Hermitage Park Rainbow Trout and Jaw Jacker Review

Fishing Hermitage Park Pond rainbow trout that lurk under ice is something I enjoy trying when home for Christmas.  Unfortunately this year I didn't make it to the lake until later in the ice season after Christmas. You see this small pond is only about 12 feet deep and stocked with 3000 rainbows a year.  As the winter lingers on oxygen levels plummet and the trout are left struggling to survive.  Sadly nature wins out and the lake consistently winter kills leaving the remaining trout dead under ice.  No one can predict when this will exactly happen as a lot of factors come into play.  For example live weeds add oxygen and dead weeds consume oxygen.  Regardless I always go out to give it a try.

The forecast was for a rapid change in weather throughout the day.  It started out on the cool side, overcast and calm.  By the end of the day it was freezing cold and blowing snow. 

I tried a faithful point on the lake in the morning, but there was no trout activity on the radar at all and no strikes on the awaiting Jaw Jacker.  I decided to pack up and walk across the lake to a deeper section and see if there were any fish around.  I drilled holes starting from a shallow bank and out every 20 feet into the main lake basin.  Shortly after I set the Jaw Jacker in shallow water it went off!  I ran over and lost the first nice rainbow in the hole.

I reset the line and returned to jigging with my rod and MarCum VX 1P.  I noticed that there was some action on the flasher half way up the water column.  I raised my Kastmaster with dropper fly to mid water column and soon had something that felt like a bite.  Then the Jaw Jacker went off again and I landed a nice rainbow at 15 inches.  I returned to the jigging rod and started to have more hits and landed another rainbow.  The trout were ON which was unusual after Christmas. I attributed the action to a rapid fall in barometric pressure which sometimes turns the bite ON!  Regardless the cause I was just happy to be the one experiencing it.

Things slowed down mid day and I moved to another hole.  I decided to try a few inches under the ice in 12 feet of water.  In no time I had a strike and then another.  I got down on my belly and stared down the hole.  In no time a rainbow was staring back at me inches from my face.  They were swimming back and forth right under my nose.  This was so cool I thought.  Turns out this is typical behavior as the oxygen levels fall in a lake.  The fish start to swim closer to the ice where trapped air pockets and cracks are the only way oxygen enters the lake late in the season. 

I quickly drilled another hole and dropped the GoPro down to see if I could get any footage.  Turns out they weren't camera shy and even though it was getting dark the footage is still pretty neat.  Check out the video links below. 

I continued to catch fish on the Jaw Jacker and rod right under the ice.  Turned out to be one of my best days on Hermitage Park Pond.  I saw several other groups of people on the ice and nobody else was catching.  Just goes to show you can't always stick with what usually works.  The fish were not on the bottom and unless you moved around and fished mid water column and up to the ice there was no catching going on.  So don't forget the rest of the water column when you are out on the ice.  Also having a MarCum Flasher can really help you understand how fish are using the water column and put your lure in the high traffic area.

I've been very impressed with the Jaw Jacker on ice.  I set it up with three small ice jigs or flies about a foot and a half apart and tip with pieces of meal worm.  Drop the set up down and wait.  More often then not when it goes off there is a fat trout on the end of the line waiting to be brought in by you.  If you are allowed a set line in your province or state I highly recommend investing in some of these.  

I previously used tip downs which I built, but usually by the time I ran over to grab the rod the fish had dropped the bait.  The Jaw Jacker actually sets the hook for you increasing your odds of catching more fish!  

If you'd like to see the action from this day click the links below.  I also do a demonstration of my Jaw Jacker rig for those of you who are curious.  

Till next time - Tight Lines!

The Fishing Doctor

Finally Fall Fishing Northern Pike!

Fast approaching the end of another great Canadian fishing adventure in early August, we started entertaining the idea of going back in the Fall.  My wife didn't have to ask me twice before I quickly found a gap in my schedule over the last week of September and first of October.  Flights were booked and it was all planning and daydreaming from there.

Fishing in the fall had always been something I read about in magazines and watched on fishing shows, but never able to experience first hand.  Generally I'd fish over 50 days a year, but these days were highly concentrated around school vacations.  Now after 20 years of education and 4 years of post graduate training life looked more promising for a fall fishing adventure.

As with all new adventures much planning and self education is required for success.  I started reading everything I could lay my eyes on regarding fishing the fall bite.  After a few trips to Outdoor World and hundreds of dollars spent on large swim-baits and crank-baits I was certain I had what was needed to put some fish in the boat.

The Horizon Airlines pilot announced we'd be arriving at the Edmonton International Airport in a few minutes.  Gazing out the window I could see the John Deere combines working the fields and fall colors on the trees.  The weather had been great and the first cold weather was set to hit while I was in town. This was fine with me since everything I had read stated a cooling trend in weather turns fall fish on the chew.

