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PatrickE
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01/15/2018 07:20PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'll be making my first trip in about 20 years up the the south arm of Knife early June. My fishing experience consists of a few trips as a kid but nothing recently. In preparing for this trip, my excitement for the fishing has grown almost to an addiction, which my wife has found quite entertaining. I've started amassing gear, rod and reel are set, and I'm reading Michael Furtman's Fishing Guide. While I have about 200 questions, one is centered around line choice. I stopped in Bass Pro and the very helpful guy behind the counter set me up with a 12 lb braided line, said I would want a 10 lb monofilament leader. I've read alot on the forums about how a leader is a good way to go, others say not needed...what I don't get is how I'm reading the Northern Pike will eat anything and there's not one lure that is specific for Pike. Multiple sources have said I will need a steel leader and the Pike will readily chew through a mono line. Are there numerous lures lost to these Pike when they are the unintended targets? I understand a metal leader will scare some fish away but don't know when it's appropriate to use one.

Attached is a pick of some of the lures I've assembled. The bottom right are premade Walleye rigs, and the Twisters up top right are 3 of about 50. Not pictured are split shot and some swivels.

While I'm not aiming for any one species, I would just love to fish everyday and catch what I can. Anything you guys would add to the mix? Any help would be appreciated.
 
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cyclones30
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01/15/2018 07:51PM  
Oh my, so much to cover and so little time. 12lb braid is plenty big and you can use a mono leader. As long as you're going to that work, I'd make it a fluorocarbon leader. If you tie direct though it's not the end of the world.

Yes you can tie on a steel leader, especially if you're throwing something large or shiny to go after them. I wouldn't have one on for your twisters or other small lures.

You're lineup so far in the pic....lots of old posts on pictures of what people bring along. I'd add a white spinner bait and a popper or buzzbait.
 
PatrickE
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01/15/2018 08:25PM  
Thanks for the info. It is a 10 lb fluorocarbon leader. I've loved reading through the old posts and lure lists. It's a constant struggle not to buy every single lure a poster says is a "sure fire". There's a sneaking fear I know is ill-founded that I'll get up there and won't have the right lure to catch fish. Seems like half the fun is trying all these different setups and seeing what works, although I know that a leech and hook may be all I need...
 
carmike
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01/15/2018 08:27PM  
Pike will cut both mono and braid. Adding a leader will save you some lures, but it'll also cost you some bites, especially in the very clear water on Knife. I usually push my luck by not using a leader, and then if I start losing too many lures, I switch. You can also do some research on fluorocarbon or tieable titanium leaders, which aren't as bulky as the cheaper steel leaders.

In early June, you can have some tremendous topwater action for smallmouth (and pike), so don't forget to throw in a handful of buzzbaits, prop baits, poppers, etc.
 
gymcoachdon
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01/15/2018 09:18PM  
In 3 trips up North (BWCA x 2, and Quetico last year), I remember losing 2 lures to what I believe were pike. One was a jig that I felt a bump, set, and had nothing. reeled it in to an empty line. The other was trolling a $10 dollar deep diving crankbait. I had a big one on for about 10 seconds, then gone.
I probably landed 25 pike from 18-33 inches last year, and everyone I saw I landed.
I guess I'm saying you will probably be fine without a steel or titanium leader, but it does sting when that pricey lure goes bye-bye.
 
01/15/2018 09:22PM  
The only time I use a leader is when I am fishing for Northerns. I designate a rod or two for this purpose, although I seldom fish for Northerns any more. 10 or 12 pound clear trilene XL is my line of choice. I NEVER use a leader when fishing for anything else. For Walleyes, 6 or 8 pound Trilene XL Clear is my line of choice. I am a firm believer in using clear line up north. With a good drag system that is set correctly , 6 pound will handle any Walleye that you hook. For my laker outfits 10 pound clear is also my choice. Even in summer I rarely fish deeper then 30 feet for lake trout. The clear mono does just fine. I don’t mind a little stretch in the line, sometimes I think it helps.
 
