gcban
7/14/2018 11:28:15 AMNice report Salmonbarry. I launched at Coulon yesterday morning at 8:15am, I headed straight to the S end of Mercer also. Sorry we did not get the chance to cross paths and meet face to face.
salmonbarry
7/14/2018 4:09:58 PMI think I saw you out there- we worked primarily on the west side of Mercer across from the Atlantic city boat launch but around 10 am worked out way to the mouth of the cedar then back to Coulon- I am going to try and get out again Tuesday or Wednesday morning early so keep an eye out for me!
Markin' Fish
7/14/2018 6:19:05 PMGreat Report Barry. Can't wait to get out on Monday or Tuesday. Those were the beasts I remember catching last July on the South end.
Sharphooks
7/14/2018 7:26:22 PMSalmonbarry: Congratulations to you and your young fishing partner for the success you had in the south end of the big lake yesterday morning. When it comes to beefy fish size and quality, its pretty hard to beat what you can scoop out of the big lake. I did not file a report on my outing to the north end this past week, however, the Cutties my long time fishing partner and I took home appeared to be of similar size to the fish shown in your photos. Much like you and your young friend, we hit the north end waters very early this past week at the first rays of sunlight. We fished until around 10:00 AM and then called it a day coming home with 6 gorgeous Cutties for the grill. My buddy lost one up close to the boat that appeared to be around 22 to 24 inches. As always, our strategy before spending too much trolling time in one area is to try to locate a bait fish school the Cutties are feeding upon. Up at the north end, that can usually can be done within 10 to 20 minutes of scouting the waters . That's a fishing strategy well taught to me from a former old time guide who worked the big lake. If we are lucky enough to find a bait fish school in short order, rather than fishing through the middle of the bait fish school, we like to fish around its fringes while trying to stay within its proximity. At times, that can be hard to do and very frustrating as they can disappear in a flash. We often have had very good success fishing for the Cutties using that strategy. As you might already know from reading my past reports, my buddy and I are long prejudiced toward using a 4 1/2 inch sling blade with the ACE-Hi Fly Junior #344 (Blue Spatterback) with a downrigger application. At the urging and recommendation of another friend who frequently fishes the north end of the big lake, we gave the Old Goat OG1/2.44 (black dot/blue top with white/pink under belly) a good try this past week replacing the triple hook with a siwash hook and we found it to be similarly effective behind a 4 1/2 inch sling blade. Both of these types of lures do a pretty decent job of mimicking a Lake Washington bait fish. .
salmonbarry
7/14/2018 7:48:41 PMThanks for the info and I really need to give the old goat another try as so far have only had success with them over in EA WA. I have the blue and green one which does resemble the bait fish they are feeding on so will try that next time with the 4 1/2" sling blade. Are you putting any bait on the hook or scent?
Sharphooks
7/15/2018 2:35:54 PMSalmonbarry: In regards to your question whether my fishing partner and I use bait or scent on our Lake Washington lures and hooks, we always use Smelly Jelly paste scent . We never use bait or cut bait with our lures. Our favorite Smelly Jelly scent is called Trout Feast. When using the ACE Hi-Fly Junior #344 (Blue Spatterback), we apply it to the head end near the eyes (never on the wings-can distort the action) and to each of its hooks and then we run the scent up the leader material about a foot from the head end of the lure using our fingers. With the Old Goat OG1/2.44 with the combination that I previously described and at the recommendation of another fishing friend who swears by that lure for use on the big lake, we use the same scent by applying it to the small cavity at the rear of that lure where the small bead resides. We also run it up the leader material in similar fashion to the Ace-Hi Fly Junior as well as to its single siwash hook which is a replacement for the Old Goat furnished triple hook. In each lure type offering, we re-apply the scent on a frequent basis meaning about every 15 to 20 minutes. We think it really does help attract the Cutties to these lures. You might give it a try and see if it works for you. If our wives don't have any honey do's for us this coming week, we will be back up at the north end of the big lake at some point. The Cuttie fishing up there has been simply outstanding lately. Good luck to you down at the south end.
salmonbarry
7/15/2018 5:06:19 PMThanks for the intel! I am determined to get one on the OG lures so will try that technique next time out- I did the same with treble and replaced it with a split shot/drop shot hook so will let you know how I do!