Lincoln Beach Blowout 5-20-05

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]After Theekillerbee was properly introduced to Utah Lake last week, at Lindon, he wanted to broaden his horizons. He talked me into playing fish hookey Friday to show him what Lincoln Beach was all about.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When we met up in Salt Lake, about 5 AM, there was a south wind blowing. He expressed concern. I told him I had done my famous "anti W" dance and that we would be okay at Lincoln Beach. I also assured him that he would catch some fish. He had brought home a nice cat and some white bass from Lindon, and his wife had HINTED that he needed to get some more of that good stuff for the table.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The wind blew all the way to Spanish Fork, but (as I had promised) it was calm at Lincoln Beach. The high water levels (yahoo) have pretty well wiped out all the best launching spots around Lincoln Beach, so we settled for putting in at the launch ramp. A lot of extra kicking for me, but TKB brought the motor for his pontoon.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We saw fish activity and metered some fish inside the channel, but I got only one light tap on plastics. We got out of the channel and began dragging bait and casting an assortment of spinners and plastics as we moved north toward the springs. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Water temp inside the channel was 62 and was 1 degree warmer in the main lake when we launched about 6:45. There were a couple of boats that launched about the same time, and several more came out afterwards.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Lots of scenery and wildlife. The snow covered mountains across the lake were a nice background. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There were quite a few pelicans, both on the water and later flying and gliding in big circles at high altitude. Saw some big rooster pheasants, some honkers and heard some cranes. There were quite a few grebes on the water, and several pairs were doing their PWC imitations as part of their courting rituals. A couple of those grebes popped up out of the water, after fish hunting dives, quite close to our tube and toons. [/#0000ff]

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[#0000ff]No action until about 8:30. TKB drew first blood, with a 4.75# channel that beat him up pretty good. I was still concentrating on throwing lures, trying to get a walleye or some white bass. There were schools of fish breezing through at middepth in 7-8 feet of water. That is also the depth where we ultimately found the most cats.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]After TKB netted his second kitty, a smaller one, I got serious about bait soakin'. I worked over into an area with a pronounce "edge", where the depth went from 6' to 8' within a couple of kicks. That was where we scored almost all of our "pickups". I bagged a 3# and a 2# channel in fairly quick succession and then went fishless the rest of the morning. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Well, not exactly. The carp were getting frisky along the edges of the lake again, and I was running low on my supply of carp meat. I kicked over to a weed covered newly submerged hump, where the carp were "frolicing". I got out of my Super Fat Cat and pushed it into some stickups to anchor it from the light breeze. I then "force fed" a jig to a 5# sized carp. The carp promtly powered into a mass of salt cedar, made a granny knot and a couple of half hitches with my line and swam off with my jig.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I unhooked my landing net and set up in a channel being used often by the carp, in about a foot of water. Two scoops later, I had a couple for the bait box in my freezer. Oh yeah, there was a boat that just cruised in and anchored close by and they were having a good time watching the antics of an old "white boy" netting carp. (while shuffling around in shallow water while still wearing his fins)[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I customarily leave the spring loaded lid on my fish basket open, with the spring detached. Shortly after kicking back out to "fish country" the largest of the two carp spied the opening above and launched out of the basket like a Polaris missile. Scared the heck out of me. I had just resolved myself to having to make do with only one bait carp when that smaller rascal followed the first one up and out.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]TKB had brought 5 channels to his toon by now, but the fishing died by the time I got back into action. The water temp had risen about 4 degrees, but we both dragged bait on two rods for another hour without hooking up. The two boys in the boat, fishing in shallower water, under bobbers, did bring in a small fish and had several more enthusiastic hooksets that resulted in nothing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Oh yeah, TKB scored one last fish on the way back to the launch ramp. A hungry white bass slurped up the big piece of carp meat he was dragging for kitties. It wasn't a big one, but he kept it anyway. His wife decided she likes white bass.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The wind had been calm, with occasional riffles across the water. About 10, the wind came in from the north for awhile. I wondered if the forecast front was on the way, and we started moving back toward the harbor. The guys in the boat started packing up too, but they had their anchor firmly stuck in the rocks. No matter what they tried, it would not come loose. They finally cut the rope, but only after a lot of sawing with a very dull knife. TKB suggested that it was probably their fillet knife.[/#0000ff]