BearRaid
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01/16/2018 06:43AM  
+1 on the clear mono. I guess I am old fashioned but I have been using nothing but 8lb clear Trilene XL for years and have rarely been broken off. Caught a 42 inch Northern on it once. I have been bit off occasionally. A #11 floating silver and black Rapala has been our best top water lure for big top water Smallies. I haven't tried Quetico Mikes Zulu techniques but you might look into his info because by all accounts it works great.
 
murphylakejim
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01/16/2018 07:37AM  
walllee: "The only time I use a leader is when I am fishing for Northerns. I designate a rod or two for this purpose, although I seldom fish for Northerns any more. 10 or 12 pound clear trilene XL is my line of choice. I NEVER use a leader when fishing for anything else. For Walleyes, 6 or 8 pound Trilene XL Clear is my line of choice. I am a firm believer in using clear line up north. With a good drag system that is set correctly , 6 pound will handle any Walleye that you hook. For my laker outfits 10 pound clear is also my choice. Even in summer I rarely fish deeper then 30 feet for lake trout. The clear mono does just fine. I don’t mind a little stretch in the line, sometimes I think it helps."


+1

If you do want to target big pike, get a designated rod and reel with heavier line or at least a titanium leader and much bigger spoons and crank baits.

If you want to catch smallmouth bring zulus (quetico Mike is our Zulu guru and more info can be found via search function) and also some top water lures. I like hula poppers but they have to be fished in exactly the right areas in the bwca.

Over all looks like a pretty good newbie kit you have put together.
 
Guest Paddler
  
01/16/2018 10:09AM  

I use 8 lb. mono and no leader 90% of the time. If I start getting bit off , say 2 or 3 times, I'll throw a leader on. You'd be surprised the number of pike you can catch with no leader.
 
QueticoMike
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01/16/2018 10:52AM  
If you would like to read my article on Zulu fishing and you probably would also like to read my article called Grand Slam lures which covers lures for Pike, Walleye, Lake Trout and Smallmoth, send an email to - queticomike@yahoo.com - and request the articles.

Your lure selection for pike looks good. You might want to consider a Lucky 13 for top water pike action. Bigger spinner baits with buck tails or double willow leaf spinner baits also works well. The bigger the lure, the bigger the fish at times. There is not a lure in my tackle box that a pike will not hit. If you don't like losing your baits to pike buy a titanium leader. They cost more than steel but never kink, they are stronger, and have a thinner diameter compared to steel. Most of the time I don't use leaders until I start losing productive lures and can't afford to lose any more of them. Duplicate your lures and if you are down to one of a kind, consider a leader.

I mostly use 10 pound Trilene Clear XL and seldom if ever had a fish on that broke my line due to the fight.

Good luck on your next trip!
 
mastertangler
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01/16/2018 11:16AM  
Really good advice so far.

I will merely re emphasize what has been already stated.

In early June on the clear waters of knife lake I would put a big priority on top water action. You can put your braid to use here. Long casts are the ticket. If money is no object the smallies are very susceptible to the "Yellow Magic" popper. Fish it without wire but have something handy to dry your eyes when a pike takes your $15 dollar popper. Whopper Ploppers are also a good choice and double nicely as a trolled lure way back with the rod high in the air to keep as much of the braid out of the water as possible. Do not shy away from larger top waters such as QM lucky 13.

Speaking of QM you would be hard pressed to do better than his Zulu method IMO especially for smallmouths this time of year. Pay particular attention to the rigging method and do not deviate. The small swivel placed 12 to 18" above the slug is critical for two very important reasons. Firstly it oreintates the direction of the lure downward. Otherwise, when fished aggressively the Zulu pops to the surface and loses a great deal of its effectiveness. Secondly the swivel mimics a prey item that the Zulu is "chasing". This chase is a definite trigger for predators. Bear in mind that the mono connection between swivel and worm hook is your weak link. There is no shock absorbing stretch here. 10 lb mono is what you want here and I would advocate 10lb clear mono as the main running line as well. Zulus are often fished with some aggression with occasional pauses so you can get away with heavier line. The "walk the dog" retrieve is just subsurface and does catch big ones......10 lb line is the correct choice. If you go 8 be prepared to re-tie often or get busted off. This time of year you could fish Zulus exclusively for smallmouths.

