A Stop Over Trip

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Jon & Andreus were with me today for a shot at some new fish. Being from Switzerland, they had not caught bass before and were hoping to tangle with some smallies. They were heading to Ungava Bay for a 6-day Arctic Char fishing trip and had an extra day to spare. Why not fish while you’re in Montreal!

We headed out in a good SW roll of 2 to 3 footers and stopped on an offshore shoal to start the day. Hopefully the bass would cooperate! I started them on soft plastics and it didn’t take long before they were both hooked up. Although not huge, these were their first ever smallies and a pic was needed for their proof. Several more were landed before I switched Jon to a crankbait and his first fish was a nice, over walleye! Andreus soon followed with another bass and things were looking up. I usually like to rest the area and rotate certain sections when I’m fishing here, but it wasn’t going to happen today. Another boat moved in and although he never fished on top of us, he did get in the way. Each time we moved off the spots, he was quick to move in! Obviously, he knew the area too! They continued to catch fish each time we relocated, but going back for more wasn’t as productive. Eventually we just left and moved on!

I had wanted to do a deep dropshot drift and headed out over 30 plus feet of water to give it a try. With the wind having subsided some, it was easy to back slip in the current with the aid of the new electric motor. I had to replace it the day before when the original one crapped out from a faulty lower unit seal. I will be getting it repaired and will now have a spare should something else ever occur!

Several drifts were made over various depths and some fish did come aboard. Unfortunately, most were of average size and not worth continuing in these depths. Jon did have one good quality bass hooked however that he thought was another smaller fish, until it took to the air beside the boat. There goes a beast, I told him! Regardless, we were going to make another move and head shallower to see if they could get into more active fish.

I made a long run and hit the shallows where they threw soft plastics to entice several more bass. Nothing big but plenty of action! Several doubles were had in the time we were here and it seemed like the shallower water was the place to be! When things slowed and another move was needed, I knew exactly where to go. We were making a real long run to a spot I hadn’t fished in quite a while. Hopefully the big ones would be there!

The wind had picked up again and skies looked threatening when we arrived, but the fish were biting. Jon’s first bass proved to be the biggest of the day and we had just arrived! With the strong wind and storm front moving in, these fish were active. Several bigger ones came aboard and even more were missed and lost as well. The best part however was that the storm missed us and stayed away the entire time. Too bad the winds couldn’t have done the same! They had increased once it had passed and now, we had a bumpy ride back to the take out. I decided to give it extra time and stop close by to see if they cold dropshot a few more fish before we were done.

The rollers were 3 footers where I wanted to fish but we drifted with the help of the electric motor. A few more fish were landed in the short time we had left before we pulled the plug and called it a day.

Jon & Andreus had a great time catching plenty of smallies today and they both couldn’t believe how strong they were. Pound these are by far the toughest freshwater fish that swim! They can definitely attest to that after the day that they just had! Hopefully their trip for Char will be equally as rewarding in the next week too. I’m sure they will be remembering their Canadian vacation for some time to come! Both trips that is, of course!!