Stoney Creek 2-24-02

[northern_outdoorsman]

John Cook and I went and the Ice wasn't safe so we got the big poles out. After 3 or so hours of nothing, I walked up to the top of the dam and dropped my jig in front of the wall. I was trying to see how deep it was there, so I kept letting out line...and more line..and more line...man it can't be that deep I thought. So I started to reel it back up and....FISH ON! I had a nice pike. Well Above the dam so I finessed it to the surface and plop...over the dam it went as I went down the hill foloowing it! John was a Great net man and in a few minutes we has a nice 28 1/2 inch Northern Pike in the net! Notice my KNOT held too! The rest of the day was uneventful, but a beautiful day none the less! Here is the pic!
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/northern_don/2-24-01%20Pike%202.jpg

[WALLEYE MIKE]

OK Don!! When the crappies are spawning the middle lake side of the damn is good. Just throw in between the two walls. If I can remember correctly its in May.

[Joe'sCat]

Sweet!

[treehunter2]

way to go DON!!!:D i guess as much as i hate to i'll have to dust off the big poles too!!!!!:eek:

[Jackster1]

Between you and Mr. Cook, you guys have this area pretty well figured out. There ain't no off season for you guys! Well done!!!

[jnpcook]

Glad that photo turned out Don. You must have a good camera man :) I couldn't believe it as I watched Don with this fish on his line. I was wondering "How are we ever going to land this fish above the dam?" No problem. Don just gingerly lets her plop over the dam keeping the perfect amount of tension to keep the fish on the line and after I removed the other poles he coaxed the fish towards shore where I swiftly netted her. I don't know what test line Don was using but it looked like 6 to 8lb with no leader. Glad that pike didn't bite through the line. It was nice to see a fish caught after 3 hours of nothing. Don, being the good friend that he is, didn't try to humiliate me in his post. I can laugh at myself now as Don failed to mention the two "bites" I managed to get today. I was casting a jig and fishing it on the bottom and felt something that I thought was a fish. I set the hook hard and began reeling in as I told Don, "I think I got one". The harder I begin reeling the faster the guys across the dam from us are running for their rod. They start reeling in and I realize I haven't caught a fish at all. Just got a bunch of terminal tackle at the end of my jig. I continue fishing after the guy untangles my jig. After several minutes I get another good "bite". Needless to say I stopped casting so far out.

It was a great day to be out.

John

[Mike]

Nice one Don!

Mike

[tangleknot]

Nice Catch! Headed out there today also with the kids prepared for ice fishing or shore fishing. Decided the ice fishing was too risky even though there were a few die hards out there. Walked the bike path instead, what a beautiful day!! Nice fish Don! Great picture to see in February with that much open water in the background!:D

[Marble-eye]

nice fish !! i hear using spinner baits and such right after ice out works real real good for big pike, now that i seen that fish,, i have an itchin to go out and try!

[northern_outdoorsman]

I thought I heard them to guys across from us yelling, " Why don't ya fish over here, you'd be closer to your bait!:D " Wasn't it funny how after I caught that Pike ABOVE the dam they immediatly started fishing ABOVE the dam too;) ...Oh, All funning aside, that 1st Bite ya had was a fish John. Them guys weren't there yet! Thanks for the good company, Great Camera Shot and AWESOME net Job...I can't believe ya doubted me getting that one to the net, It just all came naturally....LOL:p

[StumpJumper]

Nice fish Don! lol I thought you said it was 18 inches.

[TheFlyfisher]

Don: Nice Pike. That is a good place for pike. I see it was from the north dam. Either side is good. Also the south dam is just as good. It is 20 to 23' feet deep at the south dam and they hold along the sides of the dam. I caught and released 6 there last year. Also the south dam is really good for crappie. Right off the dam along the walls. it is my favorite place in late March for nice slabs. Good job .
Mike

[stelmon]

Nice fish don, glad to see you got into some fish and did not have to go all teh way to ludington.