As per walleye 10lb line is to heavy to fool bigger fish. I like 6lb clear mono and live bait. Familiarize yourself with slip sinkers and slip bobbers. Lighted slip bobbers are fun from camp at night. Walleye can also be taken with crank baits such as shad raps. I am a proponent of light tackle when fishing cranks and use 8lb and often 6lb in clear water such as knife. Trouble is however that 6 lb ties very poorly to split rings. I do not own any walleye crank baits which are equipped with split rings as that requires 10lb line to tie off too. 10 lb line hurts your action when compared against lighter line especially with balsa lures. Replace your split rings with fas-snaps in medium size. Better physics for the knot.

For pike I don't mess around and have a dedicated bait caster with 40, 50 or even 65lb braid. I like 60 lb fluorocarbon leaders which are 10ft long connected to the braid using the FG knot (salt strong video on Utube). Another good lure is a black Octo kalin grub put on a sand eel jig head (Hogy lures, 1 oz, burple color). This combination has some size and yet can be fished with gear a bit more typical of canoe country. A typical bass flipping stick would be ideal to toss this around.

Laker fishing should not be discounted on Knife. They ar there and can be caught with some perseverance. In other words you have to try and catch them. I like fishing for them mid day when other fishing might be slower. Rapala tail dancers in the large size / rainbow trout finish trolled near main lake basins or out from islands or underwater humps is the way to go but who knows where you will run into them. Let ALOT of line out and troll medium speed. Rod holders are helpful and I angle my rod at a 45 degree angle back towards my lure. This is so the rod is already "loaded" and the stiff butt part of the blank will be engaged when it comes time for the hooks to sink home. Otherwise, if straight out from the boat (90 degrees) then the rod will flex excessively before any force is brought to bear thus giving the fish time to reject your offering before becoming hooked.

Your biggest obstacle to success is over tackling. You can still use your braid but I like 10ft leaders of fluorocarbon. The FG knot is the slimmest strongest knot out there despite any naysayers (with all due respect etc. etc. ). But mostly I like clear mono in clear water. 10lb for Zulus and faster type applications and lighter for live bait and finesse crank baits. Braid for top water and pike. Build your own leaders with Knot-2-kinky in 15lb test. Still very stealthy. Beware of cheap wire leaders......build your leaders with tiny spro swivels and cross lock snaps.

Sorry for blathering on but I had an hour to kill here in Burger Fi. Good luck, have fun.
 
Rich Mahogony
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01/16/2018 12:18PM  

I caught this with 8 lb. mono and no leader. I've never been a fan of the braided line. I don't like tying knots with it and I prefer how the mono casts.

 
PatrickE
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01/16/2018 07:42PM  
Nice fish Rich!

You guys are awesome and this is really helpful. Mike, I emailed you separately to try to get those articles. I'm going to continue to grow the lure list until departure and I'll try to keep you guys informed once I get back with hopefully some good pics of catches.
 
QueticoMike
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01/17/2018 08:35AM  


Caught this one on a Lucky 13 with no leader. I was using 30 pound Berkley Fireline. The no stretch line really makes a big lure like a Lucky 13 pop on the surface.
 
AG4
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01/17/2018 10:20AM  
This might be the first pic I've seen Mike smiling in!

BTW - Thanks again for the articles QM.
 
QueticoMike
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01/17/2018 01:16PM  
AG4: "This might be the first pic I've seen Mike smiling in!


BTW - Thanks again for the articles QM."


Funny and pretty much true. Hopefully I will catch some fish this year that make me smile :)

You're most welcome.
 
01/18/2018 11:18AM  
I use #6 or #8 Trilene Clear XL as well. I have caught everything but lakers with it and never had a break yet unless you count snags as breaks.

Only thing I would add is I have found the #6 or #7 Silver Shad Rap to be deadly on smallies. If in the right spot it's just as deadly with walleye, and pike love them too. Never caught a laker with it but I've never tried.

Once in a lake heading towards Knife from the Gunflint side we caught over 40 smallies in less than 4 hours. Everything from 3 inches long to 21 inches long. They just couldn't resist it.

Another time, using the same lurer, on Sea Gull River in May, my father-in-law and I caught about 40 walleye in 45 minutes. It seems to work well for us.

But I think everyone would agree that if you are in the right place at the right time most quality lurers will catch you some fish.

