In our on-going efforts to reduce the predation load at Yuba, four of us ventured out from Painted Rocks this morning. Wyoguy, Rowdyfish and a friend joined me for a pretty nice day on the ice. The predicted storm hadn’t reached Yuba today and we had good conditions with a little south breeze.
We found the ice conditions basically unchanged from last week. The edges are mostly solid with some buildup in a few places but getting on and off wasn’t a problem.
There were several other groups at the ramp when I arrived at 0730 to wait for the Evanston contingent.
We took ATVs and went north and west about two miles to a large shallow bay on the east side of the lake. We could see some other fishermen across the lake and two vehicles had driven down to the shore on the west side near the large pressure ridge.
We set up in 20 feet of water near the location Pikeman99 and I fished last Thursday.
Action was very slow.
At about 1130 I saw a large target on my Showdown that came up from the bottom, looked briefly at my deep line and then it went directly up to my shallow line which was 11 feet down. The rig was a treble hook on an 8" nylon coated steel leader. I also placed a large Colorado spinner blade at the top end of the leader. I thought the Colorado spinner blade would add some flash to assist the pike in seeing the bait in the low visibility water. I would estimate there is only about 3 to 4 feet of visibility at Yuba now. The fish remained right at my bait for nearly a minute and I had just about decided it was a carp or some other species not interested in the chub strip. I had a very quick and violent strike and I set the hook on a good fish. Due to the shallow depth, the fish was at the hole in a short time. Rowdy assisted in landing the pike by getting a grip in the gills. The pike was just over 38 inches in length, 17 inches in girth and I estimated the weight at about 12 pounds. We didn’t have a scale with us today.
Here’s a photo of the pike, my biggest ever through the ice.
I figure removal of this pike probably saved hundreds of small fish destined to be added to the biomass soon. When we returned to the ramp in the afternoon there were about six or seven vehicles still there. Apparently the KSL Outdoors story last week has generated some interest and increased fishing pressure on the pike. It really shouldn’t hurt to remove some more of the toothy critters.
I thought since I retained one pike over 36 inches today, I was sure to catch a 46 inch, 32 pound State record which I would have to release. Didn’t happen but not for the lack of trying!
Here’s a photo of how I rigged my bait today. This photo was taken after the pike tore it up quite a bit. It started out as a four inch long fillet with the tail attached.
I found a website that has a method of estimating weight of fish by using the length and girth. According to their chart, my pike should weigh about 11.85 pounds. We when split up the fish this afternoon I checked the stomach contents and found a 10 inch carp in the belly. Therefore, I think my estimate may have been pretty close. [;)]
Mike
I would estimate there is only about 3 to 4 feet of visibility at Yuba now.
It sure is a bummer for using underwater cameras. [frown]
I thought since I retained one pike over 36 inches today, I was sure to catch a 46 inch, 32 pound State record which I would have to release. Didn’t happen but not for the lack of trying!
I was waiting to hear it happen. Great fish, great story!
Saw your truck this afternoon at Painted Rock. Nice fish. We fished about 1/2 mile south of the boat ramp and yes very murky water and a slow bite. We brought out only one today, 33" long. It was also packing an 8" perch in its belly and gave us about a quart of nice fillet pcs.
A 33" fish is a nice one. If you see me over there again, stop by and say “Hi”. I enjoy meeting the other BFTers anywhere I go to fish. Now we know where all the perch have gone!
Very nice fish Mike. It looks like I didn’t miss a whole lot of action by not driving down. Damn weather forecasts anyway. We didn’t get any weather up here to speak of, just a skiff of snow and that was it. But I saw a report about Pineview area getting some rain.
We might have to join you next week if you make another trip to Yuba. Let me know.
i think your estimate might be on the light side.. the 35 inch pike i caught down there was just over 13 lbs.. so your fish would be closer to 15 lbs i would say.. very nice fish all the same!
Whaddaya mean? Isn’t walking on water the ultimate TopH2O activity?
I’m looking forward to Powell this spring when I can get the Lund out with the new Merc ProXS. I figure about 7 weeks should do it.
Let’s get together down there with your Dad and brothers.
I figure about 7 weeks should do it.
Let’s get together down there with your Dad and brothers.
Mike
what’s wrong with next week? (just kidding).
Richard is heading there today, I think. But I don’t think he’s fishing. Or, rather, it’s not intended to be a fishing trip. I’m sure if he get’s a spare 30 seconds, he’ll make a cast…
You could be right Ron. The pike was really fat and it had shoulders. This photo shows the girth of this fellow (lady actually).
Heck, without a scale out there, it might have been at least 16 pounds. [;)] Part of the bulge was the 10 inch carp in the belly.
I think my Dad and I said hello to you on the ramp as we were getting our stuff ready to head out. I’m sorry I wasn’t more friendly, but I guess I was a little excited to head out for my first pike. I think I have actually met you a couple of times on the water out at Starvation. I was on my Tubedudified float tube up in Knights Hollow and you came by in your boat two years in a row (2011 and 2012) if I remember right.
Anyways, we were the ones fishing on the other side of the lake from where you were. I ended up with a 25 and 29 incher and lost two more right at the hole. The 29 incher had a small pike in its belly when I cleaned it. It was a great day out on the ice and a blast to catch my first and second pike!
I’ll make sure to introduce myself if we ever cross paths again.
Sounds like you guys had more action. We may get down there again next week. One of my friends had the flu this week and couldn’t make it yesterday. If you see us, definitely say hello. We might have to try the other side of the lake in that area. There could be better visibility on the far side of the pond. Pike are all about sight feeding. If they can’t see it, they can’t eat it.