My target fish of choice was northern pike as I'd never really caught much over an 8 lb pike in open water.  Pinehurst Lake in North East Alberta has always been a favorite lake to catch summer walleye and monster northern pike through the ice.  I figured given the presence of large pike in the winter this would probably be our best bet to hook into a dandy.  Keep this in mind if you are after trophy fish, you have to fish waterways known to hold them.

The weather report said we could expect a high of 4 degrees C, wind, overcast and rain showers throughout the day.  We geared up and put a tarp on the 12 foot aluminum boat.  Dressing appropriate to survive a day like this is key.  Layer your clothes, wear a rain suit and don't forget to wear something warm on your feet like winter boots or insulated rubber boots.  This will make all the difference on those cold fall fishing days.

We launched and started to troll large crank-baits on the south shore along deep water rocky points.  These are known fish holding structures in the summer and fall.  As the weeds die off the small bait-fish will move to these rocky areas to find cover from predatory fish.  Naturally the walleye and large pike are drawn here in search of food.  After a few minutes of trolling my dad hooked the first pike of the day, but far from a monster.

Shallow weed lines and reeds can also hold large fish as the waters cool to temperatures that large pike can tolerate while in search for a meal.  We next headed across the lake to a very large weed bed and cast large crank-baits.  This seemed to be the ticket as we started having explosive strikes and hookups on hard fighting northern pike.  I knew we were on the fish and it was only time until we found a big one.

Slow retrieving a 6" jointed crank along the surface was drawing some great strikes.  Then it happened.  I could see a freight train of a fish streaking towards my lure and inhale it.  The line zipping across the water and off my reel, then NOTHING!  What happened?  I reeled up the excess line and found my 30 pound fluorocarbon leader had broke.  This brings me to another tip.  When fishing for these toothy critters it is a good idea to use a steel leader or if using fluorocarbon use at least a 100 pound leader.  I found this out the hard way and that pike was now carrying an expensive lure as jewelry.

We caught many more pike before evening approached and my dad started to suggest we head back across the lake closer to the boat launch.  I suggested we try trolling along the reeds where we had seen a lot of white fish surfacing.  Since big pike eat whites and tulibee I figured there must be some lurking.  I cast out the lure and pumped the rod as we trolled along.  BAM!  another big hit on the line and this time the fish is pulling drag.  I slowly coerce her up to the surface some 50 yards away and notice this fish has a wake, not the usual spiraling snot rocket on the surface.   Soon the big fish was beside the boat and into the awaiting landing net.  It really happened, a big pike!  My fall fishing dreams had really come true.  We snapped a few pictures and video before letting the large female pike swim away for another day.

What a great end to another awesome fishing adventure.  I think I have a new addiction that will have to wait until next fall!  Till then check out these pictures and video of the day.

http://www.youtube.com/v/eMyBJtMuudk?autohide=1&version=3&attribution_tag=by_6mQG05IM3f-z6nBT-NA&feature=share&autoplay=1&showinfo=1&autohide=1CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO OF THE REST OF THE PINEHURST ACTION, COULDN'T GET IT TO SHOW UP.

Hawaii Shark Fishing - Honolulu Oahu

Hawaii Shark Fishing Night Adventure.

My wife knows how much I love fishing so she went ahead and did some research on the deep sea fishing adventures available in Oahu.  Turns out a lot of them are very expensive and some of your most affordable trips are bottom fishing and SHARK FISHING!!!  The Sportfish Hawaii operation offers night fishing for sharks out of Oahu for $125 a person.  They pick you up at your hotel and take you out at 10PM till 1AM.

We were flying into Oahu for a short 4 day vacation, so we had to make every moment count.  We arrived in the evening of our first day and got settled into the hotel.  Shortly after we were headed back to the fish wharf on the shuttle that picked us up from our hotel.  We signed in at the dock and boarded the boat that would take us out into the darkness.

Once everyone was loaded on board the captain gave us the itinerary for the evening.  He then delivered the news that the average catch rate was approximately three sharks per night.  On board there were about 12 fisherman.  Right then I started to do the math... Three sharks divided by 12 fisherman... that doesn't leave much chance for us to catch a shark.  Oh well, I was still excited to go out with my wife on this little adventure with the chance of catching a big shark.  Plus I had a slight suspicion that my lucky fishing history would pay off tonight!

The bait was defrosting on the boat... it was huge.  I'm talking small tuna sized bait.  They cut it into two inch thick steaks that was then threaded onto a large single hook.  The rod and real combos were huge, super duty!  When we arrived to the fishing grounds they set out the sea anchor and we dropped our heavy waits a few hundred feet down with the large chunks of bait to lure in the predators.

The gentleman fishing the back corner of the boat was fishing a fly-lined chunk of bait that was drifting along with the current.  It wasn't long and his rod started to scream.  Now I was thinking... man just my luck, should have tried that corner bait.  After a good fight the fish was lost at a distance before we could see it.  Now I was excited that the fish were biting and I had a shot at catching one.

