Lincoln stuff

[Boatloadakids]

So... met TD at the Lincoln launch at 7:00 this morning. I agreed to the meet up with him even though I could not fish today because of some life issues. He had offered me a sample pack of his latest flig creations in exchange for additional mentoring on ketchin’ cats. We exchanged the obligatory elbow bump and a few curmudgeonly pleasantries as he prepped to launch. I welcomed a few new super fligs to my collection. Big thanks.

I had an hour or so before I had to be back home so I agreed to watch him with my spotting scope from the road and provide helpful instruction and advice via radio. I sure wanted to be out there on the water with him and it was tough having to be spectator. Soon!

I watched /listened to him catch a couple of minor cats while I continued to observe his technique and offer tidbits of piscatorial tutelage. Right away I noticed his casting was deficient in that he consistently used too much wrist action and also had a tendency to elevate his elbow which caused most of his casts to be off course and short. I made many suggestions as he fished; slower speed, bigger hook, different flig, bigger white bass chunk, hook through the gill plate on minnows, basic stuff like that. He responded favorably with a raised thumbs-up gesture... I think it was a thumb?? Anyway, the day turned out to be rather pleasant and I am happy to report that TD is a quick study type and his cat ketchin’ skills are improving. Still, we need more time together to really help him hone his skills. We agreed on another learning session in my boat at a yet to be determined date.

Watch for his version of today’s venture and Thanks Pat, I enjoyed our short visit.

[fish_fear_me2]

That made me chuckle. Need to focus the spotting scope better when he gives you hand signals you may have got it wrong

[Mooseman75]

This was great BLK... Maybe you can watch my crew one day and give us pointers their a bit more rowdy though and only work for treats lol

[SkunkedAgain]

Lynn that was a great post, enjoyed it very much and looking forward to Pat's reply... Later Jeff

[TubeDude]

So... met TD at the Lincoln launch at 7:00 this morning. I agreed to the meet up with him even though I could not fish today because of some life issues. He had offered me a sample pack of his latest flig creations in exchange for additional mentoring on ketchin’ cats. We exchanged the obligatory elbow bump and a few curmudgeonly pleasantries as he prepped to launch. I welcomed a few new super fligs to my collection. Big thanks.

I had an hour or so before I had to be back home so I agreed to watch him with my spotting scope from the road and provide helpful instruction and advice via radio. I sure wanted to be out there on the water with him and it was tough having to be spectator. Soon!

I watched /listened to him catch a couple of minor cats while I continued to observe his technique and offer tidbits of piscatorial tutelage. Right away I noticed his casting was deficient in that he consistently used too much wrist action and also had a tendency to elevate his elbow which caused most of his casts to be off course and short. I made many suggestions as he fished; slower speed, bigger hook, different flig, bigger white bass chunk, hook through the gill plate on minnows, basic stuff like that. He responded favorably with a raised thumbs-up gesture... I think it was a thumb?? Anyway, the day turned out to be rather pleasant and I am happy to report that TD is a quick study type and his cat ketchin’ skills are improving. Still, we need more time together to really help him hone his skills. We agreed on another learning session in my boat at a yet to be determined date.

Watch for his version of today’s venture and Thanks Pat, I enjoyed our short visit.

Alright, alright.  Yeah, it was good seeing ya again after a long winter...and the elbow bump was especially gratifying.  Almost turned around and didn't make it during a whiteout blizzard between Point of the Mountain and Pleasant Grove.  Glad I stuck it out.  Left the weather behind as I headed west to Lincoln Beach.  Roads dry and temperatue a blistering 35 at launch.  Water temp inside the harbor was 48 at launch but outside it was down to 47.

As you observed, I started off trying the shallow cove to the south of the south dike.  Nada, zip, zilch.  Tried plastics for white bass and/or walleye.  Nary a sniff.  Motored toward Benjamin Slough making big S turns...watching sonar.  Saw a few minor bottom bumps in 4-5 feet of water.  Just as I was shutting down to start fishing I hear your golden voice on the radio.  You don't know how much it means to me that you have taken on the onerous chore of mentoring me.  And that "hand signal"?  You can believe it was a thumbs up...if ya wanna. 

After your words of encouragement and advice I promptly caught two cats...one on minnow and the other on a fire tiger flig with white bass attached.  Couldn't have done it without ya.  But I didn't get any more action until after you left.  Then the kitties came out to play.  I went through over a dozen chub minnows and about a half dozen baby white bass left over from last year.  Only missed a couple of bites so almost every bait accounted for a fish.  I'll conservatively say about 15.

No contest entries today, but much fun and lots of tugs.  Bent my sticks and stretched my string.  The water is still cold at 47 to 48 degrees, but the cats are warming up and getting active.  Most of the hits were pretty hard and the fish all fought well.  I caught and bump-boarded a couple of 2-footers...as my largest of the day.  Most were right about 22 to 23 inches.

