It’s that time of year again! The weather starts to cool, the sweaters come out, the leaves change colours, and the water temperature drops.  But don’t get upset because the salmon run is here!  The salmon have started making their ways up the rivers to spawn in Ontario.  The past few rain falls have really helped with raising the water levels.  The salmon are able to get up the rivers a lot easier.  There are many reports and pictures of anglers landing monster salmon! 

If you have never experienced a salmon run I suggest you get out and see what you’re missing. Even if you’re not into catching fish (which I can’t believe your not), go down to a river like the Credit and the Humber and witness nature at its best.  See how powerful and determined these beasts of nature are, as they make their way up to where they were born and lay their eggs for future generations.  It is really something to see, especially if you can see them jump over obstacles like dams. 

This fall don’t just sit home trying to stay warm and complain that summer has ended. Get out and see what all the fuss is about.  The salmon run is here, don’t wait too long as it only lasts for so long!  By mid to end of November the major run will be over. Don’t wait, get some bait and go fishing!

‘Till next time: May your hook sets be Massive and your fish be Monsters!

-Peter Natev

Ask just about any fisherman and they will tell you that the most exciting type of fishing is top water fishing.  It is a thrill to see a big ol’ fish just bust through the waters surface. What is even more exhilarating is seeing a hawg of a bass explode through a matt of vegetation. What’s the best type of lure to use in this type of situation? Yup, you guessed it, FROGS!  Plastic frogs can be thrown into the thickest of vegetation.  Frogs are best thrown using a 7-7’9 foot heavy bait caster with 40-65lbs. of braided line. The weedless nature of the frog makes it a hassle free lure for any skill level.

The two most popular types of frogs are floating frogs and soft plastic frogs.  Floating frogs are plastic frogs that do not sink.  The Spro Bronzeye frog is an example of a floating frog.  Their unsinkable nature makes them ideal for thick vegetation.  They are easy to cast and simple to use.  They can be retrieved in a number of ways, such as: stop and go, walk the dog, steady retrieve, or popping.

Soft plastic frogs are different then floating frogs because they sink.  The Zoom Horney Toad for example has a kinking motion that when retrieved is activated causes commotion in the water and sinks when it is not reeled in. The best ways to retrieve a soft plastic frog is to: burn it, steady retrieve on the surface, steady retrieves on the surface and occasionally pausing (this pause will allow the bait to sink and fall right in front of the fish under the cover).  Soft plastic frogs are best used in open water, lily pads, and sparse vegetation.

There are many different colours of frogs on the market. To simplify color selection, use natural colours like green, brown, white, or black.  These four colours can be used in any water clarity and anywhere in the country. When the bite gets tough don’t be afraid to change things up! Try a colour you had no intention of ever using.  Sometimes its decisions like this that can turn your day around and get you a limit.

If you have never used a frog lure in your life, then you are definitely missing out.  The next time your at your local tackle store don’t shy away from the frog isle and pick yourself up some frogs. I promise that you will not be disappointed when that monster fish crashes the surface and inhales your lure.

‘Till next time: May your hook sets be Massive and your fish be Monsters!

-Peter Natev

It has been a while since I have last written.  Even longer has been the last time I went out fishing or what it at least feels like. However, yesterday I got a chance to go out for the first time this year to do some ice fishing. We drilled holes at about the 100 foot depth range. Although the weather was good with no wind and a bright sun, the bite was slow.  I caught a few herring which were quickly released since they were not in season. I also raised a giant whitefish to the hole.  However, the whitefish straightened my hook and shook off.  A couple of my buddies landed lake trout that were good eater size.  A few of my other buddies also got some herring and a whitefish.  We were all pretty much fishing the same way that has worked in previous outings. Basically, two techniques were used:  the first was drop shotting live minnows and the second was ripping spoons. Drop shotting worked much better then the spoons did.  Although we did not catch as many fish as we all would have liked, I know for sure we can’t wait to get back out there for some redemption.

 ‘Till next time: May your hook sets be Massive and your fish be Monsters!-Peter Natev

The past month has been quite busy for me in terms of fishing. I have been lucky enough to go out at least once every week in August.   It may sound like I am complaining but its far from it.  I appreciate any time on the water and enjoy it to the fullest.  Every outing offers an opportunity for something great to be descovered.  Like a new spot, technique or pattern that you may not have thought twice about in the past.   Early August I took part in the associate fishing tournament with my uncle.   He and I did  fairly well placing 6th spot overall. We weighed in at 12.24lbs. for 4 fish.  I had the 5th fish on but my drag system messed up on my reel casuing the fish to get loose.  What a heart breaker!!  I have to say that I did have a great time and at this moment would like to give special thanks to my Uncle!   

