Spring Plugging for Steelhead 4/8/18

          Mike and I wanted to get out and do some Steelhead fishing. Mike wanted to try plugging on the St Joe River in South Bend. We did some internet research and Mike talked with some people at a local tackle shop to get some tips. Mike bought a few lures and I brought what lures I already had that I thought may work. With very limited knowledge, we set out early on Sunday morning to hit the river in Mike's boat. The weather was a balmy 22 degrees to start with and everything was cold and frosted over. Before long the sun popped out and the temperature mercifully started to rise into the 40s. We set our lines and waited, and waited, and waited some more. We had been watching people on the bank getting hooked into fish pretty regularly, so the jealousy monster was starting to show it's ugly head.
          We had been on the water for about 2 hours and had nothing to show for it. Were we in the right areas? Were our lures working the way that they should? We really had no idea, so we then came up with a new plan to slowly drift down the river and let the plugs continue to work in the current. Less than 100 yards downstream, boom! One of the rods started dancing and it was fish on! Mike kept the boat straight and I battled in and netted a nice little Jack Male Steelhead of about 24". Ok! We were on the board and at least knew we were potentially doing something right! My main concern at this point is that we did not have a net big enough for a good sized Steelhead. I definitely felt a little under prepared and wished I had brought a good sized landing net from home.
          Another hour and a half went by and then all of a sudden the same rod got nailed again. It was Mike's turn so he jumped off the steering wheel and grabbed the rod. I kept the boat straight. This fish was definitely nicer than the first and was giving Mike a nice battle. It managed to get tangled into another line so it was definitely going to be a bit of a mess. When the fish was ready I jumped off the wheel and netted the fish for Mike. It barely fit in the net, but I managed it. We got it into the boat, got it unhooked and untangled. I snapped a couple of pictures and Mike sent the fish on it's way back into the river. We were over the moon excited after that fish. We had tried something new and were having decent success at it! Before the day started I had only given us a 50/50 shot at getting one fish. We had already well exceeded that and it was only just after noon!
          Once we got to the end of the run, we pulled our lures and ran back upstream to set up for another pass. We got the lures back to running and went back to waiting. About 2 hours later, finally a different rod was dancing and we had our third fish of the day on! I jumped up and grabbed the rod. The fish was full of energy and was giving me a good battle. I pulled it up to where I could see it but it did not want to give up! It fought for a few minutes before it was ready to come to the net. Mike came off of the wheel and grabbed the net. He attempted to net the fish but it did not go well and the lure got hooked on the outside of the net! Anyone that has fished know that if a lure gets hooked on the net it spells disaster and usually ends with a lost fish. Luckily the fish was tired and did not really try to escape at that point or I am sure it would have been gone. Mike hauled the net into the boat with fish hanging off of it! Not the recommended way to boat a Steelie! I got it unhooked and Mike snapped a few fantastic pictures of the fish before I put it back in the water, got it revived, and sent it on it's way.
          After that we went quite a while until our last fish of the day. I'm really not sure how long it was. At one point we got two of our lines very tangled up and it took me quite a while to get them undone and back to fishing. After having them back in the water for only a few minutes, one of the rods buckled and fish number 4 was on. From the looks of it and the line it was taking, this fish was going to be the nicest of the day. Mike was worried it was going to spool him so I steered the boat into the middle of the river and went into neutral so that we would float downstream and he could gain some line back. He got some line back on the reel and was feeling better. I put the boat back into gear and Mike continued to battle the fish in. At one point it was on the surface and was upside down. Mike was worried that it was snagged. I told him that I was sure that it was probably just wrapped up in the line as it had to been going ape for more than several minutes. Before long the fish had got unwrapped and was fighting again. Mike finally got it to the boat and we could see that it was a massive double red stripe male. It was definitely fair hooked and from the looks of it had absolutely crushed our plug as the entire lure was in the fishes mouth. I did my best to get it in the net but even with it's head all the way in the bottom of the net, more than a foot of the fish was still hanging out! It was impressive and beautiful. It had more crimson on it than any other color and had a sweet kype with tons of gnarly teeth! Definitely the fish of the day and Mikes largest Steelhead to date! Mike got a sweet picture of me reviving the fish before we sent it on it's way.
          We had caught 4 fish while trying a new technique! We learned many valuable lessons and we will be gearing up with the right net and rods for this type of fishing and I am sure we will be out again as soon as possible. Unfortunately our schedules and the weather have been uncooperative and we may have to wait until the fall to try for the Steelies again. Only time will tell!