Sturgeon Lake - Aug 23, Bass + walleye

[Skippy]

Had some time to get out on the kayak again, but had to be off the water early afternoon. Decided to hit up Sturgeon as my app noted winds to be manageable and I have done better there in the mornings anyway.

On arriving there was a bit of chop, but not too bad. Paddled out a bit then realize I left my anchor back at the car. Stupid mistake. Paddle back in, grab it, paddle back out.

Get to the first spot I want to fish, make a couple of casts and get hammered. Fight for a bit and can feel it is a big fish - unfortunately my hook set must not have been very good. Fish jets straight up out of the water near the boat - would have been one of my best this year, but one head shake and the hook is thrown - boooo!

Fish the spot a bit more with some other baits but no other bites.

The good news - after that lost fish I don’t recall losing another one today.
The bad news - fishing was much slower than I expected and the wind and waves picked up significantly. While I have been out in bigger waves and higher winds, the combination in my kayak was sometimes an issue. I was very thankful I went back for my anchor otherwise it would have been even tougher to fish today. That said anchoring with this particular set of wind and waves often resulted in water rolling over the top of my kayak and moving often ended up with water splashing up and over too - nothing that would put me at risk of sinking or capsizing, but I did end up soaked. Thankfully the water is warm and even wet I was still comfortable fishing.

Back to the fishing. I certainly didn’t figure out the pattern today. I caught a fair number of smalles - cookie cutter 14-16 inches, but they came on a mixture of baits - I didn’t see a preference. What’s more other than one instance of catching 2 walleye and a smallie in one location, all my catches were single fish then moving to catch another single fish. I did not see a single Muskie this trip, which is also a bit odd.

Anyway - still an enjoyable outing.

[Skippy]

Walleye

[Hank Jr]

Thanks for the report glad you caught some fish . The wind can cause problems but sounds like you had a good day .

[nbender81]

Nice day Skippy...

I was out this morning battling the wind and my arms are toast this afternoon! Partly from casting all morning too. It's the only way to fish in the kayak without an anchor. Fight the wind and cast, cast, cast. So, I ask...what are you using for an anchor?? Most of the water I fish is less than 15 feet. I don't have a lot of room left in the yak after my gear goes in. An anchor could sit in the rear open area...let me know! I am always at the mercy of the wind. This was my best of the day...had good day myself...smallies were on.

[Bredan2003]

Nice fish!!

[Skippy]

I use a claw anchor on my kayak. I believe it is only 5 pounds and 50 feet of marine anchor rope. I tend to fish in 15 feet or less, but I think I read somewhere you want 3x the depth as you don’t anchor straight down, but rather behind yourself depending on the wind/current.

If I’m fishing a soft or loose bottom it may not completely stop me, but will slow me down significantly - just let out as much line as possible. If there are weeds, you will almost always fully stop after a while, but will also pull up 20 pounds of junk when you want to move.

If you get hung up on the bottom (and I have been many times) - just paddle back over the anchor and you will normally free it. The only really difficult thing I’ve found is anchor behind me and snagged lure in front of to the side - not fun. I know some people will have a float on the end of their anchor - let it go, free their lure and then paddle back for their anchor.

Hope that helps.

[Ion66]

I got caught out in an anchored canoe once. Lovesick lake and a 60 footer is making time for the lock, kicking up a bow wave over 3 ft high. The canoe got tossed up, and when it did, the anchor was enough weight to have water come over the sides. Would have been better to pull the anchor up at the incoming wake and ride it out. Half filled with water and lesson learned.

[nbender81]

Thanks Skippy. I'm going to try one out. Ive got some good spots that are even better when the wind is up a bit and I'd like to hold the spot...I see Canadian Tire has a small one I might try it out. I always see and chat with this old scottish dude on the lake. He goes out in an old row boat and drops the anchor. He waits for the fish to come to him in key spots...he is successful.