Then the guy on the back corner gets nailed again!  Drag is clicking, he's cranking and getting worked like I've never seen before.  After an amazing fight the 5 foot Pacific Gray Reef Shark is beside the boat.  Everyone crowds around to see the magnificent creature.  After a few snapped pictures the crew on board uses large bolt cutters to cut the hook and set the shark free.

Wow, now I was really excited!  What a fish!

We moved to a different spot to see if we could find some more willing sharks and then the back corner went off again!  This time it was the guys wife.  I'm thinking these two should buy a lottery ticket since they are the only ones getting into all the fish.  She pulls in another nice Pacific Gray Reef Shark which is soon released after a few pictures.  My wife was fishing right beside her and I'm thinking maybe she has a chance... but judging by this picture you'll see I wasn't too hopeful.

I was standing at my post as we drifted along doing exactly what the crew said.  Drop the weight to the bottom then crank it up ten cranks and wait.  I did this diligently, over and over and over.... to no avail.  THEN IT HAPPENED!!!  I got the sensation that something was pulling on the end of my rod!  Click, click, click the drag started to be pulled out.  Ok, something definitely has taken the bait.  Do I wait?  Do I set the hook?  So I start cranking as fast as I can and set the hook!  I feel the resistance and then the fish starts pulling drag.  I crank with all my might, but it takes everything I have just to hold onto the rod.  With some help of the crew I'm able to get the fish beside the boat for some pictures.  It is another Pacific Gray Reef Shark.  After some pictures the bolt cutters come out and set the shark free.

I was absolutely thrilled to have been lucky enough to hook up and land one of the sharks of the night.

The rest of the night had some more action with a few bites that didn't stick and one more hook up off the bow of the boat.  This turned out to be the largest shark of the night.  A 6 foot Gray Reef shark that probably went 150 pounds.  What an amazing looking fish.  After the release of that fish it was pretty much time to head back in.

It was a fabulous adventure and I was glad we took the few hours to go out at night for the experience.  If you enjoy fishing I recommend you check out night shark fishing on Oahu.  If you'd like more information I'm just volunteering these websites of the charter I went with.  Good luck on catching the big one if you get to go out!
http://www.sportfishhawaii.com/sharkfishing.htm
http://www.sportfishhawaii.com

EXTREME FISHING - Big Bear Lake Spring Rainbow Trout Fishing

Big Bear Lake Spring Rainbow Trout Fishing

Spring has arrived in Southern California and one of the most exciting fishing opportunities to be found is the Fabulous Rainbow Trout Fishing starting in MARCH and going right on through MAY.  Starting usually in the first few weeks of March the large spawning rainbow trout will start to find there ways to the streams that run into the lake.  While fishing for these fish in or near the streams is illegal you can usually find them close to the shore around the lake.  They will swim by looking for any trickle of water running into the lake.  I've even seen them leap out of the water right onto the rocks where a small trickle was entering the lake.

One of the best ways to catch these fish is using a yellow and white mini jig or crappie jig.  Use a light action rod with four pound test and a 1/32nd ounce jig.  Cast it out and let it sink down for ten seconds.  Then slowly reel it in with a small bouncing action.  Wait for the rainbows to chase this presentation right to shore and hold on.  Strikes can be violent and sometimes really soft, so pay attention.  Tipping the crappie jig with a meal worm sometimes helps.

There I was early in the morning standing on the side of the lake.  I could see fish swimming near the shore, but they really weren't that interested.  It was a slow morning and I only ended up landing one fish, so I decided to try the other side of the lake.  There was a huge snow pile on the other side that was still overhanging the water.  It looked pretty dangerous which was good for me because no one else was fishing there.  I went around to the other side and slowly worked my way down the mound of snow.  I toed my foot holds one at a time on this steep bank and carved out a platform for myself to stand on.  I then created steps down closer to the water to net any possible fish I'd catch.

Turns out that I made an EXCELLENT choice as my bobber vanished within a few moments of casting it out.  I had a slip bobber rig out with a night crawler sitting from 12-15 feet down in the water column.  The fish kept coming and it was turning out to be an excellent day fishing.

THEN IT HAPPENED!!!!    As I was making my way down the steps the snow drift broke off and I fell into the FRIGID WATER up to my waist.  I was now stuck waist deep with nothing but a shear cliff of snow and ice above me to try to climb out on.  I clawed my hands into the snow and with all my strength pulled myself out of the water.  To this day I have no idea how I was able to pull myself out.  Check the pictures out.

It wasn't too cold out so I just kept on fishing and dried off slowly.  Caught my limit of 5 nice rainbow trout and released a few more to grow up for another day.  We'll Chalk that one up for another crazy adventure with the Fishing Doctor!

My Fishing Platform on the Snow Bank

 Where I fell in and the chunk that fell in with me.  Notice the angle, straight down!

The Days Great Catch Well Worth the Effort!