Fished Strawberry again this morning - solo in my boat. Limited - fish are continuing to turn in anticipation of the spawn. Most all colors worked, Pink Purple, Orange. Orange!!! I haven't used Orange in 2 months, but caught two today. The teeth on the changing fish seems to be tearing my tackle up. Had 4 break offs at the boat - thus my experiment with Orange.
They are still going, at least for a little while.
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They look tasty!
Thanks for the post.
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In the brine as we speak, to smoke tomorrow.
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Nice -- that one a plus 3 lb'er? at least it looks big compared to the others...did you measure it? I think last Sat. was my last Kokanee day....ended on a high note (pretty much the whole season) so I'm just gonna let them alone to make lots more baby fishees...I agree on the orange (with a little silver tinsel) it was dynamite for us the last 2 weeks....Guluk...
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"The teeth on the changing fish seems to be tearing my tackle up."
[#0000FF]Have you ever tried making your leaders with Silver Thread Excalibur? I have been using it for several years...ever since I discovered it in Arizona as a cure for getting bite-offs from flathead cats. Never lost another one afterward. And in Utah I have landed pike, walleyes, cats and tiger muskies on Excalibur as light as 6# without a break or bite-off. Good clarity and suppleness. Works great as an ice-edge resistant line too.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I used to use it as a primary line, but now I use Nanofil with Excalibur as a leader. I have filler spools in several sizes and would be glad to provide some samples if you would like to try it.[/#0000FF]
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Ya, how big is that large male. Looks like a big fish!
Good on you, still catching limits this late in Aug. I might have to run up & get one more trip in.
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I did not measure or weigh that bigger one, but my guess is he just goes 3lbs barely. I have got bigger ones a couple weeks back - at least 2 that were right about 4lbs. The comparison is deceiving, the other are a bit smaller.
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I am not aware of Excalibur - not sure I have seen it at Sportsman's. I would love to try it. I searched a bit online - looks like a co-polymer line. This is going to sound really dumb, but would I think of it like a mono-filament? Not a braid? I see it in 3000' filler spools on Amazon for $80. Does it come in smaller spools? I appreciate your kind offer of samples, but don't to take advantage. Any more info would be helpful - I think this would be really good stuff.
Thanks TD - good suggestion.
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Sorry, that big one looks bigger in the photo, because the others are smaller. The fish are still coming. Today they were a bit shallower, though it was harder to figure because I was solo and could only fish 2 poles. When my wife or someone else goes, I can stack and prospect more depths. Today, 45' was almost too deep. 35' was probably better, but it took a while to figure out - i didn't believe the electronics - thought they were probably cutts. Soon as I brought things up, I did better.
They are still biting - last year I got my last limit on Labor Day, but they were all so red, I released them.
I will be up again Wednesday this week and again on Saturday - wife and nephews want one last crack at them. After that I will decide if it is time to hang it up until next year. It has been a great one - I will be dreaming of summer Kokes all through the ice season.
If you are a John Wayne fan, you remember the line from the Cowboys, after Mr Will Anderson (John Wayne) is all shot up, he looks at the boys and says "Summer's over".
The next scene the boys are standing around his grave. Kind of feels like that. See if I can last it out one more week.
Good luck if you try it again.
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It does come in smaller spools if you look around you can find some. I think I got mine from tacklewarehouse.com
Silver thread is hands down the best non-braided line you'll find.
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I always found Silver Thread a bit brittle as a main line, but it is good as any mono line for a leader outside of 100# plus hard mono for my Muskie and Cuda leaders.
Yes, it is more like a Mono, not a braid at all.
Thanks guys for the help. I have fished a long time and know mono and braid, but was unfamiliar with this particular product. I know how strong braid is, but have never considered it a leader material. I have been using a 15 lb mono to tie my leaders. Glad to know there is a stronger product. I am sure you guys with the muskie/northern/cuda experience would know the best stuff. I will be getting some soon.
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[#0000FF]Yes, it is a co-polymer. It is a very clear mono-like material. Low memory, abrasion resistance and super knot strength are the attributes I have appreciated most.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I fish catfish a lot. And they are notorious for rolling in the line and nicking up leaders with their serrated pectoral spines...as well as taking you into "sticks and stones". I use 14# Excalibur as a leader for catfish...even though they are not line shy and often no leader is even needed. But I also catch walleyes, wipers and other species on the minnows I fish, so having a good leader can help with the "ABCs" (anything besides catfish).[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I have most of a 3000 yd. spool of the 14# Excalibur in my supply. It is getting harder to find either at local outlets or online. So I would not consider it an imposition at all to "download" a few yards for you to "try before you buy". PM me if you would like to visit my "playroom" and pick up some line. I'll get you my address and directions.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Otherwise, you might want to visit [url "https://www.lurenet.com/super-silver-thread-filler-spools-6d391ff98f304e1374d3892bf0250f36"]LURENET[/url] (link) and look at the newest version...Super Silver Thread. I have not had a chance to try it but my sources tell me it is as good or better than the Excalibur.
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