My earliest fish came from the mid 4 foot depth range.  Later they moved out to the mid 5' range.  I fished two rods.  One was an open bail (with line clip) with a whole 5-6" chub minnow.  The other was my new Ugly Stick cat rod with a fire tiger flig and either a half or whole white bass.  Bites were about 50-50 during the time I fished both.  I periodically switched back to pitching plastic...but never caught anything on it.

It had been nice all morning.  Glass at times and never more than a light "fishing ripple" from the east or south.  But about 11 o'clock the north breeze kicked up and I couldn't buy a bite on my last two baits for the last half hour before I bagged it and headed for the ramp.

First good day of cat-catchin' this year.  Hope we have many more.  Might even agree to climb in the boat with you for some advanced training.  I need all I can get.
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[Cowboypirate]

Had to let Cookie read that exchange. Then I had to explain why BLK was tutoring TD (not). Then she read the about the finger and she peed her pants laughing. Goodtimes.

[TubeDude]

Oui, Oui (wee wee)

[Bovineowner]

That was an entertaining read. Glad to hear the cats are starting to stir. I can't wait to catch a big one in Goshen bay. BLK, this is the year you break the three foot mark.

[catchinon]

TD, when you mentioned using white bass for bait it reminded me of an exchange I had with my wife yesterday. She was rummaging around in the freezer and after she spit out an "Ouch!" she asked me if I had left hooks in my bait fish. I explained that the bass have stickery fins and she would just need to be careful. I got the idea she would like me to take them out of "her" freezer. I guess I will take some of them out soon to go fishing with me. 

[TubeDude]

TD, when you mentioned using white bass for bait it reminded me of an exchange I had with my wife yesterday. She was rummaging around in the freezer and after she spit out an "Ouch!" she asked me if I had left hooks in my bait fish. I explained that the bass have stickery fins and she would just need to be careful. I got the idea she would like me to take them out of "her" freezer. I guess I will take some of them out soon to go fishing with me. 

I usually fillet the larger white bass and only freeze small whole ones.  But if you have a problem with spines poking holes in your plastic bag...or your tender flesh...use some poultry shears to cut off the spiny fins before freezing.  Here's a pic of a cat that fell for white bass on a flig.

[MSM1970]

You guys where late or early not sure, I dont remember seeing the white s10, glad to see you got some love, oh I need some more stuff Dude. I'll pm you. Just like Pat to give a little tast of stuff and get hook  on it  right Lyn.
It sure was a beutiful weekend for fishing.

[TubeDude]

Good drug dealers know how to get ya hooked...so you will buy more and pay more.

Always glad to contribute to your addiction.

Shoot me a PM and I will put you on the list.  Just maintain your social distance.

[MSM1970]

I was doing social distanting long before it was cool, Im so good at it we didnt even see each other at lincoln yesterday.

[Rainy]

I am curious as too what a flig is it looks like a crankbait of some sorts if its private i can respect that nice cats by the way

[TubeDude]

I am curious as too what a flig is it looks like a crankbait of some sorts if its private i can respect that nice cats by the way

"Flig" is my cutesy name for floating jig.  I have been using them for a lot of years to fish bait or plastics a bit up off the bottom with fishy colors and bling.  Since I make most of my own stuff, I have been making my own fligs too.  In the last two or three years I have added a lot more designs and colors that Utah fishies seem to appreciate.  Here are some pictorial PDF files that will show the designs and colors...and some diagrams on how to rig and fish them.

[fast_randy]

Great report Pat. It's good to hear the cats are getting a little active. I will be down soon. 
And those downloads are awesome. I will need to get some fligs from you when I get down your way.

[TubeDude]

Great report Pat. It's good to hear the cats are getting a little active. I will be down soon. 
And those downloads are awesome. I will need to get some fligs from you when I get down your way.

It will be good to see a fellow Idaho spud again.  Lemme know when you plan to be here and we will work it out to team up on the water.  Also, if you have time afterward I'll be happy to give you a quick show and tell on making your own fligs.  Got a few wrinkles that make it faster, easier and better on the quality control.

[Rainy]

Thanks TD i bet there killer on the walleyes as well as the cats

[TubeDude]

Thanks TD i bet there killer on the walleyes as well as the cats

You betcha.  Floating jig heads were originally developed for presenting crawlers and minnows up off the bottom specifically for walleyes.  That's how I was introduced to them and I have introduced a lot of them to Utah walleyes.  About the only Utah species that I have not caught on fligs might be suckers.  See the attached PDF file for some fish porn on different species.  However, due to the file size restrictions on our "new and improved" system I had to abbreviate my original writeup.

[Anglinarcher]

TD, At least you are getting PDF's to post.  Maybe this site will get up to speed.

I can't even remember how long ago I bought my first Float Jigs.  There were styrofoam I think, the paint they used came off, etc., etc., but even back in the 80's they caught fish.  The bigest problem I had was that they didn't make the ones I wanted that would hold up a big chunk of cut bait.

I'm working on that now.     If we get locked out of work like everyone else, I guess I will have lots of time to tinker.

PS, just playing with the features trying to figure it out.