Quinte Fishing

My dad and I headed down from Kitchener on Friday afternoon. Didn't fish on Friday but got the boat in. The weather forecast didn't look good, but it was either now or never! Overall, high winds, snow and freezing rain made it a tough go! Surface temp. this am was 37.7 degrees.

Saturday morning headed over east of the ferry and began marking a ton of fish but unlike our trip last year, the fish were high (10ft) or low (50-60 ft). Threw us for a bit of a loop and I tried unsuccessfully to lure the deep swimmers. We fished Saturday and Sunday for these fish with only 3 takers. One was a 12 pounder though (my personal best) and my dad also picked up his personal best at 11.5 pounds. The 3rd was dad's at 10.5 pounds. I picked up mine on a Power Minnow (FT) and my dad was using a blue and silver Walleye Minnow for both. We fished only until dark on both Saturday and Sunday and were not feeling too proud of our efforts!

Monday we battled a snow storm and this morning, freezing drizzle. We decided on Monday at lunch, after battling strong winds and no luck fishing in them, to fish in the bay, and it was a great move!! We continued there this morning too. Between yesterday afternoon and this morning, we picked up 15 in the bay (14 by yours truly - so dad ) Most of the fish we marked were up high and most were taken on FT Husky Jerk and Smithwick Rogue (FT also I believe). We didn't fish many hours in the bay and the pace was great! Had a double header yesterday afternoon and I had three this morning in one pass down the chute! What a blast! All fish were proudly released to live another day (after a few photos). Size wise, we picked up a 12 pounder, 11 pounder, 10.5 pounder, and down - also one about 4 pounds and one about 5 pounds. Regardless of the size, each one was fun to bring into the boat. I also lost one fish in the bay, early in the fight though so have no idea of the size.

Once again we had a great time and I would like to thank all of those on this Board who help out less experienced fisherman like my dad and I. This year I tried out the Offshore Planer Boards for the first time and they worked well - after I put the heavier clip on (the standard clip that comes with the boards kept coming off). Thanks to many of you folks, we had some idea of what to try and where to try. Best of luck to those who get out in the next few weeks before freeze-up. Next year, I think I will be less stubborn and trust my fish finder and if I am marking fish at 10 ft, will fish up higher sooner!!

Great Report rpaling! Man I thought we did good on saturday with 2 big ones LOL! Looks like I got a lot to learn hehehe!

when you say "the bay" do u mean Hay Bay or Picton Bay?

Picton Bay, right by Tip of the Bay, Merlands, etc. We began up close to the cement plant and just coasted in with the waves. Good luck!!

WOW

Great report Thanks , you guys had a great trip...I love those big Eye's....do you have any photo's

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BIG-O(Phil)<!!!!!><
SO MUCH WATER .....SO LITTLE TIME

Yes, took photos. Unfortunately, my digital had a dead battery so I used an older 35 mm camera for my 12 pounder. Recharged the battery and took several photos of some of the other fish but I have no idea how to get them on this site. In fact, other than pushing the button to take the photo, I have no idea how to use the camera! My wife does all of that!
Speaking of that, she cannot figure out why I would want a picture of a fish in the first place, especially after having pictures last year - I guess she will never get the 'high' that many of us take in our fishing when we catch bigger fish! I do have two nicely framed photos up in my basement of two 11 pounders that I caught last November!

I think this summer I may take the time to figure out the camera works and then maybe next year I will be able to post some photos - I do appreciate seeing them when other guys post them. Take care!!

I have a dumb question....What does "FT" mean?....as in "FT Husky Jerk"


Thanks.

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It's better when it's sloppy!

FT refers to colour - Fire Tiger. Good luck!

rpaling


I know what you meen about the camera...i just learned to use mine this year....if you want you can email me the pictures and i can post them for you.. pstinson@sympatico.ca

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BIG-O(Phil)<!!!!!><
SO MUCH WATER .....SO LITTLE TIME

Thanks....I should have known that but I was brain dead. By the way, I usually run a CL. lol

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It's better when it's sloppy!

Ron,

Great report and glad to here you did well. Nice to here some of my advice was useful. Just remember (as Targa2 I believe mentioned in a previous post) that not all fish marked deep are Walleye. Experiment is key when on the bay. What works one day, may not work the next.

Sorry I won't be able to get out over the Xmas holidays (as you mentioned to my mom). I am done fishing for the year as I am putting in some much needed family time. Maybe next year we can meet up on the bay. I won't be down for the spring opener as my wife and I are expecting our second child at the end of April.

Cheers,

Mike

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Wish I wasn't here...Rather be fishing if you know what I mean

Thanks Mike and yes, hopefully we can get out at some point! I could not believe the number of fish we were marking in the 50-60 ft range. Based on the number, I assumed they were walleye, but maybe not?? Whatever they were, I could not get them to hit - gave it a good go too. Any thoughts at what they would be at that depth. We were marking very few in the 20-40 ft range (especially east of the ferry) which is the depth we caught most last year in late November. It just took me a few days to focus more on the fish higher up - 10 ft range - and then started catching them!

Best of luck with the family Mike and have a great holiday!