32 replies to this topic

[Garfield the Cat]

Well I've been itching for a good fishing trip an I decided to get a place in collingwood. I plan to fish all northern tribs that week too. If anyone is gonna be out this way from Saugeen to Thornbury, April 9-13 an solo, I'll be out just say hi. No worries I love women. Lol. I know I have one guy to fish with, GBD. NOT SURE IF THIS IS A GOOD THING. 😜. Drop a message if yur interested

[Float down]

Check the sound and see if they're smashing Jacks yet.

[Float down]

Jacks aren't running just yet.. but hopefully soon! (checked with some friends just the other day! lol)

Garfield,
I will be likely heading up that way for the 9th..

Yah I just talked to a buddy in meaford, he said all the harbors are dead zones right now, but they had a really good run of fish on the weekend.

Garfield, we may be at the Geen this weekend, keep your eyes out, we'll be on the "hard side"

[troutchaser]

Hey guys, just wondering... what fish are "jacks"... never heard of anyone use the word jacks before

[Garfield the Cat]

Hey guys, just wondering... what fish are "jacks"... never heard of anyone use the word jacks before

I thought it was small salmon. Am I right?????

[PikeHunter]

I thought it was small salmon. Am I right?????

From what I know, jacks are salmon that are not mature enough to spawn but make the run to spawning grounds every year till they are mature enough to spawn and complete their life cycle. I had the same question last year at Bronte for the salmon run.

[Garfield the Cat]

And my next question is, an some may wonder to, Can you keep them? i'm guessing it will follow under the Salmon regs.

[PikeHunter]

And my next question is, an some may wonder to, Can you keep them? i'm guessing it will follow under the Salmon regs.

I'm sure you could keep them by following the salmon regs but taking jacks out would thin out our future spawning salmon.

[Garfield the Cat]

For sure. how big are they usually? my son caught one last spring out in Oshawa. pretty cool an a big surprise

[PikeHunter]

For sure. how big are they usually? my son caught one last spring out in Oshawa. pretty cool an a big surprise

Size probably varies to genes and how much they eat is my guess, probably better fighters as well since they aren't ready to end life yet.

Someone may know more then me to help both of us out lol

[Rainbow]

Coho salmon can often be mistaken for jack chinooks because of their small size in southern ontario. Also, keeping a jack salmon wouldn't really have more of an impact on the fishery than keeping a pre-spawn adult.

[Garfield the Cat]

I agree totally Rain-bow. i'm curious on how they would taste. better or worst ?

[PikeHunter]

They are great eating fish!
-Which is why I have always went up to fish for them.. That and the fact that you are battling fish in 25Ft of water,

That draws a question from me lol..

Is it the more north you go, the better tasting the jacks would be? Ie.. Bronte/Credit vs. Georgion Bay tribe?

[PikeHunter]

I could not honestly answer that, as I personally will not eat any fish out of Lake O.. Lake Huron is a completely different story.

But you just did answer it lol.

I knew Lake Ontario used to be a sesspool of sewage but thought it is extremely more cleaner now then say 10 years ago

[Float down]

They are typically in the 3-6 lb range..

Last year we didn't get too many bigger ones, a pound was typical and 5-6 pounds was big. For some reason every spring small CHINOOKS roll into some of the georgian bay and huron trib mouths. I had a couple of days when I got over 20 of them, with surprise rainbows white fish lakers and browns. It's probably my favorite harbor fishing. Fishing in 30 FOW and running between 15 - 20 feet down under a slip float with roe and catching these feisty little bastards is way too much fun. I know some local boys who would shoot me if I told people where the best spot is, so I'll keep that to myself.

[NOTTA STEELER]

From what I know, jacks are salmon that are not mature enough to spawn but make the run to spawning grounds every year till they are mature enough to spawn and complete their life cycle. I had the same question last year at Bronte for the salmon run.

Jacks are immature salmon , usually males in the 1 - 6 pound range . The males mature ( sexually ) faster than the females and are capable of spawning along with the mature ones .
The jacks however do not live on and prosper , they die right along with the adults and never return to the lake . So taking out jacks is not going to hurt future populations , it is just a smaller leaner pan fry option for a small keeper . Also the meat can be significantly better from a salmon from Huron or G.Bay waters , cleaner waters and richer food supply , equals tastier fish . The roe from a hen up north is golden orange and lake O. much paler .