Candid Photos from the Seamy Underbelly of Pike Fishing

Taking photos in a kayak with a big, angry fish does not always go as planned. Sometimes you gotta hang on for dear life because you absolutely DO NOT want a 30+ inch Pike loose in your kayak! Just thought I'd show some of the funny photos I have from the last few weeks.

 

7/23/14 Drumroll Please

Mike and I got out fishing on a reservoir the other day. Mike had a good report from the last several days down there. I had never fishing for drum before and did not know that they would aggressively take a crankbait. Boy was I missing out! Not only will they take a crankbait, they are excellent fighters at any size. We trolled small crankbaits in 7-10 feet of water. One trick to try while trolling with a kayak is to constantly change speed and direction. It seems like the changes trigger fish that may be following your lures. Channel Cats for instance will most times take a lure when it is moving slowly or almost coming to a stop. We caught a mix of Drum, Channel Catfish, Bass, and Crappie. If you're looking for something different to try this summer. Consider this a great alternative species!

 

7/19/14 Wildcat Creek Outfitters River Outing

4 Members of the Wildcat Creek Outfitters Kayak Fishing Team met up on Saturday. We floated a stretch of river that according to the DNR was approximately 6 miles. Between the four of us, we caught many Pike, a few Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, and some Rock Bass. I alternated during the day between throwing big streamer flies and throw a big double-bladed spinnerbait. Most fish came on the spinner. The 6 mile trip turned out to be well over 10 miles. We had to portage or push through numerous deadfalls and laydowns along the way. One spot in particular had a laydown across the river that had a spot just big enough for a canoe/kayak to get through. Jameson and Tom had already gone through. I was still casting as I was drifting to the laydown. I threw a cast and turned to Kyle who was behind me and said "Wow this would be a terrible place to hook up". Just as I finished saying that, the biggest Pike of the trip shot out from under a tree and took my lure. As I was fighting the fish I smashed into the tree I should have been avoiding. I somehow managed to keep the fish from wrapping me around anything under the water. The trip wore on and soon enough we were 9 hours into our float trip. The take out came into view and Kyle said "would anyone think it was weird if I got out and kissed the boat ramp when we get there". Funniest thing I have heard in a long time, but yes Kyle. Yes it would be weird. Had a great trip. Enjoy the pictures.