 
PatrickE
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01/24/2018 06:58PM  
After careful deliberation (lets be honest, I just bought most every lure you guys recommended), here's the additions to the fleet. My wife was less than pleased to see me opening more packages of lures, but it's like Christmas every time one comes. Thanks again for all the suggestions, especially QM...the articles are awesome. Here's to catching some fish!

 
bassnet
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01/24/2018 08:33PM  
I’m going to get VERY specific, pay attention....no distractions. Ready? If it’s a lure you want to keep, use a leader. As to line, i take 8 lb. mono, and a 4 lb. extra spool....because i have for 35 years, it works for me, and I’m an old far——....guy. If you want, I can make up some very believable ??.....you know, the extra stretch of mono is a security blanket in case a big fish makes a run near the boat....but really, it’s a personal preference. OK, old guy GREAT ADVICE moment: bring an extra spool!! Oh yea, and after you sharpen a hook, do it again....because if you lose a 24-25 inch Smallmouth because the hook came back out..........
 
QueticoMike
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01/25/2018 07:08AM  
bassnet: "I’m going to get VERY specific, pay attention....no distractions. Ready? If it’s a lure you want to keep, use a leader. As to line, i take 8 lb. mono, and a 4 lb. extra spool....because i have for 35 years, it works for me, and I’m an old far——....guy. If you want, I can make up some very believable ??.....you know, the extra stretch of mono is a security blanket in case a big fish makes a run near the boat....but really, it’s a personal preference. OK, old guy GREAT ADVICE moment: bring an extra spool!! Oh yea, and after you sharpen a hook, do it again....because if you lose a 24-25 inch Smallmouth because the hook came back out.........."


I'm going to be even more specific.....if you are going to use a leader, get a titanium leader. Sure they cost more than steel, but they are stronger, have a smaller diameter and do not kink up like a steel leader. They last forever unless you snag it somewhere you can't get it back from.
 
missmolly
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01/25/2018 07:18AM  
Patrick, if you don't mind sharing your snail mail address, I'll send you dozens of free lures. If you're interested, I'll photograph the assortment this afternoon and let you see what you'll be getting for free. Here's a pic of a pike caught on 6-pound test with no steel leader. In the pic, I'm fishing from an abandoned, leaky boat that I commandeered in Canada to specifically get a photo of a nice pike after releasing many big pike beside the canoe because I was too skeerdy-cat to bring them aboard.





 
QueticoMike
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01/25/2018 10:10AM  
missmolly: "Patrick, if you don't mind sharing your snail mail address, I'll send you dozens of free lures. If you're interested, I'll photograph the assortment this afternoon and let you see what you'll be getting for free. Here's a pic of a pike caught on 6-pound test with no steel leader. In the pic, I'm fishing from an abandoned, leaky boat that I commandeered in Canada to specifically get a photo of a nice pike after releasing many big pike beside the canoe because I was too skeerdy-cat to bring them aboard.





"


Did the motor work on this abandon, leaky boat? When I read your post I imagined an old wooden leaky boat from the 50s found in the woods with an old wooden oar or two attached.
 
missmolly
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01/25/2018 10:37AM  
We brought a motor, Mike. The wooden boats up north are down to their ribs. They look like skeletons.
 
CrookedPaddler1
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01/25/2018 10:39AM  
you are getting some great advice on here. Unless I am specifically targeting northern pike I don't use a leader and I land probably 95% of the pike I catch without a leader! My experience with losing pike tends to be that they do not cut thought the line with their teeth but if you give them any slack and they are able to roll and slice the line with their gills.

I usually fish with a high quality 8 pound test mono. I would absolutely go with the best quality line you can get. after every northern you catch run your finger up and down the first three feet of the line and feel for any nick's in the line. If you feel any, but off the lure and retie. I would still do that after ever couple of walleyes or bass.

 
QueticoMike
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01/25/2018 11:14AM  
missmolly: "We brought a motor, Mike. The wooden boats up north are down to their ribs. They look like skeletons. "


I was going to ask if you brought a motor with you, but I felt that would sound like I was being a smart-xxx. Nice pike! :)
 
missmolly
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01/25/2018 12:36PM  
It was a Polaris missile pike. He hit my surface Rap with such speed that it, the fish, came completely out of the water and landed on a rock. It flopped a few times before it reached the water again. I'm just glad that I got a pike pic...finally!
 
