Headed out on the mighty Chippawa around 7:30 and fished for 5 hours bouncing 1/8 oz jigs tipped with Gulp minnows tonight. The target was Freshwater Drum and they did not disappoint. Jigging 8 to 14 feet of water in pitch black conditions can be fun and challenging. There are no visuals. No watching the rod tip or seeing the line where it meets the water, it is pure touch/feel and man oh man is it fun! At night I like to use a short fast rod (5.6 feet) and 6 lb test. Lift, drop, lift, drop.... love to "jiggle" it as it falls, rod in right hand and i pull line off the reel and hold in my left hand while I jig. Early in the evening the Black Crappies were all over the Gulp and once darkness fell and the clouds covered the full moon the Freshwater Drum came out to play. For whatever reason the Drum were out in force.
The first hour I threw a weedless frog for Largemouth but only had one show any interest so i rigged up for my next target: Drum!
I have had a hard time finding them these past few weeks during the day/evening. Tonight I caught 11 ranging in size from 13 inches all the way to 27 inches! I had two that were over 25 inches and lost a third behemoth. These babies fight! My god they put my light tackle to the test. Such great fighters, dogged, determined, all that muscle, huge tail fin and broad body.... WOW! The big boys really took out line and continually shook their heads. Fantastic! There were so many Crappie around I often had a hard time getting the jig to the bottom where the Drum dwell. It was a fun and beautiful night. I must have caught 30 Crappies and a few Channel Cats as well.
Here are two pics of the big guys, 25 inches +
I know many of you appreciate the Sheepshead and for those who don't give 'em a try! They are a great Canadian fish (they have been here for 12,000 years!) that hit lures with zest and put up a great fight. Their saltwater cousins are held in high esteem, why not these guys???
Cheers!!!
The first hour I threw a weedless frog for Largemouth but only had one show any interest so i rigged up for my next target: Drum!
I have had a hard time finding them these past few weeks during the day/evening. Tonight I caught 11 ranging in size from 13 inches all the way to 27 inches! I had two that were over 25 inches and lost a third behemoth. These babies fight! My god they put my light tackle to the test. Such great fighters, dogged, determined, all that muscle, huge tail fin and broad body.... WOW! The big boys really took out line and continually shook their heads. Fantastic! There were so many Crappie around I often had a hard time getting the jig to the bottom where the Drum dwell. It was a fun and beautiful night. I must have caught 30 Crappies and a few Channel Cats as well.
Here are two pics of the big guys, 25 inches +
I know many of you appreciate the Sheepshead and for those who don't give 'em a try! They are a great Canadian fish (they have been here for 12,000 years!) that hit lures with zest and put up a great fight. Their saltwater cousins are held in high esteem, why not these guys???
Cheers!!!
