raft report for 1-8

[treeman]

Fished outside of the island behind the raft near the edge of the good ice and caught 20 keepers for a day of fishing. I saw alot of nice fish with more schools moving through in the morning. I could have done a little better if I had taken a spear. I really couldn't get the bigger fish to go but I did see some fish in the 14 to 15 inch range. Most fish were caught on a red and white mark hook with a red anise ball. Water was 4.5 to 5 ft deep with clear water. Be careful out there. Ice is thin in places. Good luck to you all. Cold weather is on the way. This area is set to make good ice. We could be 1/2 to 1 mile out by the middle to the end of next week.

[gsepan]

I was out there too... but only for a few hours. One school and all dinks but 2. Were you fishing a weedbed or just sand?

[treeman]

I was fishing mainly sand bottom with sparse weeds. Straight out from the left (south) side of the island about 400 yards. I use a 4 inch white pike spearing decoy with red tips on the tail, fins and nose to attract fish into the hole. I carve these myself but one of Chuck Meldrums small decoys would do the same thing. Now that I have given you one of my trade secrets, I may as well give you one or two more tricks. Many times a golden shiner like the ones you would use for tip up bait will attract fish into the hole. Other times I will take a perch that I have caught and drop him into the hole on a treble hook. His buddies will come right in to see whats going on. I don't use minnows for bait unless I am in dirty water conditions. They are too much hassle and slow to fish. I will outfish a minnow fisherman 6 to 1 with a bead under clear water conditions with aggressive fish. I will however buy some minnows and chum the hole with 6 or 8 live minnows periodically to attract fish, it works well. I didn't have all these tricks in my bag yesterday or I might have done a little better. Fish were in a real neutral mood. I had to work hard for what I got. I tried red and white tube jigs which are a good producer for me as well and the fish would not look at them. I did not see anyone else out there yesterday with more than 3 fish. A friend of mine fished more over toward anchor bay drive and ended up with a limit but he was on ice that I consider unsafe. When we get good enough ice on the lake to set shanties I will pm you and we can get together and fish.

[bounty hunter]

When does pike spearing open on st. clair? and have you seen many behind the raft?

[gsepan]

Treeman

That area where your buddy was is a top producer in the summer for Perch. We pulled lots of limits from that area (considered the 7 sister island area by the locals) I'm hoping we all can get that way soon as I've never fished it with hardwater conditions. Thanks a bunch for the tips. I live on the same canal as Neslon's Sand Bar Lounge so you see this is right in my backyard. If your a local, I'll be out Sunday morning and will fish till noon. If your out, look me up. I have a Frabill Lite flip over and will be wearing a bright yellow/blue (Michigan colors) jacket with brown camo coverall's (Nice combo but hey... I'm Polish!!! what can I say but "I've got an excuse for the stupid things I do or wear...") Maybe we can hook up with another local (Joe_G) as he lives accross M-29 and is within shouting distance of my place. Let me know if you'll be out...

[bounty hunter]

when does pike spearing open on st clair? have you been seeing many behind the raft?

[treeman]

Pike spearing season is open from the first of january through the end of february. I have not fished that area much yet this year. I have been fishing for gills in the canals. We do see quite a few pike once we set out the wood spearing shanties. Another friend of mine speared a 12 lb fish out there on monday just to the left of where I was fishing. He also took a limit of perch on monday. He fished all day without a fish until 3:30 then caught a limit within the next 1 1/2 hours. With cold temperatures on the way, I am excited about getting out for some spearing action. Remember there is a two fish limit this year on pike.

[flydunker]

where can I pick up some of these anise beads? I looked all over up here and can't find them anywhere, are that at cabelas perhaps

[Captain]

Flydunker, they are Jenson Eggs and come in a small clear jar.Colors include red, green and Chartruse...Lakeside Tackle has them as well as Selfridge Bait and Tackle! They work great especially at Lake Simcoe.

[flydunker]

thanks for the information Captain, do you know if those bait shops are online? I am up north so I would need to order them through the internet>

[Captain]

Try www.lakesidefishingshop.com and shoot them an email....They may be able to help you out..Did you try Franks or Jays?

[tony_1]

flydunker, the jensenegg should be available at most bait shop near you. They use them alot for salmon and steelhead also.

[flydunker]

are they the same size as a salmon egg???

[Gone Fishing]

Yes flydunker, that is approx. the size.