PatrickE
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01/25/2018 07:23PM  
missmolly: "Patrick, if you don't mind sharing your snail mail address, I'll send you dozens of free lures. If you're interested, I'll photograph the assortment this afternoon and let you see what you'll be getting for free. Here's a pic of a pike caught on 6-pound test with no steel leader. In the pic, I'm fishing from an abandoned, leaky boat that I commandeered in Canada to specifically get a photo of a nice pike after releasing many big pike beside the canoe because I was too skeerdy-cat to bring them aboard.

"


I did invest in a few titanium leaders in addition to some 10 lb SeaGuar Red Label Fluorocarbon (hopefully this is decent? Guy at BassPro picked it out for me). My wife also just surprised me with a Yeti Panga dry duffle (today is my birthday). I'm already so excited for getting up there!

Molly, You are absolutely too kind. I don't mind posting my address and would be thrilled with a few additions to the collection if they can help me land a pike like that! The only condition is you have to list your return address so I can send you a thank you.
Patrick Emerson
1410 Sovereign Ct, Orlando, FL 32804
 
cyclones30
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01/25/2018 07:50PM  
PatrickE: "After careful deliberation (lets be honest, I just bought most every lure you guys recommended), here's the additions to the fleet. My wife was less than pleased to see me opening more packages of lures, but it's like Christmas every time one comes. Thanks again for all the suggestions, especially QM...the articles are awesome. Here's to catching some fish!


"


You've learned well, that is a nice lineup for general BW fishing. Well done
 
QueticoMike
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01/26/2018 09:00AM  
Happy Birthday!
 
TheOnion
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01/26/2018 11:27AM  
Those lures look pretty good. The only thing I would add is a few Crawdad pattern lures. A lot of BWCA lakes are full of rusty colored crawdads and the smallies use them as a primary food source.
 
PatrickE
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01/27/2018 08:26AM  
QueticoMike: "Happy Birthday! "


Thanks Mike!
 
missmolly
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01/28/2018 09:52AM  
Okay, Patrick, I'm sorry it took me a few times to sort through lures and find yours, but my life has been akimbo recently. Anyway, the lures I'm sending you aren't junk. There are a lot of Gary Yamamoto soft baits and Rapalas and Mepps, so they'll catch some fish! Buy some jigheads.



 
PatrickE
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01/29/2018 12:10PM  
missmolly: "Okay, Patrick, I'm sorry it took me a few times to sort through lures and find yours, but my life has been akimbo recently. Anyway, the lures I'm sending you aren't junk. There are a lot of Gary Yamamoto soft baits and Rapalas and Mepps, so they'll catch some fish! Buy some jigheads.

"


Molly! That is too much! My wife is laughing about all this as I'm not much of a fisherman (yet!) but I'm going to be better stocked than anyone on this trip! I promise to post photos hopefully of some good catches. Thank you again.
 
QueticoMike
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01/29/2018 05:14PM  
missmolly: "Okay, Patrick, I'm sorry it took me a few times to sort through lures and find yours, but my life has been akimbo recently. Anyway, the lures I'm sending you aren't junk. There are a lot of Gary Yamamoto soft baits and Rapalas and Mepps, so they'll catch some fish! Buy some jigheads.



"


That's really nice of you!
 
missmolly
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01/29/2018 06:02PM  
I'll try to mail your box tomorrow, Patrick!

Thanks, Mike. I'll be giving away some more lures to needy fisherfolk down the road.
 
missmolly
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01/31/2018 03:20PM  
The lures on their way, Patrick. If you have an opportunity, pay it forward and be kind to a stranger, like buying coffee for the guy in line behind you.
 
PatrickE
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01/31/2018 07:26PM  
missmolly: "The lures on their way, Patrick. If you have an opportunity, pay it forward and be kind to a stranger, like buying coffee for the guy in line behind you."


Absolutely. Thank you again for the incredibly kind gift.
 
PatrickE
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02/03/2018 07:12AM  
MissMolly,

The package has arrived and I am so excited to try out these lures. I was talking to my wife yesterday and she can't believe the kindness of strangers on the internet of all places, and I keep telling her that the BW community is different than anything I've come across. Thank you so much for this incredibly kind gift and I will definitely be paying it forward as you asked in some way.

Patrick
 
missmolly
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02/10/2018 11:03AM  
Hey, Patrick!

