Another good night on the Trent, Cold weather with hint of snow

Arrived at my favourite shore fishing location for this time of year just before six. One person fishing on minnows - nothing. Two people just leaving - nothing.

By the time I left just before 10 the temperature had dropped to 1°C with some cold wind from west.

Before detailing the fish caught - some other highlights! Nearly full moon kept mostly hidden behind cloud made great visuals on surface of water when wind stopped. Could hear coyotes 'everywhere' - perhaps three different groups. 1 meteorite burning through sky. Beaver working and moving their spoils past us. Tonight a family of otters singing to each other. And because so cold - no bugs.

I was dressed for the cold almost as if I were ice fishing . . .

Now for the fish. While I was there 8 total caught. Seven released as over slot. I kept 1 at 15.5"

The four that I released were 28", 27", 25" and 24". Pictures with tapes measure are not accurate as fish moved - there for relative scale . . .

This photo is the 28" walleye. As was releasing didn't want to over handle for the photo - so took with curved back.

The 15.5" walleye in sink.

Note the sore on bottom jaw.

After netting 5 to 8 pound walleyes, this guy was barely noticeable in net.

The 27" walleye. First fish of the evening.

And for those still interested - the 24" walleye. It is mostly this year class that I've been catching (and releasing) this fall.

geez Bluenote you are slaying them again

Final fish posting is the 25" walleye.

If releasing the fish I attempt to handle as little as possible. Picture is not the priority rather get hook out and the fish back into the drink.

Tonight all fish struck the grub hard (black and chartreuse used) and were inside.

Elrik - the grub shows how I rig it. In this case can see the split where earlier fish hit had damaged the trigger-x. I pulled it off and replied along a different section.

Note that after I'd caught my 3rd fish - the guy fishing minnows shouted I'm changing! !! He switched to jig head with white grub trigger-x. Later he pulled in walleye over slot.

I missed on a large pike.

Overall for me a great night. And as started earlier in the post wasn't just landing five terrific fish but also the good conversations with the other 2 passionate fishing guys AND being outdoors on a terrific November night with nature all around!

Nice night we got zip at our spot it's been a slow week only two fish and both overs all week but we never fished hard this week too busy with work

Hi bluenote, where on the Trent were you, that saw you miss a Pike?

With the way the tail is curving it is hard to tell if it is the "different" way I was asking about or "normal". I spent 2-3 hours in AutoCAD this evening drawing a reference diagram and added it to your other thread (ok, two minutes in mspaint, what is this, the spanish inquisition!). If you would be so kind as to review and make note. Sounds like an absolutely stunning night, wish I had been out there instead of stuck at work in front of a computer overnight. The fishing sounds like it was top notch as well, but like you, I absolutely love those moments where nature puts on a show for you.

Heading up Monday night to try some shore fishing along the river at some of my old haunts. May be bringing a co-worker if he doesn't flake out. Going to try my new ice armor suit as I expect it to be pretty brisk out.

Cheers!

Walleye37 - not a big secret but pike are everywhere on the Trent - for past 5 years that I've been fishing. Some reports that they may now be in Rice Lake. I think I had posted about the 22" pike that I kept about a week ago .

As for specific location? No reply.

Elrik - when the grub became lose in its first position I took it off and re threaded it on - so hook came out a different place.

Well done bluenote, all solid fish..

Especially the 28"

Keep doing whatever it is you're doing.. You have them dialed it..

Right on, great report. Those are some beautiful eyes. Funny you mentioned it, I was out fishing last night as well (about 3 hours away from your location) and also saw that meteorite streaming across the sky, very cool. The clouds cleared sometime around 8ish and it was pretty bright after that - hardly needed the headlamp anymore. Besides the ice build-up on the guides it was a wonderful night to be on the river.

Walleye37 - not a big secret but pike are everywhere on the Trent - for past 5 years that I've been fishing. Some reports that they may now be in Rice Lake. I think I had posted about the 22" pike that I kept about a week ago .

As for specific location? No reply.

Elrik - when the grub became lose in its first position I took it off and re threaded it on - so hook came out a different place.

Hey bluenote, not after your honey hole, just curious about Pike in Trent. I haven't fished it in years. Used to have to go to Stirling to get them. It doesn't spell good for Musky, they don't coexist well in small bodies of water. The Pike win. All the Kawartha lakes are too small. Do you ever try any of the super glues to hold your grub on? As a matter of course I glue all my swim baits. When I put them on a jig. Money Minnows, and Berkley split bellies. Not really liking the hollow bellies, but that's just my preference. I don't usually glue twister tails, they're cheap enough. Well keep your line tight, and keep posting those pics.

Just an observation, something I picked up at a seminar. With regard to twister tail position. Tail down creates more action, tail catches water like a keel. Tail up is more subtle action, the jig head baffles the water. It sort of makes sense, if you put on your scientist beanie. I go by that theory, using it in conjunction with weather, water temperature, and fish activity.

bluenote it's like you wrote my report for me. We had an incredible night last night at my favorite Kawartha lake. Fish turned on hard when that moon popped out! Our group caught well over a dozen (we stopped counting), with three of those over 4 pounds (2x 23" and a 24"). Average fish size continues to climb as this season wears on.

I kept one, picture had to be taken at home as it was too dark for my iPhone (great camera - just not at night).

We're getting them all on minnows under a bobber. I'm kind of afraid to jig there since anything that touches the bottom is lost forever!

I am actually headed back out solo tonight for my last fish of this season. Tight lines guys.

Dutch