Spoon Chuckin' the East

[myspacedave]

Hey guys.... Just spent 3 very early mornings on east trib harbour chuckin' spoons. First day, Saturday, 6am not even a dozen casts in had a salmon strike my silver/fluro green 21g mepps syclopps. Had him on line for like 10sec, then he jumped, and f'd off. What an incredible experience for me. Rest of the weekend, not a single bite. I tried various depths, colours, and even spots on the pier. Nothing. I am casting out, leaving my bail open (so as to drop the spoon) for about 10-15 seconds, and then retrieve at various speeds, sometimes allowing the bait to fall again during retrieve. Not sure if there is a proper technique for this or not, so any help would be appreciated.

My set up Saturday was just a spoon on mainline of 6lb mono (which got the one fish). I changed my set up to 8lb XL berkely mono with a 2way swivel attached to the spoon ring, rigged with a 2/0 siwash gamakatsu hook (with no results). AM I DOING IT WRONG?!

I grew up fishing east tribs, flossing and floating mainly, as taught by my dad, who didn't know any better. I am now becoming an avid angler, concerned with conservation, and volunteering to stock fingerlings next spring. So, I now know my childhood angling experiences to be more or less fluke, and now I am learning to get these beauties to actually strike my baits, and make me feel like a more experienced fisherman. What I was hearing from a lot of guys was that the boaters were telling them that the fish are hugging the mud and not feeding aggressively. Does this mean that it's just not the right time, and we should return soon to see if they are in better spirits next time? Should I be chasing the salmon upstream into the rivers with my spoons and hardware? I just want to get away from the rivers, bc it seems that's how I snag fish, and I don't want that anymore. Does anyone want to help me out with some suggestions for how to get 'em?

 

[instapump416]

I haven't had any success yet but are people around you hooking up? If they are maybe observe what they're doing and ask questions.

I can't wait to get my first spoon salmon

 

[NADO]

your technique sounds good to me, most guys toss different spoons like 3/4oz little cleo's and other spoons that are a similar shape but i'm sure the cyclops can work too. I would go up a little stronger with the line and use 20lb braid with a 20b fluorocarbon leader. Pier salmon is a numbers game, the more times you can get out the better. The morning can be good but I prefer night time from 9pm until as late as you can stay there.

 

[salmotrutta]

Go at night with glow in the dark spoons, don't wait for your spoon to sink, it should be heavy enough to be at the proper depth during retrieval without needing to wait with your bail open after each cast.

Vary your rate of retrieval. When everyone leaves after 1-2 hours, stay and keep casting. If you still haven't hooked up, keep casting. When you're too cold and tired, put in another 1-2 hours.

 

[Fishheads]

Dave, pier chucking is very much about trials and tribulations. Keep at it. Vary presentation and technique as you go. spoons, cranks, etc, fast, slow, jerk retrieves... next thing you know you'll be in space in a deep thought about something and WHAMMMMY! Hold tight. Good luck, keep it going and let us know!

 

[GuitarBuildingAngler]

Hey guys.... Just spent 3 very early mornings on east trib harbour chuckin' spoons. First day, Saturday, 6am not even a dozen casts in had a salmon strike my silver/fluro green 21g mepps syclopps. Had him on line for like 10sec, then he jumped, and f'd off. What an incredible experience for me. Rest of the weekend, not a single bite. I tried various depths, colours, and even spots on the pier. Nothing. I am casting out, leaving my bail open (so as to drop the spoon) for about 10-15 seconds, and then retrieve at various speeds, sometimes allowing the bait to fall again during retrieve. Not sure if there is a proper technique for this or not, so any help would be appreciated.

My set up Saturday was just a spoon on mainline of 6lb mono (which got the one fish). I changed my set up to 8lb XL berkely mono with a 2way swivel attached to the spoon ring, rigged with a 2/0 siwash gamakatsu hook (with no results). AM I DOING IT WRONG?!

I grew up fishing east tribs, flossing and floating mainly, as taught by my dad, who didn't know any better. I am now becoming an avid angler, concerned with conservation, and volunteering to stock fingerlings next spring. So, I now know my childhood angling experiences to be more or less fluke, and now I am learning to get these beauties to actually strike my baits, and make me feel like a more experienced fisherman. What I was hearing from a lot of guys was that the boaters were telling them that the fish are hugging the mud and not feeding aggressively. Does this mean that it's just not the right time, and we should return soon to see if they are in better spirits next time? Should I be chasing the salmon upstream into the rivers with my spoons and hardware? I just want to get away from the rivers, bc it seems that's how I snag fish, and I don't want that anymore. Does anyone want to help me out with some suggestions for how to get 'em?

