, nothing fancy and we caught many!
Now I personal am not a fan of using a jig. I am not very good at it, and I seem to get them snagged in rocks and on stuff all the time. Very annoying to pull up anchor, move to un-snag, only to get snagged again a few cast later.
So, depending on the skill of those fishing, you may want to consider the lures you use, and consider the fun factor. Take a variety to share!
06/09/2017 09:01PM
Mostly you'll want to make sure you have lures that can be fished at different depths so you can fish different parts of the water column. If I were putting together a basic list of lures/baits, it might look something like this:
Shad rap size 9 in blue and chrome
A pack of Zulus or two with large swivels and some worm hooks
A topwater of your choice (I like poppers or torpedo topwaters)
Original Rapala F9 in black and chrome
Daredevle spoon
Size 2 hooks and small split shots with live leeches (TGO method)
That basic list should allow you to fish basically every depth for every species. Have a few extra weights if you need to get any of these lures a little deeper.
Shad rap size 9 in blue and chrome
A pack of Zulus or two with large swivels and some worm hooks
A topwater of your choice (I like poppers or torpedo topwaters)
Original Rapala F9 in black and chrome
Daredevle spoon
Size 2 hooks and small split shots with live leeches (TGO method)
That basic list should allow you to fish basically every depth for every species. Have a few extra weights if you need to get any of these lures a little deeper.
06/09/2017 09:06PM
Good advice from ray. That time of year top water lure like ones described above will keep those kids entertained. I will try to give you some hints on the areas to look for in using them.
I would take the kiddos out in the evening, like two hours before sunset. Usually the wind is calm and provides a great view of sunsets. Cast those top water lures and some lures that dive shallow up towards the shoreline, like up to the bank without hooking a branch. This will, most likely, be productive. If they want to fish longer, more power to them. Remember this time of year are long days and if they can withstand the bugs its the best time to fish. If you can find some current, doesn't have to much, jig directly under the canoe.
Look for 15 foot of water during all of the above hints.
I would take the kiddos out in the evening, like two hours before sunset. Usually the wind is calm and provides a great view of sunsets. Cast those top water lures and some lures that dive shallow up towards the shoreline, like up to the bank without hooking a branch. This will, most likely, be productive. If they want to fish longer, more power to them. Remember this time of year are long days and if they can withstand the bugs its the best time to fish. If you can find some current, doesn't have to much, jig directly under the canoe.
Look for 15 foot of water during all of the above hints.
06/10/2017 05:25AM
Boy Scout troop? The first thing that comes to my mind is somebody wearing a hook and all the ensuing hassles. So, stay with me, I would have a meeting focused on that. First off every one who wants to fish must have a plastic fish gripper. Around $10 and will solve many problems. Next I would ban any lures with 3 gangs of treble hooks.
A word about pike......they will often come in easily enough and remain seemingly docile at boat side only to explode as you reach for them. Anglers should not set their rod down to work with them. Pike are ready to be handled when their mouths stay open. If their mouth is clenched tightly shut they still have some juice. A pair of needle nose pliers does help in removing the hook.
Now, about lure choices. I am assuming you will fish lures as opposed to live bait? I like live bait but there is a bit of extra attention but it can be very effective.
You will only need 4 lure types
1) Zman grub and 1/8 and 1/4 jig heads. I am personally a fan of Kalins Mugambo grubs but the Zman grub is made from Elaztech and will last many, many, many etc, etc,..fish. Plus it is far less apt to slide down the shank of the jig after a few fish and removes the need for messy super glues. The jig heads need to have premium Mustad accu sharp black nickel hooks with barbed "keepers" to help keep the grub in place. Lots of guys like white but I like natural colors. This combination is quite versatile being able to fish shallow and deep and will catch everything. Plus it has a single hook promoting safety. I would have 6 1/8oz jig heads and 6 1/4 oz heads and 2 paks of grubs. Remove the paint from the jig "eye" where the line is tied.......this is important to help shrink the diameter of the tie off to better match the mono diameter.
2) Berkley Frenzy Shad type baits.........despite being quite inexpensive compared to other crank baits they are quite effective and come equipped with a very effective hook. I would have 3 per man.
3) Pop R...........there are lots of top water lures which will work. The Heddon Spooks are good but require a certain "knack" to get the most out of them. The Heddon torpedos are also good but come equipped with a fat wire tie off which makes for poor connections with 8lb line ( you are using 8lb line aren't you). The Pop R is easy to work and again not especially expensive. I would have 3 per man as small pike will take at least one of them away.
4) Chatterbait.........this vibrating blade type lure is very versatile and quite deadly and will catch anything and everything. It is also very snag resistant and fished near the bottom will catch plenty of walleye. Add the aforementioned grub as a trailer. A single hook lure which puts out plenty of vibration.
Your guys should have fresh 8lb line. Examine the rods and if any are stiff then 10lb line should be used. It is crucial that the troop know how to tie good knots. All work must be tested for strength. I have given many a newbie knot a slight tug and watched it break. Instructions should be given to tie the 8lb line onto the split ring in the area where the ring is only one thickness of wire. Yup, that one little spot.........reason being is that 8lb line will not "stick" well to the double thickness of wire plus the oval shape of the double wire is not so good. Don't worry, 8lb will not cause the ring to come apart.