So, you're the mystery giver! Chip, the local innkeeper, delivered a $50 gift certificate from a Dr. Emerson.

"Huh?" I thought.

Then, "Cool."

Cool because $50 means seared scallops and mashed potatoes beside a crackling fire at the Brooklin Inn. Yum in the tum!

It was so kind of you, Patrick. I was expecting you'd startle some guy at Starbucks with free coffee rather than surprise me.

Now go catch some fish!

Miss Molly
 
PatrickE
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02/10/2018 11:44AM  
Glad you got it! I got a chance to chat with Chip and he convinced me you'd be able to find something delicious on their menu for a night out. I'll let you know once a get some fish on the line this summer.

Patrick
 
missmolly
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02/10/2018 12:26PM  
Do share those pics on-line. I'd love to see them!
 
PatrickE
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06/24/2018 07:41PM  
missmolly: "Do share those pics on-line. I'd love to see them!"


Well we just made it back from the South arm of Knife on Friday and had a blast. After prepping for this trip for close to a year, it did not disappoint and the fishing was my favorite part. Caught plenty of smallmouth, few smaller pike, and even managed a couple walleye. We had two nights of fantastic fish dinners, and that's saying something considering we had 6 guys that could make any buffet rethink its strategy. Another huge thanks to MissMolly for all of the help and the wonderful gift!
 
PatrickE
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06/24/2018 07:52PM  
And another big thanks to QMike...the articles were a fun read and really got me on the right track. After not having any luck on the ShadZ for the first day, I was convinced I was doing something wrong. The second day they starting hitting it and did not stop. All my buddies kept asking if I had any I could spare. My biggest mistake was only bringing one pack! Thanks again to everyone for making this fishing novice's trip a great one.
 
missmolly
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06/24/2018 08:19PM  
That's a beautiful bass, Patrick. I'm so happy you had a great time!

I kid you not. The first time I used Mike's advice from his article, I caught a 20-inch bass and then five other bass on six casts. His method works.
 
QueticoMike
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06/25/2018 12:23PM  
PatrickE: "And another big thanks to QMike...the articles were a fun read and really got me on the right track. After not having any luck on the ShadZ for the first day, I was convinced I was doing something wrong. The second day they starting hitting it and did not stop. All my buddies kept asking if I had any I could spare. My biggest mistake was only bringing one pack! Thanks again to everyone for making this fishing novice's trip a great one. "


You are most welcome! I'm always surprised to hear when people say they didn't catch anything on the Zman ShadZ (aka Zulu) and figure they were just fishing at the wrong place and time or presenting the bait incorrectly. Most people I hear from do great with this lure while fishing SMB. I'm glad to hear it worked for you! It is always nice to help out someone with their fishing experience. The first time I used a Zulu up in Quetico I only had one package too and I even gave one Zulu away as I felt bad about catching all of the fish and wanted my buddy to get in on the action. Now I have a big tub of them in my camping\fishing storage room. Will never go on a trip without at least 20 of them these days. This is one lure that will be in the tackle box until I die.
 
mastertangler
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06/25/2018 05:37PM  
Yes the whole Zulu thing is pretty awesome if the fish are within reach. If they go deep it's a waste of time. The swivel makes the whole presentation so don't neglect it.

Popped twin 20" smallies today on st Clair. Our regular spots didn't produce and I didn't pay attention to the water temps until our day was almost over. My dad is in his eighties and can't hang in there like he used to. I finally noticed the water temps were only 61 degrees (late spring?) and we quickly made the adjustment to shallower water and action was forthcoming. The only thing better than a Zulu is a creek chub ;-)

Usually we limit out or come close to it. Today was slim but we learned a few things. And isn't that what's so great about fishing? It's never the same twice.

 
QueticoMike
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06/26/2018 06:16AM  
The Zulu is not a waste of time if fish are deep. There are several ways to get a soft plastic jerk bait deeper that have worked. 1/8 or 1/4 oz. jig head works just fine to get the lures deeper. A size 5 ball bearing swivel will take the lure a little further down compared to the average rig set up. The drop shot rig will work or using a three way swivel set up. A simple split shot can get this lure down for some action. Just don't think of this lure as a top water or sub-surface lure. Walleye love eating these things if you get the lure down to them.
 
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