Quinte slow fishing theories and Report

ld · **Joined:** Wed Nov 10, 2004 2:46 pm **Posts:** 3

Well first of all had a good time at Merland's for the Nov get together. This was our second time. Myself and Oleprincecraft fished Monday and then Friday and Saturday on the Bay. Unfortunatley fishing was tough. Last year at this time we were having 20 fish days with similiar conditions and water temps. Monday we went 4 for 4, Friday 5 for 5 and Saturday 4 for 4?? So what gives?? We prefer to stay away from the crowds past the ferry...but there just did not seem to be much bait in the bay. Last year we were marking the pods of bait as well as plenty of hooks.....this year hardly anything. Anybody have any theories about the fishery this year?? The walleye and shad seem to be extremely spread out??

Lance

steve dover · **Joined:** Mon May 13, 2002 5:18 am **Posts:** 65

in my dumble opinion there are far fewer fish left in the bay of quinte then people think. 3or 4 years ago, even, let alone when it was really good, you could catch some fish almost anywhere and then there were prime spots and if you really were honed in on location and tech you could have a great day. last year the fishing was only really good in a few areas, the traditional areas were really poor (in my opinion) this year most of the boats are concentrating in a few areas and really pounding the fish when they are there and active it doesnt take long for this to come to an end. i think the fish that used to go to the most well-known spots arent around anymore-they met there demise, the ones left are the ones that had different habits and avoided the crowds and perils of nets and spears, now these fish have been more or less found out too, and arent long for the bay. i think there was a group of fish that never came into the main areas and thus survived, but that seems to be coming to an end too. the guys fishing here now are way too good with sonars, gps and info available and the bay is getting really small for the fish now. although the area we fish seems big, for the number of fish left in the area they are in, it doesnt take long to overpressure them. and cut way back in their numbers. i hope i'm way off on all this though.

targa2 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 29, 2004 2:18 pm

I think it's partly boat pressure and weather related. Fish are very deep this year and when I am on fish that I know for sure are walleyes I can't get them to bite. Steve is right about the groups of boats hitting a spot hard. It doesn't take long to turn a school off with 25 boats in a half square mile area. Get ready for ADAPTATION TACTICS boys and girls.HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.

Wall-I-Guy · **Posted:** Mon Nov 29, 2004 2:50 pm

I think it has partly to do with the lack of baitfish. When ever it's really good fishing in Picton I find myself in awe of the schools of baitfish that are around usually. I have yet to see that in the Bay this year. Are they running late? Or just not there this year. I have marked some schools on the finder but usually you see them in the Bay at night.

They're in to some degree but I think the best is yet to come. Unfortunately for me, I'm done for this year, at least with my boat...

Hmmmmmm :idea:

Maybe a charter :wink:

targa2 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 29, 2004 3:06 pm

I can assure you it's not a baitfish issue. There is actually more bait this year than last. Now I will say that there aren't as many baitfish in the inner Picton harbour but theres lots everywhere else. Never underestimate the power of major weather cycles on fishing. If you have a 3000 watt graph ( x 15 etc) you can see bait that you can't see on a lesser graph (x18 for example) I have both and there is a lot of very small bait scattered throughout Adolphus Reach. Not tight pods per se but very thin bands. Try 98 or 99% sensitivity and watch closely.

ld · **Joined:** Wed Nov 10, 2004 2:46 pm **Posts:** 3

Well I was hoping to here from you Mr. Targa, but I am surprised this post did not generate more interest. We do use an x-15 out there so I think we are close to top of the line. It just nice to catch them in the inner harbour and not make that extra run to the reach. I think your right about fishing pressure as well....that might have something to do with it. Hey you never know you might be bringing back your jigging equipment down the road...lol

Thanks, Lance

big-o · **Posted:** Wed Dec 01, 2004 2:20 pm

I was marking tons of fish....but all below 70 feet, compared to last year where we marking fish between 20 and 35 feet....also there are way more boats fishing the Adolphus reach..than last year...and futher up towards the gap.....I think this has scattered the more aggresive fish, ..I believe once the real cold weather sets in and the water temp drops a few degrees (surface temp on Saturday was 47) and it chases away a few more boats, I believe you will see the feeding fish school up in the 25 to 35 foot zone again......or maybe this is just wishful thinking

targa2 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2004 5:33 am

Hey Lance have you seen what I am talking about on the x15 re. bait fish. I find it interesting that when I am around large pods of SCREEN BLACKENING bait I rarely get bit. I get most of my fish in baitless water or around scattered bait.

ld · **Joined:** Wed Nov 10, 2004 2:46 pm **Posts:** 3

Years ago while fishing you gave me some great advise...don't believe everything you see on the fishfinder. I totally agree........because we fished east of cement plant but west of Ferry....the water is fairly shallow there in comparison to what you guys are fishing down the reach. So therefore there is less chance for us to mark anything. But unlike last year a screen was really clear of fish and bait. So in answer to your question...yes we were not marking anything really. We have alos been having some problems with alot of interference are FF. So its been a little tougher to tell. But last year we were marking tons of hooks and a fair bit of bait!!

Lance

walleye5 · **Joined:** Tue Nov 09, 2004 7:07 pm **Posts:** 37

fishing for us was great, good numbers, lot deeper than last year, faster troll, lots of fish moved up already, think of it cool summer...... water temps down............ check out the narrows might surprise you. yes I DO LOVE TO HELP PEOPLE CATCH FISH LOVE TO SEE THEM HAVE SUCESS, EVER NOTICE THE SO CALLED PROS LOL FISH ALONE. LOL

oldprincecraft · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2004 8:46 pm

targa2,

Did you notice a big difference in your x15 when you upgraded the OS? I think we're still running version 2.4 and seem to be having alot of problems with interference and losing the depth reading. We were deffinately catching more fish when not marking alot of bait.

Thanks for keeping things interesting...you'll notice that we don't post much anymore, but we're always lurking around. Any thoughts on the 18ft targa that's at boatland right now? Someone told me that you knew the guy who was running it - I've been looking for a 617 to replace the old princecraft but they're hard to find.

oldprincecraft

big-o · **Posted:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 7:40 am

Targa2

Quote:

I am around large pods of SCREEN BLACKENING bait I rarely get bit. I get most of my fish in baitless water or around scattered bait.

i found the same thing....when passing the large pods of bait ...nothing , where we seem to have luck was when not marking fish, or marking singles....it has been a strange late fall...but fun

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Quinte slow fishing theories and Report

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