[#0000ff]Motorized TKB was almost back to the channel opening when the north wind stopped and a very strong south wind came out of nowhere. I was still a long way from sanctuary, and had to power kick for a long ways to get inside the channel. Then, I had to hug the south dike and keep kicking like crazy to make headway against the wind.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Had to dodge some wackos playing with their PWC next to the ramp while trying to stand up and get out on my tired old legs. TKB already had his trailer backed down to the ramp, so we loaded up and headed home.[/#0000ff]

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[#0000ff]In spite of the fickle wind conditions, we had a fun morning. I think TKB has a new fondness for Utah Lake.[/#0000ff]
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[Theekillerbee]

It really was another nice day to be on Utah Lake. We didn't have a stellar day like some people have had down there, but it sure was nice. Also nice to learn another area that holds some fish.

One thing TubeDude forgot to mention was that after watching him net a couple of bugle mouths, I decided to paddle close to shore and have some fun with a few carp. I removed an oar from the toon and let the Cherokee Indian in me (not really) run wild tomahawk style! Those carp were only thinking of one thing, and you could walk right up next to them. After whacking a few on the head, I headed back out for some real fish. I wish I would have brought my bow this time, as I could have made several of those big dudes meet their maker. Of course I only do it for the June Sucker![]

We had about 2 hours where the fish wanted to play, but after that, it was pretty slow.

Once again, a big thanks to TubeDude for giving me a couple of private lessons on Utah Lake. It will be on my list of must fish places from now on.
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[svpdgcar]

[#505000]You turkeys!!! You know I have Friday's off...... and I live in Spanish Fork....... and I like fishing Lincoln Beach..... []. Hahaha that's ok. I spent most of friday working on tricking out my tube. It's almost done, and it's going to be sweet!!! [cool][/#505000]


[#505000]By the way congrats on what sounds like a great day at Lincoln![/#505000]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Hey, we waved as we went through SF. Can't hep it if you was still in the sack.[/#0000ff]
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[fuzzyfisher]

hum i did not see you there yesterday.. i was on the jetty yesterday from 7:30 to 9:00.. i was out there the night before and my buddy's truck broke down out there so i was down there fixing it for him.. and catching some fish as well..

TD how can you call your self the infamous one when you let not one but two nasty old carp out smart you!! lol..
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[Theekillerbee]

Hey fuzzy, as it was my first time down there, I'm not sure where the "jetty" is, but if you were broken down by that big Winebego, you probably couldn't see us. We were fishing a couple hundred yards north of the launch channel, and we would have been obscured by the dike. Too bad you didn't join us.
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[doggonefishin]

It sounds like a great outing was had yesterday. Can you teach us the anti W dance? Congrats on some nice kitties.

When I was down there exploring the flooding Wednesday, I did find a convenient float tube launch site that will put you right on the 3rd spring area without having to carry equipment more than 20 ft. from your vehicle. PM me for details if interested.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Hey Fuzzster, I thought that you, of all people, would appreciate my innovative way of C&R carp conservation. Before I became "ecologically enlightened" (and infamous), I handled carp a bit roughly, and many carp that I released "unharmed" probably did not survive. Below is a picture of one of my past "releases".[/#0000ff]

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[fuzzyfisher]

see that is why i'm haveing a hard time visualizing 2 carp jumping out of your fish basket... must have been fakeing being dead?

hum must be realy smart carp in that there lake.. [sly]
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[Theekillerbee]

What a cruel cruel man you are Pat! Wish I could take the credit.
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[tomegun]

[green][size 2]My hero's[]
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[Spades]

