[salmotrutta]

Caught this pike by dropping a shiner on a heavy jig down to the bottom of a 15ft or so pool. If you hook a shiner through the mouth with a jig and let it sink to the bottom, you can immediately see that this presentation will entice pike. Unfortunately, I set the hook way too late and the jig was deep in the pike. I did not want to release a fish with a huge jig stuck in its stomach, so I felt it was prudent to keep it. Best to use a slip bobber with this technique if you want to catch and release.




This little guy was caught with a straight hook and shiner. Initially I was going to keep it because the hook was quite deep. Afterwards I decided I could release it, and took a lot of time to revive it. It worked and the pike swam off beautifully.



Largemouth are one of my favourite fish. I just love the green! This one was a little bit big to be a keeper, lesson learned and I just stick to the 1lb or less now.

[Jim Lahey]

Some good fighting fish right there!

[MichaelAngelo]

thanks for the pics! Wherabouts do you fish?

[salmotrutta]

MichaelAngelo, on 04 March 2012 - 11:26 AM, said:

thanks for the pics! Wherabouts do you fish?

Bass pic is near Bancroft, pike shots are Conestogo River.

[basshat22]

Nice chunk'a bass right there

[NADO]

salmotrutta, on 04 March 2012 - 03:08 PM, said:

Bass pic is near Bancroft, pike shots are Conestogo River.

Conestogo River eh, thats my stomping ground. Do you fish there often?

[Porter86]

Nice catches there!!!

[salmotrutta]

NADO, on 05 March 2012 - 09:06 PM, said:

Conestogo River eh, thats my stomping ground. Do you fish there often?

That river will always hold an extremely special place in my heart! I can't believe how many good times were spent there. I was never really thrilled with my choice of university, that and 'x' number of weeks months years of celibacy can lead a man to start spending a lot of time fishing

Fishing started for me in 2009 on that river. Other than the odd outing at friends' cottages as a kid.

My fishing story:

I wanted to spend a little quality time with my sis, so I decided to take her to watch the rainbow trout jumping and spawning that spring (on another body of water). I got a rod and license for the occasion, but did not know a single thing about how to use it. Summer of 2009 in Waterloo for school, having my own vehicle and a newly acquired rod and license, I began making the odd expedition around Mennonite country. I hit the jackpot July 11th with a nice pike out of St. Jacob's. Found some good pike spots, and ended up getting my first smallies and walleye too. The following spring I got really into trout. Thought I was done with fishing by the end of 2010, having caught most of the species, but one thing led to another and I ended up fishing a lot in 2011.

This pike ignited my passion and is responsible for countless km driven to various rivers, creeks and lakes throughout Ontario, but mostly the Conestogo River. I was there 2 to 3 times a day during the summer of 2009, if you fish there, there's a good chance we've met and talked




If you have any pics from that river or surrounding ones please do post 'em up!

[MichaelAngelo]

awesome share! good story. Where you at Waterloo or Laurier?

[diggyj]

Nice Pike.

Dirk

[NADO]

Heres a few pics from last summer on the Conestogo. I have never seen you Salmo despite going out there multiple times a week as well, there are a ton of spots so that isnt too surprising. Its pretty good fishing, nothing spectacular but pretty good for close to home.

[PikeHunter]

Very nice catches in alot of those pics, gotta love the pike!!!!

So who all is from the Kitchener area? I'm by the Sunrise Centre (Ottawa & Fischer-Hallman area).. I've never really fished the Conestoga much, the odd time here and there, a buddy from work fishes by the dam in St.Jacobs religiously (mind you he does live there lol).. I usually fish the Bloomingdale ponds every week in the summer, but the Grand and Speed rivers in my old school growing up fishing days is an odd pike or carp trip I love, I know some big bass live in the Conestoga river also.

I'm seeing a road trip coming up, eventually lol.. Worshipping the Fish God's to bring good juju to the trip is a must lol

[salmotrutta]

pikehunter69, on 12 March 2012 - 04:19 AM, said:

Very nice catches in alot of those pics, gotta love the pike!!!!

So who all is from the Kitchener area? I'm by the Sunrise Centre (Ottawa & Fischer-Hallman area).. I've never really fished the Conestoga much, the odd time here and there, a buddy from work fishes by the dam in St.Jacobs religiously (mind you he does live there lol).. I usually fish the Bloomingdale ponds every week in the summer, but the Grand and Speed rivers in my old school growing up fishing days is an odd pike or carp trip I love, I know some big bass live in the Conestoga river also.

I'm seeing a road trip coming up, eventually lol.. Worshipping the Fish God's to bring good juju to the trip is a must lol

Is your buddy Kris? Used to see him there all the time if it's who I'm thinking, long haired guy that always wades out by the dam.

