Any intel if the macs are up into spawning yet?
I've got a couple of weekends in Sept planned for hitting it hard, hoping they decide to play along...
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A lil early for the mac spawn. Usually late Sept. to End of Oct.
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Yea, like jaklakmak says ... still way too early. In fact, I think the Bear Lake Mack spawn runs the last three weeks of October through the first week of November.
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I agree. Although I have seen them in the marina as early as the first of oct and caught milting males during the whitefish run into December. September is a good time to catch em prespawn tho. I'd imagine with the warmer temps this year the spawn will be later as in the last few weeks of October.
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Samesies. I always go off of the General Rifle Deer Hunt and the October Full moon for the mack spawn. Furthermore if you are planning a boat attack, I would look to do it before the spawn, or afterwards.
I always think of the spawn as a bank fishing snag fest - although my dad has actually did pretty well at getting legitimate bites casting from the bank during the day. I wouldn't go at night though unless you enjoy watching 10+ year old fish being poached.
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RM, why are you interested in fishing during the mack spawn? Or maybe my real question is; Do you plan on snagging the spawning macks as opposed to hooking them in the mouth?
If you are planning on snagging them, then I will be the first to start a flame war targeting you. But if you are planning "normal" fishing for them, shoot me a PM and I will share with you some good mack spawn fishing info.
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We are not snagging fish. Will be running electric downriggers trolling. So maybe the question should have been when is the best time? We usually plan sep weekends around the moon phases too stay clear of full moon.
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Ok guys/Got Bait...
1st of all, strictly catch and release. I am a firm believer of keeping a limit of stocked fish for the dinner table but NEVER at Bear Lake... Bear Lake Macs are kind of religious for us. Enjoy the love a great fishing partner and a great fish...
I never plan a fishing trip during a full moon. I specifically stay away from Bear Lake on full moon days and schedule my time for other weekends.
So... full moon in October is around the 20th. Expecting that they will be spawning around that time, I'm pretty sure I want to fish pre-spawn putting me on the lake the weekends as follows:
Weekend of 14 Sept - 1st quarter moon fishing
Weekend of 21 Sept - Full moon - (no fishing)
Weekend of 28 Sept - 3rd quarter moon fishing
Weekend of 5 Oct - New moon fishing
Weekend of 12 Oct - 1st quarter moon fishing
Weekend of 20 Oct - "The Spawn" full moon - (no fishing)
Thoughts on the best weekends for success?
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Way too early
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OK RM, I'm no biologist so I have no proof of what I'm about to say but here goes:
I suspect that when macs (or most any of the Utah sport fishes) are in spawning mode, they could care less about whether the moon is full or empty. They care more about whether or not another fish (or your lure) is messing around in their spawning bed territory.
Having said that, I have to admit that I too put a higher priority on fishing closer to a new moon than I do a full moon. My experience is that I catch twice as many fish on a new moon than a full moon. Most fishing guides I know pay little or no attention to the phases of the moon. That's one reason (of many) I'm no fishing guide.
But anyway, as for the moon thing and how it relates to spawning macks, I say ignore the moon and pick any day and go.
I'd like to hear other opinions too.
--- Coot ---
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