Renewed spoonplugger

[Bill]

Hi, I'm Bill from Ontario, Canada, now in S. Texas. I got a gift subscription to Fishing Facts when I was 17 ( about 1977) and then bought Buck's book and the study course. I have been rereading it all lately since discovering this site and having some time off. Back then and still as far as I know, from reading fishing forums, it was still the dark ages of fishing knowledge wherever I fished. I have never seen anyone with a sonar, or a lake contour map or any idea that you just had to "know" the places to fish and what color lure was best. I did meet one guy who had spoonplugs and read FF. Most people are only good at shallow water.

The first time I used spoonplugs I had a no-name trolling reel and NO-BO, with a rod I modified myself, which I still have and without comparing it to yours , It works well for me. I was in one of the Kawartha lakes trying the tackle out and I remember being instantly impressed how fast I had to go to get the 250 to wiggle. Most people fish far too slow. I was bumping bottom ok and then hit a snag. Since It was my first time trolling I hadn't set the star drag and quickly got in trouble. Finally released the free-spool and got a huge backlash, turned the boat and sat there for a while untangling. I had experience with baitcasters before. After I fixed everything up I resumed trolling and soon hit what I believe was a big musky, turned me in the seat and cut the motor but he shook off. Felt like a log swinging on the end of the line. Later I got a Penn reel.

I have been working on a Lake of the week post about a muskie lake in Ontario, I fished it several times but it has a reputation as a tough lake, also contains pike , walleye, SM, but in reading the study guide I noted something Buck said about looking for structure when lakes are drawn down and having no recognizable structure when full; structures are all deep. Well this is the case in this lake, the map basically shows no structure shallower than 25 ft. Of course the map is not 100%, I found a saddle to an island that didn't show. Lake goes to 46-50 feet. Also it is a semi clear lake with weeds to 9 or 10 ft., partially spring fed. I wonder if the lake depth increased due to something seismic altering the outflow area ?
The other lakes I fished I found it difficult to troll shallow using a 400 or smaller, too many docks, beaches, weeds and large rocks.

I'll get the post and map photos up on Monday.

[Kevin McClure]

Hello Bill, Glad you found us. John Bales has 3 DVD packages that he put out in around 2011 in case you might be interested. Glad to meet you and looking forward to seeing you around the forum. Kevin

[BV Rives]

Welcome Bill, Are you fishing in S-Tex.? Are you a snowbird? I was in Goose Bay in 1957. again welcome Bob.

[Koz]

Bill - welcome to the forum. Where are you at in S Texas? I'm in Brenham and thinking about taking the plunge again.