Fish-a-mania

[stelmon]

This mourning Northern_outdoorsman, his friend Jared and I headed to a little lake near by. Even though we put in alot of hours with little fish to show for, we still had a great time. Jared and I set up in 5 ft of water and only had a small perch to show for. Then we played cat and mouse with a little pike but he wasn't hungry. We then switched to 20 ft and had tons of perch under us but they had locked jawed. Jared got another one. Then Jared had other plans and took off so I was left to finish the day off with what looked like the skunk but was wrong. I moved to 8 ft of water and hit 3 pike of about 10-12 inches:p It was pretty cool watching them come in and hammer the freaked out minnows.

Well, I will let Don tell his stories and share his photos. It was nice fishing with you guys again.

Happy Birthday Jared

Im off to work, everyone have a good night:)

[northern_outdoorsman]

A fun day for sure! I had the camera down and saw lots of Small Gills...A Crappie or two...and I kept seeing some NICE largemouths!!!! Had one Hooked that was about 22" but the small hook pulled out (which is good cause they ain't in season right now;) ) After catching many small gills my line and rod all of a sudden took a lunge toward the hole! I grabbed it just in time and about a minute or two later this nice Largemouth came up for a Photo and quick release...Not bad for 2 lb test line eh?:cool:

Here are the pics:

Dan and his 12 incher...
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/527/162400001.jpg

A close-up of his 12-incher...
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/527/162400002.jpg

Here is my Nice Bass caught on 2 lb Test Line!
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/526/16240004.jpg

Here is our Biggest Perch...
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/529/162400005.jpg

What a fun day! Hope tomorrow at Harsen's Island is even better!

Happy Birthday Jared! (He didn't make the Photo's but he caught his share of fish!)

[stelmon]

So, is it a pike or Muskie.

I have never seen a pike with those colors.

[northern_outdoorsman]

I was thinking the same thing yesterday...no Pike "Dots"...and it has a "Muskie" similar Pattern....Hum?????:p

[Lunker]

Looks like a grass or chain pickeral to me guys...

[stelmon]

hmmmm,
I talked to my buddy who fished that lake alot when he was younger and told me that they probably do have muskie in there. I'll ask gonefishing to check it out.

[Gone Fishing]

Hey Stelmon, I'm no expert but that looks like a baby Muskie to me. The Pike spots usually run horizontal and those vertical lines look like the markings of a little toothy Muskie to me. What is funny is you rarely catch the little guys to see them in their infancy. In either case, good job and be ready to catch some woppers on that lake in the future!:) ESOX would be able to identify that little guy for sure.

[ESOX]

Thats either a grass Pickerel or a Baby Mooskie. Can't tell from that pic, so I'll say it's a Muskie. Congrats on your first Muskie Dan!

Pike are always light spots on a dark backround, Muskie are dark marks on a light backround.

[stelmon]

Yay!

I caught a muskie:) Just wish it was bigger;)

Like I told John in a PM, I am surprize about that. My friend who fished that lake alot when he was younger never caught one. I can't wait for spring. Hopefully I will get bigger even thought I am content:)

[northern_outdoorsman]

Ok it had Mooskie Markings like a tiger mooskie, NO Spots at ALL... BUT the colors were that of a Northern Pike...does that help Identify it?

[northern_outdoorsman]

Dan, Read below about Grass Pickeral...sounds about par for the course for that lake and the way you said they hit..

"Notes: A smaller pickerel than the redfin or chain pickerel but just as much fun. Like other pickerels, they are a fun light tackle fish that is very adaptable and can keep tabs on overpopulating sunfish, without becoming a menace to larger gamefish. They are a little bony but very edible. My favorite trick is to wade into shallow bays off of larger lakes, and cast 3" plugs, spinners, spoons, poppers, or especially twitch baits very close to logs and downed trees in 1 foot of water, then quickly twitch the lure. The strike is explosive and quick, and the same structure will produce several smaller fish or a few larger ones. Very large pickerel are easy to confuse with Northern Pike or Muskellunge, and share many of the same habits. P.S. to limit bite offs, leader your lures with 4" of 20lb mono! "

[Gone Fishing]

OK, I think I want to change my answer. I've never caught a Chain or Grass Pickerel, but when I looked them up it sure looks a lot like Dan's fish. That dark bar below the eye is found on those species. Stelmon, we need to get you out on LSC so you can get slimed! ;)

[ESOX]

Not a Chain, but I think it might be a Grass........ SHHHH

[northern_outdoorsman]

I looked up pics of Grass Pike too...I am sure that is what it was...

[stelmon]

Man, I got all excited that I caught a pike and now you mean to tell me it's a stinking pickeral. It's all good though because I have been wanting to catch one of those forever. Cool:cool:

Hey John,
I get out of school at the end of may. When ever you have room I am game:)

Thanks guys for indentifying my minnow:D

[gomer]

that fish is 100% grass pickerel

[sfw1960]

GeeZ , ESOX ~
Here I thought ya was gunna give us a spiel about the 'pores' under the jawbone & the number of rays in the fins.....The Gill Plates ~...
IT is a baby Northereen.... I have caught quite a few from a couple lakes that have an abundant STUNTED population... it's like the ole troutski markings.... they just need to grow outta them PJ's afore they look right.....;)
:DSFW:D