Fishing Forum

[#0000FF]Looked like today would be the last fishable day on Utah Lake...for the contest. Might also be our last trip for the year if we don't get some variance on the new parking restrictions.

BLK, IceSled and yers truly met up to launch about 7ish at Lincoln Beach. Scofflaws that we are we donned our ninja (catfish) gear, drove out on the point and launched. BLK was in his tin tub, IceSled in his camo quacker craft and I was in my Rojo ride.

Air temp was a brisk mid-30's. Water temp was still up at 56. But cold enough it made the kitties fight a bit more sluggish than in warmer water.

Nice guy that I am, I let the two members of the power squadron launch first and start fishing before I went afloat. IceSled parked over a spot about halfway out to Bird Island. BLK raced me to my fave spot and put up barrier buoys...so I had to fish elsewhere. Didn't matter. I put a smack-down on those kitties again today.

I released my first three cats...all in the two footer plus range...within about the first half hour. Then it was slow but constant for the next hour. The other two guys were drifting out a long ways from shore in the mild offshore breeze. I stayed in closer...and I kept finding fish.

I hit one stretch where I could not keep two rods out. Got bit almost as soon as a new bait touched down on the bottom. I had two doubles. Landed both on one and lost one fish on the other. My count passed a dozen somewhere in that flurry.

It slowed down a bit after that, but I still caught another half dozen or so. Then a couple of bullheads as I went through a bait-stealing school of them. It was getting on toward noon so I dragged my baits back toward my vehicle. Caught two or three more decent cats on the way, including the last one I kept to take a picture for the contest. It was 26 inches...but I had released a couple earlier that I think might have been a bit bigger. At least I got my third fish on the board.

I was sorry to hear that the other guys had not done as well. They were almost out of sight across the lake for a while and I was lamenting my lack of propulsion to go out and join them. I figured they must be whackin' 'em. I guess it's true. The water is always greener...or whatever.

Anyway, great weather and great company...at least on the same lake.

Glad we didn't encounter any county mounties and that we did not have to cough up any bail money. Hope we can get a resolution soon.
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Lols like a good time Pat, thanks for the pics.
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Nice job Pat, guess you proved it only looks greener on the other side...LOL!

Greener on the other side...? Looks like the whole lake is green-ish.... nice looking cats Pat
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From what I can see Pat always pics the greenest spots on the lake, I'm surprised those guys didn't stick close to him[cool]
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[#0000FF]Utah Lake is a big shallow bowl. As such, it is quickly affected by winds...how strong and from which direction. The south end of the lake is deeper and has more rocky shoreline. The north end is mostly shallow, with a very gradual slope out to deeper water. Prevailing winds from the south do not muddy up the lake as much as winds blowing the mud from the north to the south.

Yesterday the water was just a bit murkier than what I refer to as "walleye green". After several days of mild weather the sediment settles and the natural greenish color of the lake appears. And the greater visibility makes for better lure fishing. But as we know, catfish got sensitive sniffers and rely a lot on their olfactory senses when there is low light or poor visibility.

I threw lotsa lures yesterday...when the cats would leave me alone for a few minutes. Only a couple of very light taps...probably from little white bass. No white bass hooked and definitely no walleyes. This is the second year in a row that I have not caught walleyes from Utah Lake. In years past I have had days of 20-30 walleyes...with averages in the 4-5 pound range...and many fish up to 10#. History.
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[quote MSM1970]From what I can see Pat always pics the greenest spots on the lake, I'm surprised those guys didn't stick close to him[cool][/quote]

[#0000FF]Hey. No big secret. Ya just gotta know where they stock it just before you go fishing.

Actually those guys know me pretty well by now. They know that at least one of those "rod tubes" is a disguised surface-to-surface missile launcher. Had to get that upgrade to have a chance against the power squadron. But I also use it to discourage fellow anglers that wanna fish with me in my tube.

Actually...as BLK will attest...I always suggest that my fishing companions bring their walkie talkies so we can remain in communication. Helps to relay info on location, best baits, etc. And I always keep them advised as to where I am fishing and what is working best. I guess if I used a better deodorant they wouldn't have been so reluctant to join me.

All false modesty aside, I usually do acquit myself pretty well...especially on those catfish. And I'd like to think it ain't all just dumb luck. When the fish are active and aggressive it is not so difficult for almost anyone to catch a goodly number. But during transitional times, such as falling water temps or after a storm front, the fish can be a lot more difficult. That's when a more refined system...using the right baits, right rigging and the right presentation in the right places...can result in more fish. Sometimes my six decades of experience pays off.

But there is a challenger who has been knowed to whack me on catfish...TubeBabe...the "Kitty Queen". That girl loves her cats and has had a good guide (me). When we go out together I know enough to get her launched first...or get mowed down. And I am also smart enough to not even start fishing for cats until she has scored at least a couple. After that, if fishing is slow for her, I may have to just keep pitching plastics or avoid putting a hook on my line. All that so she can catch the most. Hey, that's my story and I'm sticking with it.
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It was too see you and Lynn again on the pond. To share the same body of water with such Cataholics is a pleasure! Part of lack of success is my fault. Being from Kentucky I grew up catching Flathead Catfish. Heavy tackle was the norm. Using 12" live bait ( shad, skipjack, hand size bluegill) around heavy brush required a different mindset. I know that fishing here in Utah is going to require me to downscale my fishing equipment for the basicly coverless structure. Sometimes it is hard for old guys like me to change my ways of thinking. Getting schooled by the Cat Master has changed my way of thinking!💡As always I respect your knowledge your knowledge of fishing and your willingness to share.
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[#0000FF]Hey Ben, I too have used the heavy gear for bigger cats. And the ones in Utah Lake are not snobs. They will bite if you serve 'em up the right vittles. They aren't all that skittish about heavy lines. But it is a lot more fun (and less tiring) to get them on tackle more in line with the size of the fish.

If you want to rebuild a couple of rods you now have into UL cat rods I'd be glad to help. Or...I have some blanks or older rods that would work too. Lemme know the next time you are coming to the big city and we can get together.
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