Spending time fishing that river in the summertime is soul food. With the Mennonite farmers around, you can't help but feel you've traveled back in time.

Nice pics Nado.

[PikeHunter]

salmotrutta, on 13 March 2012 - 12:50 AM, said:

Is your buddy Kris? Used to see him there all the time if it's who I'm thinking, long haired guy that always wades out by the dam.

Spending time fishing that river in the summertime is soul food. With the Mennonite farmers around, you can't help but feel you've traveled back in time.

Nice pics Nado.

No, his name is Randy and goes between the dam and by the old folks home by the bridge in town.

[NADO]

pikehunter69, on 12 March 2012 - 04:19 AM, said:

Very nice catches in alot of those pics, gotta love the pike!!!!

So who all is from the Kitchener area? I'm by the Sunrise Centre (Ottawa & Fischer-Hallman area).. I've never really fished the Conestoga much, the odd time here and there, a buddy from work fishes by the dam in St.Jacobs religiously (mind you he does live there lol).. I usually fish the Bloomingdale ponds every week in the summer, but the Grand and Speed rivers in my old school growing up fishing days is an odd pike or carp trip I love, I know some big bass live in the Conestoga river also.

I'm seeing a road trip coming up, eventually lol.. Worshipping the Fish God's to bring good juju to the trip is a must lol

Im in Laurelwood at Fisherhallmond and Columbia, ive had the most success with the Conestoga I hear most people say the grand is better but I always seem to do best on the Conestoga. I havent fished the Speed yet, ive caught a few nice Walleye on the Nith. I also fish the bloomingdale ponds from time to time they are great for bass, carp and panfish. Im going to fish the dam in St. Jacobs in about 50 min once i get off work.

salmotrutta, on 13 March 2012 - 12:50 AM, said:

Is your buddy Kris? Used to see him there all the time if it's who I'm thinking, long haired guy that always wades out by the dam.

Spending time fishing that river in the summertime is soul food. With the Mennonite farmers around, you can't help but feel you've traveled back in time.

Nice pics Nado.

Thanks Salmo, the mennonites do give a certain feel eh. I am always racing them to one of my favorite pike spots in Floradale, if they beat me to it about 15-20 of them pull up in their buggys and take the whole side of the river lol. Luckily cars are faster than buggies Come to think of it I might just head out to the Woolwich resevoir in Floradale today instead of St. Jacobs.

[PikeHunter]

NADO, on 13 March 2012 - 03:12 PM, said:

Im in Laurelwood at Fisherhallmond and Columbia, ive had the most success with the Conestoga I hear most people say the grand is better but I always seem to do best on the Conestoga. I havent fished the Speed yet, ive caught a few nice Walleye on the Nith. I also fish the bloomingdale ponds from time to time they are great for bass, carp and panfish. Im going to fish the dam in St. Jacobs in about 50 min once i get off work.



Thanks Salmo, the mennonites do give a certain feel eh. I am always racing them to one of my favorite pike spots in Floradale, if they beat me to it about 15-20 of them pull up in their buggys and take the whole side of the river lol. Luckily cars are faster than buggies Come to think of it I might just head out to the Woolwich resevoir in Floradale today instead of St. Jacobs.

I'd say the Grand and conestogo are pretty similar, it's just whichever you feel more comfy or "at home" with. I grew up in Hespeler on Harvey St which was a stones Throw to the speed, I've caught some really nice pike and carp there (especially carp in the spring time when they're trying to jump the dam). I've never really fished the Nith even tho my parents trailer is in New Hamburg lol, I've fished the Nith in Drumbo, some decent carp and pike in my sweet spot tho. I love Bloomingdale ponds, the kidlets come and fish for abit and then go nature walking around the other ponds, my cousin and I got a nice start to our perch fish Fry when we were on the ice in Feb.

I may head upto the dam Friday evening after supper and stay till dark, all this talk has brought the itch hard and fast lol.

[NADO]

Give the dam a few days, the river has breached the bank in a few spots

[PikeHunter]

Bloomingdale ponds is always a sweet fallback plan tho, gotta drop the daughter off after supper and then upto the ponds I go, that new beaver den is calling my name lol

[salmotrutta]

I've heard a lot about the Bloomingdale ponds but never checked them out. I think I was near there last summer, scoping out a section of the Grand. Yet to wet a line on the Grand though. I found a few gems on the Conestogo and for the most part just stuck with them.

Thanks for the update Nado. Did you end up fishing in Floradale?

Couple more days for walleye in zone 16, couple more weeks for pike. I've never targeted either species in the spring. They are probably going to spawn early this year.

I heard about a spot that is supposed to be amazing for spring pike on the Conestogo, I'll send you a PM.

[NADO]

I found out that the gate to the dam is closed until May 1, didnt feel like walking down that road for a short evening fish.