First off, thanks to our favourite board member Landshark for putting together another phenominal event. These things aren't easy to pull off! I think it shows the quality of this boards membership!
We showed up Friday with the intention of prefishing. Well, winds made that quite a challenge. Set up at the Ferry and trolled to the gap. Didn't turn around until it was time to motor back....and the winds hadn't died any for the run back.
However, we did hit enough fish, walleye and drum, to have a pattern put together on short notice.
I've never fished Quinte in October for anything but bass. The walleye aren't quite as active as they are during my normal time...but it also nice not fishing in the freezing temps.
We started in our preferred area - the bat cave. Fished a 6 rod spread that looked as follows:
2 riggers set at 35', both pulling worm harnesses, 2 five colour cores pulling spoons, and 2 long lines pulling 3 ways with divers on the bottom and spoons or worm harnesses on the top.
It wasn't long before we were into a double header to start our tournie day. Loved the fact that it was the light spinning rods off the riggers taking the first shots.
Figuring out we found an active pod, we trailed back and our five colour got slammed.
We found that if we trolled too slowly, we'd get these pesky things....ok i guess...just not on this day!
However, on light spinning tackle these things can actually put up a fight (ok, a small one)
Weather did get sloppier as the day went on...but hey, it is quinte!
Finally our long line fired.....and it was pulling...that meant drum!
and then we started culling..
With not too much time left, we knew we needed one more kicker fish to "seal the deal"....and the leadcore rod went off, causing the board to dive! I thought it was going to be our first 15lbs'er....
Dad fought it like a champ.
But it wasn't meant to be...another 8-9lbs'er that didn't make the cut.
Here's us figuring out the best three.
I thought when driving back that we may have had a chance...but figured someone was going to bring in a big girl....our biggest was just over 13lbs.
And yes, the boys from OTTAWA kicked our butts! Good on you guys....must have been the side by side cottages at West Lake Willows!
But we did manage a strong second place for our collective efforts!
Our fish were released....one went down and two floated...I spent the next 20 minutes making sure the two floaters, which all were fine, just stunned from the livewell, swam away....all under the watchful eye of the MNR!
Again, thanks for putting it all on Shark. It was great fun!
Scott, you have an amazing place to stay - 1st class!
Thanks for the invite gents. 9 drum and 4 walleye; sure can't complain!