John, Brian Blainey and I made a 4 hour evening trip out of Foran’s Marine in Grimsby . The sporadic report of fish caught out front was enough for us to investigate. Our departure was a little later then our normal 4:00 pm departure, as we needed to transform the boat from what was a Bass fishing boat in last Saturday’s tournament back into a salmon fishing boat. Downriggers, rod holders, tackle, rods and take the pro-poles out.
We were greated by sunny skies and flat water at the mouth of Foran’s and we took off on plane to a straight out tack at 20 degrees on the compass to put us in 80 FOW just east of the weather marker. It was there that while scanning the water the SONAR screen showed slight blips going 35 mph. Backing off the throttle and we started to set lines and turn the boat east to stay in that depth . Sure enough marks were plentiful. 40 -60 feet down and the odd bait pod (few- but some).
15 minutes into our troll the Full core (last rod in the water of the six and only in the water 5 minutes tops) starts pealing line. Magnum sized Matrix spoon that thumps the core rod tip even 475 feet behind the boat. Brian was on the rod and wrestles with the fish for nearly 25 minutes before we bring it onboard. It was a dark and skinny fish but still managed to pull the scale hook down to have a reading of 25 lbs 2 oz. Tagged the fish # 1496 and off it went.
A short time later the port side rigger jerks from it’s downward bent position but fails to release. A quick check on the Magnum Hi Ho Silver with black dots MC Rocket (new colout to come out next year) to reveal that it was a bent from the fish turning but coming unhooked. The leader for the Rocket was set to about 66” and was put behind a Large Bechold Fish Catcher in Clear with Double Crushed Glow. The lead behind the downrigger weight was 15 feet and down 55’.
Marks on the SONAR of fish were numerous, but sinking deeper as we moved away from our starting point when down temps changed to warmer at the 50 foot level and as the total water depth increased. 47’F at our starting point and 50’F only about three miles away. We concentrated on fishing the cooler water and it pays off.
An hour later the same Magnum Hi Ho Silver with black dots MC Rocket down 59’ on a short lead, takes a shot. The drag creeps out and John is on it. The fish really doesn’t behave like the kings did only a week ago. The drag only slowly pulls off and the fight is long and deep with only the odd short burst of runs from the lazy big fish. We boat it after 30 minutes and it weighs 27 lbs 5 oz. It is released, but not tagged. It had the same Fork length of 36 inches as the first fish , but much wider girth.
About another hour goes by and the Easter Egg Glow 8” Spin Doctor with a #2 MC Rocket Regular size takes a small 5 lbs 2 oz king from the rigger down 50 feet over 75 FOW. Tag # 1499. All night we couldn’t manage any fish on any of the three divers we ran. After many line lengths and lure changes. Tried Whole Herring, Lymans plug, spoons and a few flasher/fly combos and nothing went on a diver. One of those days.
The evening was a slow bite, but we remained entertained with countless jokes as well as more serious conversation about the fate of the Hamilton Tiger Cats, the location of the Stadium Site and the Pan-Am games as was the debated at Hamilton City hall at the same time.
The sun dipped down and the red sky over the mirror like water made a nice close to the night and we were off the water by 9:00 pm. No camera on board tonight.
Shane Thombs
www.fintasticsportfishing.com
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