Your approach seems right on. An open water Chinook will give your 6lb line a good work out hahahaha.
I commend you on your new outlook of fishing. Too many times have I seen horrible things by other anglers on the river. I also sometimes refuse to fish mid run in the rivers because IMO, the salmon are not feeding and it is a floss fest.
Catching a salmon like that does not make me feel good about myself.

That is why my new favourite thing is winter/spring steelhead. On a good day, they can be very aggressive and it is obvious when they are feeding.

Get out there as much as possible and try to get an open water one before they all move into the rivers! Good luck.

 

[jc53]

3/4 oz spoons 4/0 siwash hooks. 2 are way too small. I reel very slow. Nooks love to follow almost to shore b4 they decide to hit. Gotta throw something diff

 

[creek chub in your pocket]

3/4 oz spoons, get a number of different colours and keep chucking til one hits.

someone mentioned reeling in right away, i dunno about that, i'd certainly give it a 8-10 second count to make sure the lure is deep enough. They WILL chase it up as you reel in.

glow in the dark are great especially if you are fishing early AM or later in the PM.

without question I would increase your line to something more substantial. I'd imagine 30 LB power pro with 12 pound floro tip would do the trick, but 20 lb floro isnt the worst idea either...less chance of snapping off.

 

[rich_ace_G]

This isn't mine...i'm posting it because this is what my spoon chucking arsenal look like add some neon greens in there and some jointed plugs. I might go for salmon sporadically...all my rods are rigged for steel. 6lb - 10lb line. i have lost interest in river fishing for salmon for the moment and just go when friends are in for a meet up but going alone. not into it...hopefully in the future i might be back for them...who knows...

 

[thebigchombowombocombo]

Guys I am so confused when someone says "east trib". I look at google maps and see all the piers and harbours in a C shape. Would this mean that Port hope AND Port Dalhousie are east tribs?

Any help on this would be appreciated lol

 

[IR4Jflyfishing]

Guys I am so confused when someone says "east trib". I look at google maps and see all the piers and harbours in a C shape. Would this mean that Port hope AND Port Dalhousie are east tribs?

Any help on this would be appreciated lol

east of toronto = east trib

 

[thebigchombowombocombo]

east of toronto = east trib

TY! So port dalhousie is considered an east trib

 

[AaronKrick]

TY! So port dalhousie is considered an east trib

No. East tribs are on the north shore of lake o, east of Toronto. Aka ditches

 

[rich_ace_G]

I'd call port D south trib...

 

[[email protected]]

cleos are the go to, since you can cast them a mile, big jointed rapalas, and some big soft plastics with 1/2 oz jig heads work well too

as for line, i use 15lb braid

 

[chinooky]

As others have said, give yourself a fighting chance and up your line strength!!

 

[openfire]

Your approach seems right on. An open water Chinook will give your 6lb line a good work out hahahaha.
I commend you on your new outlook of fishing. Too many times have I seen horrible things by other anglers on the river. I also sometimes refuse to fish mid run in the rivers because IMO, the salmon are not feeding and it is a floss fest.
Catching a salmon like that does not make me feel good about myself.

That is why my new favourite thing is winter/spring steelhead. On a good day, they can be very aggressive and it is obvious when they are feeding.

Get out there as much as possible and try to get an open water one before they all move into the rivers! Good luck.

Agreed 100%

 

[Fishheads]

cleos are the go to, since you can cast them a mile, big jointed rapalas, and some big soft plastics with 1/2 oz jig heads work well too

as for line, i use 15lb braid

This guy's 15lb braid catches boats and doesn't let go!!!

Too funny man. Lets go tonight!

 

[creek chub in your pocket]

just make sure you run a tipit off the braided line

 

[BERRRG]

Is a fluoro leader a good idea off a braid mainline? I have 15lb powerpro braid as well. I'm thinking something like a 12lb fluoro leader might work well. Might try some fancy braid to fluoro knot if that exists, or maybe a swivel. How long do you guys like to make your leaders? Obviously when using a swivel, seeing as you want to avoid the tip-top with your swivel, leader length will effect casting.