SkeinMachine

Nice chunks of chrome Bill :yahoo:

Even though I'm a dedicated,hardcore lake angler,I've always have a place in my heart for pierhead casting.There's nothing like the arm jolting hit from a King.Many factors are involved to be successful,we'll discuss several. Timing: I generally start in early August,dawn & dusk aswell as throughout the night are peak times(Kings are light sensitive).The best time to go is anytime you can.Early in August,you have to put the hrs in casting,your targeting scouts as we call them,Kings that come in to sniff the outflow from the trib.Fish are usually few & far between,but the ones you hook are rockets,200 + yrd runs are common.As a added bonus,this early in the month,there's little no no angling pressure,unlike later in the month & into September. Weapons of choice: I prefer a med-heavy action rod,in the 10 1/2 ft length for casting(St.Croix wild river series),with 8-10 lb mono(Suffix aswell as Maxima Ultra Green are favs-low stretch lines aid in good hook sets).Others prefer braid,it's a personal preference.I use a number of different reels,including Okuma,Daiwa,Abu Garcia(4000 size reels provide enough line capacity).Purchase a quality reel,the drag system is very important as lesser reels wont hold up to repeated smokin' runs. Retrieves: This can make you or break you.At times the Kings want a steady retrieve,other times a slow crawl.I've found the warmer the water(70 F +),the slower the fish want it.The spoon has to wobble while being retrieved,not spinning(same as downrigging).A pause once or twice during the retrieve works wonders some nights(Kings are notorious for following lures,the pause makes the lure flutter or stall right in their face).The hit is subtle,usually just a tick or a light bump-set the hook).Also they'll grab the lure and come towards you,creating slack in the line,again you feel instant slack,set the hook!! Charging them up: With all the glo spoons on the market,one thing remains the same.Don't overcharge your lure,making it too bright(unless casting into stained/murky water,then it can be a good thing).Casting into clear water calls for a subtle glo(a black light or flashlight works well).A rookie mistake is hitting the spoon with a full force camera flash,you can see the halo from the glo, 5 ft around the spoon as it comes in.Remember Kings are light sensitive,a little glo goes a long way.How many times have the Kings been hitting while making your 4th or 5th cast with a glo spoon,after charging it up?A pattern is developing,they want it toned down a bit.By using a flashlight or blacklight you can have immediate success,without wasting the first couple casts until the glo fades. Rattlers & plugs: Rattle Traps,Rattlin Spots,Rattlin Raps,Canadian Wigglers,etc are dynamite casting lures in mid Sept through October.One tip is to add a 12 inch(barrel swivel to cross lock)20-30 lb mono shock leader.Without a shock leader on the crank baits,Kings seem to cut you off on the hit.Doesn't happen with spoons,just the rattlers.Again,a slow steady retrieve is better than burning it in.Bright colors work well on those cranky,staged fish.The longer the fish hold off the pierhead(weeks without rain are prime),the better they'll perform.At times,the fish will take the lure as it falls(we call it on the drop,so we count the lure down with a tight line after the cast is made.Been many nights when that's the only way they'll hit. Sharp Hooks: Always touch up new hooks on your lures,their never sharp enough out of the package. Paying attention to details can turn just a night casting to kill a couple hrs into a arm wrenching,shoulder aching experience.

RAC's for me,best adult alewife imitation going(IMO). Various colors,can't pick just one

That's after being cleaned.................... :lol: :lol:

At least he went doing what he loved....... Sad loss(always watched the show). R.I.P. mate!!

Ouch Bill,I've wondered that too,somedays you can't do sh_t to keep them on. It's bad enough when your rec fishing,let alone tourney time:butcher:

I'm fishing the Scotty Tournament on lake O on Sept 3rd & 4th weekend........... Should be alot of 130 + lb boxes(5 kings).

:clapping: NICE!!

A-TOM-MIK TS Hammer fly + white flasher(either a SD or pro troll)or cut bait/flasher off a wire diver. That's my prediction even though I don't fish the L.O.C.

I'm predicting a 42 lb King to take the grand prize :lol:

Nice pics Tom,thx for sharing.

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Thx Mike;)

I'm very picky when it comes to hook sharpness. IMO,a hook isn't sharp enough until it wont slide across your thumb nail. Even the chemically sharpened hooks(Owners,Gammy's,etc)can do with a touch up. The chrome hooks that come on alot of baits require a different touch. Light pressure with a fine hone(4 or 5 strokes towards the hook eye),just enough to remove the chrome off the hook point is often all thats required. I always check the hook points as soon as the lure comes out of the package. Heaven forbid I see someone send a brand new lure down without the thumb nail test....... :no:

Thx Bill,they've been milling around for a week or so now,seems one night it's rockin',next it's dead.

Good show Bill,now you have to paint up a Habanero dodger;) Wonder if a flasher manufacture will make one up(they already have the NBK SD).? Just a matter of time..........................

Fished from 21:30-01:30 Saturday night/Sunday morning...................... One of the locals(John)... Here's mine........ 7 Spot- Petes spoon(1 ounce)& a 1/2 ounce Petes in the 5 of diamond did our fish,the King in the net was taken on a 3/4 ounce cleo(green/white glo). Action started around 22:00,tapered off by 23:00(must of been 30 guys on the west side breakwall-saw them hook up twice). 6 hooked in total,4 landed(largest 23 lbs).

Who's eating who? :jester: :lol:

Use a short leader off the core(15-20 ft)to minimize the lift effect from the rotator/dodger. Same short leader theory applies to copper.

Pending on the color of the water we're fishing. If it's dark green,then a fully charged up bait is required at dawn,,clear conditions dictate a subtle glow(too bright is a bad thing too). Camera flash,black/UV light,spot light all have the time & place.

Here's a couple I use.............. MySmilies Emoticons4U Animated Gifs

Better yet,you call their 24 hr help line to talk to one of their techs,and it's someone you can't understand................ :shout:

Will you loose anything from the forum with the upgrade?

I live with fear all my life,sometimes she lets me go fishing.... :butcher:

Well written article,nicely done :good: Copper next?