Hey all, I'm new to posting on these forums and I hope to help out with updates as much as I can. Just wanted to give an update of CJ strike. Went out there yesterday 10-28. It was very windy and chilly cold. Didn't have a ton of action, but was able to get 2 rainbows. Usually let them go, but we wanted to eat some good fish for dinner [
]. One was a little guy 9", the other was a fatty at 16". Seems like the trout are biting more now that its cold. So if you can get out there on a non windy day, you should have some good fishing. Also what is most dominant population in that reservoir? I'm assuming its not a very high consentration of trout as there are a lot of warm water fish in there also, but it was my first time out there so I don't know much about that reservoir.
Hey Maverick,
I was out there as well. In fact, we spoke just below the dam. Welcome to the forums. [
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As far as dominant fish, I would say that with over 250,000 rainbows stocked each year, they are the dominant fish number wise however bear in mind that they have a high mortality rate as they are fed upon by the other species present. From the reports I see here (thanks Kodiak) it seems as if the larger rainbows are by the dam area (above it). They stock the planters off the Bruneau arm (Cottonwood) as they seem to have a better survival rate to adulthood so you may catch smaller there but possibly more numerous depending upon when they plant it.
Many folks here talk about fishing the "hump" specifically for crappie however you will need another to chime in as to exactly where this located in the reservoir.
Anyone out there know if the eastern edge of the main area (dam) is publicly accessible? I see a few roads on the satellite maps and it would seem to make more sense starting there from a float tube at times. (Think due north of Cove park on the other side by the inlet.)
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thanks for the update welcome to the forum
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haha, Stillin I was wondering if you were a part of these forums when we were talkin yesterday, lol. I'll have to try by the dam next time when the wind dies down a little more. Was a fun trip though. [cool]
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I would say the Crappie and Bass are the dominant species but I could be wrong. Maybe it's because that's what I fish for there.[
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Welcome aboard. Nice trout.
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Welcome to BFT. I think that Crappie are probably the #1 fish there as far as numbers go.
Windriver
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StillinIdaho,
The "hump" or "submerged island" is pretty much straight out from the norther edge of the Air Force resort--just a tad north--and about half-way out. Just look for the boats. They are always there!!! I have spent many a day--and night for that matter--fishing from the bank on C.J., but the trolling in the fall is much better. As far as predominate species, my vote goes to the crappie, but you are right, Idaho Power seems dedicated to their trout plantings, and I hope they continue to do so. That is why it is important to call in your report when you get a lip-banded trout. (If it has two bands, you just won yourself some money). Mike
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I had a fish on the line right before it got off I saw it had a bright color neon orange on it. Im assuming that was a tag? What cash do you get for reporting those?
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OH NO!!! You lost a million dollar fish!!!![shocked]
I don't know the payouts, just had to throw that in there.[cool]
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[url "http://www.idahopower.com/OurEnvironment/FishAquatic/fishStocking/fishTagInfo.cfm"]http://www.idahopower.com/OurEnvironment/FishAquatic/fishStocking/fishTagInfo.cfm[/url]
Here is the site that describes the tags, with pictures. Mike
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Check out a couple of video's we took on the 21st. We finished the day with 8 trout; all 16" to 17".
Youtube search: C.J. Strike Trolling
My grandson is landing a 16" trout in the first and the other is a general one of a beautiful day at Strike with 4 trout already in the cooler.
This was our first attempt at video with a small Sony digital camera.
Heading down again tomorrow if the wind forecast remains the same.
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Nicely done. Trying to get back down there myself tomorrow and see if I can't get that place and those fish figured out!
That wind is what puts a stopper on it for me.
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Wind is definitely the variable. I don't head out unless its under 10 mph forecasted.
Just a pain to troll and keep the boat straight. Okay forecast for tomorrow but you never know. It can change.
As far as species at Strike, who knows? More fish in that lake than most I've seen. I can usually spot the trout on sonar and the sturgeon but all the crappie, perch and the bass can be a blur or a big red ball in between. The trout have good separation between arches and generally hang between 10 to 30 feet this time of year. They hit most things trolled near the surface so they aren't deep.
I'll post results.
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Eh, here's a list of fish I know for a fact are in Strike, having seen them with my own eyes:
Bass (smallmouth, largemouth)
Bluegill
Bullhead (brown, yellowbelly)
Carp
Channel catfish
Crappie (black, white)
Pikeminnow
Pumpkinseeds
Rainbow trout
Sturgeon
Suckers
Yellow perch
Someone pulled out a walleye out of there last year, but that was probably a result of a bucket biologist.
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Burt,
Great YouTube footage. Sure glad you had a director along for the boat ride!! "Zoom in on my fish". Funny.
We are heading over Wednesday. Sounds like a great day; perhaps our last shot at some really nice Indian Summer.
Thanks for sharing the grandson's fishing skills. Mike
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[quote Aluma165]
I can usually spot the trout on sonar and the sturgeon but all the crappie, perch and the bass can be a blur or a big red ball in between. The trout have good separation between arches and generally hang between 10 to 30 feet this time of year. They hit most things trolled near the surface so they aren't deep.
I'll post results.[/quote]
What do the sturgeon look like on sonar? Ron
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idahoron: In a word: Large...
Seriously, Quite frequently I paint a long, low arch right on the bottom. Usually alone or with wide separation from others. Much longer and lower than anything else on sonar. Figure it's either a sturgeon or "Nessy". Not aware of any cats that large in Strike?
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Mike: I do have "the boss" on board. "Get the net" and "zoom in on the fish" I guess you'd call it "directorial license". We're heading out in about an hour for an afternoon boat ride... with hopefully a few trout.
I'll try and capture what I suspect is a Sturgeon on my f.f. this trip or the next time I see one clearly.
I'm sure you've seen these monsters on the bottom.
What I still wonder about are those big returns on the bottom of Lucky Peak...
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I wondered the same thing about Lucky Peak - have seen some very prominent arches on the bottom in depths well over 60-100 feet deep.
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They could be perch. Perch usually hug the bottom, and if they are tightly schooled, the depth finder could pick them up as one body.
I catch perch in 45+ feet of water on CJ all the time.
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