Fishing...Did someone say fishing? All right, now we're talking! During the warmer months I fish 3 to 4 times a week. I mostly fish bogs as a preference but I've fished the lakes and streams as well. The information below pertains to pickerel:
1)go with a light, short pole
2)lures will work, spinners (as Bob mentioned), semi floating rapalas (they sink when you reel them in) or surface (better for fishing at dusk), white plastic worms.
3) that being said. Nothing beats live bait (minnows) and it is easier to manage in tight weedy bogs. Also, the single hook is less damaging to the fish than the treble hooks on most lures.Hook the minnow just behind the dorsal fin and leave at least 15" of slack between it and the bobber. If you are going deep.put a sinker on the line about 15" from the minnow. A fresh minnow will pull against the resistance of a bobber or weight. The sinker will keep it from heading to the surface, but will keep it from the often muddy bottom.
4) If fishing live bait, count to 5 before setting the hook.
5)#4 hooks with a leader. Don't forget the leader, they have sharp teeth. 6lb test line is good.
6)If fishing active bogs, fish the reservour, not the bogs with flucuating water levels. The irrigation ditch along the bank is deepest and has the biggest fish in inactive bogs
7) Some bogs produce monsters some none
8)The streams typically have smaller fish but can be very plentiful.
9) As Bob said. Fish about a foot from the weeds, pickerel weed, and they love lilly pads. Especially lilly pad islands in deeper water.
10)Try not to handle the fish much when extracting the hook if you plan on releasing it. When releasing, pull backwards on its' tail lightly till it swims away. Use long nose pliers to extract hook.
11) Don't over fish a hot spot.
12) You can expect chain pickerel (chainsides) red fin and Hybrids between the two. Chainsides are the biggest. Pickerel are extremely agressive, will eat bait 3/4 their body length, are cannablistic, attack mostly sight-based, and almost always attack head first. Basto lake is pretty consistant for starters. Lots of bass in there too. Pickerel are ambush attackers. They don't cruise for food, but wait for it to come to near them. They don't stare and contemplate either. It is all or nothing. If you are not having luck, try a different spot, even if it is only a few feet away. Good luck!
Jeff
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