Went out this morning for my 2025, Inaugural boat run.

Damn lots of fun at the dock. Dead battery. Then a coroded wiring plug terminal. Then had to swap out the GPS communication/Ulterra harness as I had the harness I use in my kayak. Just love those first trips.

Then I was just heading out of the Waub Harbour and low and behold I spot none other than Mr. DB in the flesh. We jawed for a while and then decided to do some fishing. Great to see you out there Dale. You have overcome a lot this year.

Headed out into the bay and decided to target some pike…… wanted a nice tender 2 to 3 pounder for breakfast. Well I caught three of those and released two and kept one.

After that boom like a ton of bricks something hammers my bait. Its taking line and staying down. Thinking big pike. Nope it was a good sized bucketmouth just under 5 lbs. a quick pock to share with all of you and back in the water.

Toss in again and boom another monster hit. Great fight and again staying down…. Pulled the snout up and its a even bigger girl…. Another bucket running just over 5 lbs.

Check out right behind the main dorsal fin and you will see a very small lamprey attached. I peeled it off then released her.

I never catch buckets…. Usually lots of smallies…..another pic and quick release…. Looks like it’s going to be a great bucket year.

Under 5

Over 5…..Also this one if you look at the dorsal fin you will see a very small lamprey eel. I peeled it off before I released her.

Some nice fish there, glad you saved it from the lamprey.

Catching fish, keeping fish, releasing fish and saving fish. You did it all out there. Some nice fish caught, and pictures. All that's left to do is eat your fish. Nice post Arnie, hope all your stuff is in good working order the rest of the season.

Nice fish.First trip is always interesting. Some beautiful fish!

Thx everyone for your comments.

Yes Jamie everything is green light now. Only the weather is not co-operating this morning…. I started out but too much North wind blew me back into the harbour. I called it a day today without wetting a line. Might get out after our park horseshoe tournament today. Time to tie some lines.

The pike I kept for brecchy got filleted and eaten within an hour of him entering my boat. Cooked on a outdoor grill with toast and butter.

Arnie

Mmmmmmmm…. outdoor grill with toast and butter
What time should I be there for breakfast tomorrow ?

Everyone is always welcome here Drew. Only tomorrow if weather permits will be fishing only for a couple of hours . Then clean fish….have some Breakfast and pack up for the trip home. If you are ever down this way just drop in to the park and ask for Arnie.

Nice seeing you out there Arnie,glad you caught your breakfast. Damn wind and cold,I took today off as well,the heck with that!

Its hard to beat fresh spring pike! Nicely done.

Curious about the lamprey. Sea Lamprey are typically a deep water fish - targeting salmonids. We do have a couple of native lamprey species here in Ontario. It would be really interesting to know what that species was. I've never caught a shallow water game fish with a lamprey, or signs of one (lots of salmon and trout over the years).

I had the same experience as you....seen them on deep fish but never shallow. I found it very strange. I probably should have taken some better pictures.

Arnie

Great report Longfish. I'll be in the Port Severn area this weekend and will be fishing it for the first time. Any tips on where or what type of structure to look for if I'm targeting pike? Green Island looks interesting

Was out that way the the other day. Nothing, water really low, came back to VH. 4 small hammers, I really think this area is fished out over the years. And I lived in VH for years

email sent

Arnie