Your guys might think that wire leaders are required for north country fishing. Such is not the case. You will lose some stuff for sure but you will still catch at least 75% of the pike which bite. Fishing pre made wire leaders will surely be a reason for failure although specialty super thin leaders can be used with success due to their hair like thickness (knot-2-kinky) but these must be built via the user.
I would also advise against spoons and spinners due to their propensity to destroy spools of line. If they are used then Sampo ball bearing swivels are a must.
I am not a fan of braid for a scout troop. They will slice themselves and have a hard time getting lures unsnagged. Plus the visibility will reduce their success. Think 8lb trilene Xl, make sure it is fresh and spooled correctly. A back up 300 yd spool would be a wise thing for the Scoutmaster to have (isn't a scout prepared ;-)
Good luck
A word about pike......they will often come in easily enough and remain seemingly docile at boat side only to explode as you reach for them. Anglers should not set their rod down to work with them. Pike are ready to be handled when their mouths stay open. If their mouth is clenched tightly shut they still have some juice. A pair of needle nose pliers does help in removing the hook.
Now, about lure choices. I am assuming you will fish lures as opposed to live bait? I like live bait but there is a bit of extra attention but it can be very effective.
You will only need 4 lure types
1) Zman grub and 1/8 and 1/4 jig heads. I am personally a fan of Kalins Mugambo grubs but the Zman grub is made from Elaztech and will last many, many, many etc, etc,..fish. Plus it is far less apt to slide down the shank of the jig after a few fish and removes the need for messy super glues. The jig heads need to have premium Mustad accu sharp black nickel hooks with barbed "keepers" to help keep the grub in place. Lots of guys like white but I like natural colors. This combination is quite versatile being able to fish shallow and deep and will catch everything. Plus it has a single hook promoting safety. I would have 6 1/8oz jig heads and 6 1/4 oz heads and 2 paks of grubs. Remove the paint from the jig "eye" where the line is tied.......this is important to help shrink the diameter of the tie off to better match the mono diameter.
2) Berkley Frenzy Shad type baits.........despite being quite inexpensive compared to other crank baits they are quite effective and come equipped with a very effective hook. I would have 3 per man.
3) Pop R...........there are lots of top water lures which will work. The Heddon Spooks are good but require a certain "knack" to get the most out of them. The Heddon torpedos are also good but come equipped with a fat wire tie off which makes for poor connections with 8lb line ( you are using 8lb line aren't you). The Pop R is easy to work and again not especially expensive. I would have 3 per man as small pike will take at least one of them away.
4) Chatterbait.........this vibrating blade type lure is very versatile and quite deadly and will catch anything and everything. It is also very snag resistant and fished near the bottom will catch plenty of walleye. Add the aforementioned grub as a trailer. A single hook lure which puts out plenty of vibration.
Your guys should have fresh 8lb line. Examine the rods and if any are stiff then 10lb line should be used. It is crucial that the troop know how to tie good knots. All work must be tested for strength. I have given many a newbie knot a slight tug and watched it break. Instructions should be given to tie the 8lb line onto the split ring in the area where the ring is only one thickness of wire. Yup, that one little spot.........reason being is that 8lb line will not "stick" well to the double thickness of wire plus the oval shape of the double wire is not so good. Don't worry, 8lb will not cause the ring to come apart.
Your guys might think that wire leaders are required for north country fishing. Such is not the case. You will lose some stuff for sure but you will still catch at least 75% of the pike which bite. Fishing pre made wire leaders will surely be a reason for failure although specialty super thin leaders can be used with success due to their hair like thickness (knot-2-kinky) but these must be built via the user.
I would also advise against spoons and spinners due to their propensity to destroy spools of line. If they are used then Sampo ball bearing swivels are a must.
I am not a fan of braid for a scout troop. They will slice themselves and have a hard time getting lures unsnagged. Plus the visibility will reduce their success. Think 8lb trilene Xl, make sure it is fresh and spooled correctly. A back up 300 yd spool would be a wise thing for the Scoutmaster to have (isn't a scout prepared ;-)
Good luck
Lets Go!
06/10/2017 06:34AM
All good advise. Wow.......all those scouts throwing lures. You could spend a meeting playing "Jarts" with casting plugs.
Surely you will bring leeches (easy to keep and divvy up).
If it ends up being a quick stop or two at department stores:
Short #8 #6 hooks . Small split sinkers . Small bobbers.
Husky jerk 10
Original rapala F9 gold. F11 silver
Zara Spook or spook junior
Jitterbug
Some short fat minnow cranks . Some shallow ( 2-4'. 5-7 ft. So on to 15' "dives to" .Maybe troll with these deep ones while paddling. Maybe not :) (I imagine a fleet convoy of boys)
Mepps #2 or 3 spinners
There went an easy hundred but should outfit at least 7 boys unless they are casting under trees!
Yep...."share a variety" and bring leeches.
Surely you will bring leeches (easy to keep and divvy up).
If it ends up being a quick stop or two at department stores:
Short #8 #6 hooks . Small split sinkers . Small bobbers.
Husky jerk 10
Original rapala F9 gold. F11 silver
Zara Spook or spook junior
Jitterbug
Some short fat minnow cranks . Some shallow ( 2-4'. 5-7 ft. So on to 15' "dives to" .Maybe troll with these deep ones while paddling. Maybe not :) (I imagine a fleet convoy of boys)
Mepps #2 or 3 spinners
There went an easy hundred but should outfit at least 7 boys unless they are casting under trees!
Yep...."share a variety" and bring leeches.
Not to Hurry-Not to Worry
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