Sounds like lots of fun. Nice pics too. I've never been to Lincoln beach myself but looks like a nice place to fish. Good to see you got some nice fish. As for those carp, it's a good thing we don't have any of those jumping carp or Utah Lake would be a very dangerous place.[pirate]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Hey Spades, good to see you back with us. You would like Lincoln Beach. Lots of "interesting shoreline" down there, with assorted wildlife. More than most parts of the lake.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One of the things about that area that makes it so attractive to me is the diversity of conditions. It is not just a big mud bottomed bowl, with a gradual slant out to slightly deeper water. There are lots of rocks and shelves and cracks and crevices for a mile or so around that point. Plus, there are several springs that pour into the lake there, which can affect the fish drawing and holding potential.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You would have a good time there with your banana (kayak). However, without a decent sonar and temp guage you would be handicapping yourself. A big part of finding fish (cooperative fish) is first of all knowing the basic contours and then using your electronics to put you on the best spots.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]This time of year you have to make a decision when you go out the channel. Do you turn right, and fish the flats where Benjamin Slough empties into the lake...or do you turn left and head for the springs and the rocks? The speed and range of your yak gives you more of a choice than us slowpoke tubers.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The area off Benjamin Slough can be good for all species this time of year, as the white bass are attracted to the inflow when they are in a spawning mood. The walleyes and the cats follow the whites, looking for dumb ones and inviting them to be dinner.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The area off the springs, where all the rocks are, is attractive to channel cats in a spawning mode, because cats spawn in that kind of underwater real estate. There are usually both white bass and walleyes in the area too, if you can find them and convince them to bite. Be sure to fish light heads on your jigs, because those rocks eat tackle. Fishing bait under a bobber is the best way to minimize tackle loss and it is effective too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The carp in Utah Lake jump quite enough thank you. Any float tuber who has been scared by a leaping carp close to their tube...especially when night fishing...will know what I'm talking about. That's enough to make your laundry bill go up. They can also make you nervous when they bump against your legs at night. Suddenly you hear the theme from jaws playing in your mind. Da dum. Da dum. You're gonna need a bigger tube, etc. Maybe that's a good reason for me to think about yakkin'...keeping my lower extremities out of the water.[/#0000ff]
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[Spades]

Thanks for the tips TubeDude. I actually do have a finder with temp sensor on the transducer that I use for icefishing. I just finished rigging it up for my yak early last week. I posted pics in the tube section. I'll have to give Lincoln beach a try sometime.
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[morcey2]

TubeDude, You probably don't remember me, but we corresponded much on the old utahfishinders board. I think my name on there was yecrom, but I'm not sure. My wife accidentally sent you an invitation to one of our family reunions a couple of years ago. You didn't miss much. [] I also caught a 7 1/2 lb walleye out of the provo river at about the same time. You told me that was nice, but if I could repeat it, then you'd really be impressed. So I caught a 7 lb one about 2 weeks later.

Anywho. Now that you still probably don't remember me[cool], You said that when you got back in utah, we would hook up, and try to hook up. It looks to me like you're back, so ....

Just glad that you're still educating everyone and have somewhere to chat that won't degrade into a name-calling.

Matt

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Hey Matt, welcome aboard the BFT fishatorium. Sure, I remember the exchange on the walleyes. I gotta ask...how are you doing these days?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Keep your eyes on the board, because we DO plan some open get-togethers, which are good places to meet other members. If you wanna work out a personal trip connection, send me a PM (private message). Just don't be invitin' me to no more family reunions. I can hardly stand going to my own.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]By the way, you list yourself as a "Professional Geek". I think we have a few more of your ilk on the board so you should feel at home.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You mentioned the (defunct) UtahFishFinder. I don't know if you knew it, but I was "Officer Friendly" on that board, serving as unofficial moderator. But, I did not have editing abilities...only the right to send emails to Rich (the website host) and he would delete the worst of the problems. Towards the end he did not even check his emails or do anything to police the fragrant flaming and profanity. That was about the time that Predator was made the first Utah moderator and helped build the Utah BFT site into what it has become.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I moved back up to Utah late last year, and I am doing my best to revisit all my old fishin' holes. I still have a lot of catchin' up to do. I have been able to meet a lot of BFT members, but there are a lot more that I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. It seems like planned group trips are about the best way to both get in some fishing and meet other members. Only problem is, my wife (TubeBabe) likes to fish too and we sometimes prefer to do serious fishing trips together...on a more solitary level, for some "quality time". [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]So many fish, so much water, so little time.[/#0000ff]
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