The cloud cover was thick and the humidity was some left undesired. T storms were not forecasted, but a watchful eye was in order for this evening. A chop out of the Southwest alowed us to run from Foran's to Vineland where we set up in 70 FOW. After only getting the fourth rod in the water, the first rod that was set released from it's bent position in the downrigger. Steve was first to crank this one in and it was a smaller two year old king caught out of 60 'F water down 39 ft on the rigger and with a lead of 15 ft. M&M Glow Yeck 88. No adipose fin.
An hour went by when we turned back to fish the same area we started and hit our second fish on a Green Dolphin 107 Walker Deeper Diver set on 1 1/2 and out 110 ft. It had a Michigan Stinger reg 3.75" Green Clown. (small spoon was thought to turn strikes on fussy fish). The fish was a twin in size from the last one but it was a natural fish with it's adipose fin.
Then there was a long wait for 2 hours while we searched for more productive waters. At dusk we hook up with a fish on the port side rigger using a Warrior Dr Death Hot Glow using a short 10 ft lead and using a 8 " Mnt Dew/Crushed Ice Glow Spin Doctor on a 5 ft line clipped directly to the ball to add as an attractor and set down 75 ft over 80 feet of water. the fish came right to the surface and spit the hook.
There were more marks on the bottom at this point and the sun was fully down and darkness beginning to set in when the hooks on the bottom moved up to 60 feet in a 20 minute time frame.
Then we were startled by the instant and alarming sound from the drag of the 7 colour leadcore set down the chute brings Steve to his feet and he takes the rod while the fish strips the line from the reel. FINALLY a better fish.
While he fought the fish we worked hard to turn a double header, but the blackness of the night was on us and it was time to pull everything in before putting the net under Steve's fish. His personal best chinook salmon at 22 lbs 4 oz.
12 mile boat ride back to Forans in the dark while we watched the lights of the Lakehouse Restaurant and by the passing cars on the QEW, the bright glow from the greenhouses in Beamsville and finally the flashing green lighthouse light at the end of Foran's channel to mark our trip ending
Happy birthday Chris and congratulations to Steve on this still very chrome coloured king out there swimming with tag #1498.
Shane Thombs
www.FINtasticSportfishing.com