I aslo took part in the Largemouth Bass North BOUNTY FISHING tournament.   This was my first ever Bounty tournament I have to say that I was very excited to take part in it.  I ended up finishing 6th in this tournament as well.  My fish weighed in at 19inches.  This fish came off a 5/8 jig by punching heavy matted vegetation.  These largies were right in the middle of it all just relaxing under all the shade and cover.

I also took part in the carp BOUNTY FISHING tournament.  In this tournament I came in 10th spot with a fish of 26.25inches. This is a very small carp.  However, it was all I could muster up from a local spot that in the past has proven to hold big carp. 

Fishing a pond can be both fun and productive. Ponds usually do not get the pressure that main lakes and rivers see. Therefore, they can offer anyone a good chance to catch a fish. When the fish are biting you can pretty much throw anything at them and have a good shot at catching a nice bass. But what do you use when the fishing gets tough? Well I’m going to tell you the 5 lures that every pond angler should have in order to up their chances in tricking a fish into biting.

The first lure that should be in everyone’s tackle box is a top water lure of some sort. More specifically, you should have a popper lure. These lures offer great excitement and fun when the fish are attacking the lure. These lures are ideal for early mornings or later evenings. Both Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass can not resist these lures on the pond.

The second lure that I suggest which should be in your tackle box is a stick worm. Stick worms like the Senko offer a slow presentation when fished weightless. Big bass can not resist the quivering action as it slowly falls to the bottom of the pond. The Senko is a great lure to be fished at any time of the day.

The third lure that I recommend that you have for pond fishing is a small crankbait. These lures offer a great advantage for the angler to reach the deep depths of the pond. When the fish are down deep throw a crankbait out and reel it in so it’s making contact with the bottom. This gets the attention of the fish in those dog days of summer.

The forth lure that every pond angler should have is a finesse minnow. A finesse minnow, that is about 3-4 inches in length like the Berkley Gulp Alive minnow, is a great choice. They look real and act real when fished on a drop shot rig. When those fish are locked jawed this lure is your best bet at catching a bass.

The final lure that ought to be in your box is a frog of some sort. Fished over matted vegetation can create some of the biggest explosions you will ever see. Giant pond bass cannot resist “Kermit” hopping along the weeds.

I listed a wide range of lures that should put more fish at the end of your line. These lures offer anglers the ability to catch when fishing gets tough. Remember, the key is to be different then the other anglers. The next time you fish at your favorite pond give these lures a try.

‘Till next time: May your hook sets be Massive and your fish be Monsters!

-Peter Natev

             The past weekend my brother and I went fishing for some pike, at Canal Lake, which is located in the Kawartha region of Ontario, Canada.  We fished from shore casting a variety of baits to see what the fish wanted.   A little tip for fishing from shore is using a lure that can be thrown a long distance.  A lure that can cast further gives you a better advantage because it always you to cover more water. 

            Spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits was our lure of choice.  Fishing was a little slow because of the funny weather we have been having with an inconsistency of warmth, which is needed to really get those fish in a feeding frenzy.   Lipless crankbaits worked the best and produced numbers of fish but no lunkers were caught.  The way we worked the bait was casting it out as far as we can and reeling the lure in at a steady retrieve just over submerged weeds.  We used 7’MH crankbait casting rods and 7.0:1 burner reels.  Our reels were spooled up with 14lbs fluorocarbon line.   Another tip that I would suggest is use a fluorocarbon line conditioner I can’t stress enough how much it helps with reducing bird nests and the prevention of line coiling.

            All though we did not catch any fish to be bragging about we still had a fun day out on the water.  Any day of fishing beats any day at home.   Not catching “Big Bertha” is only motivation to go out fishing again.

‘Till next time: May your hook sets be Massive and your fish be Monsters!

“You Have Too Many Lures…”

“You have too many lures, you don’t need any more!” Is a phrase that I hear from my family and my friends when they find out I purchased new fishing lures. But are they right to say that I do in fact have too many lures? To be honest, they are partially right because line, hook, and worm would do just fine. After all, it is the most trust worthy bait ever used.

However, fishing for me is more then just sitting and waiting with a worm under a bobber for a fish to bite. I enjoy pitching a jig, ripping a jerkbait, and skipping a finesse worm under a dock. Lures offer more opportunities to catch fish. They are designed to imitate the real thing and to be used as a tool to hunt for those fish. The key word in the previous sentence is hunt. Lures allow you to go out and find the fish. Whereas, when using live bait you are sitting and waiting for the fish too bite.

I’m a collector and I enjoy seeing my tackle trays being filled with various types of lures. And it is only fitting that I do fall victim to the latest bass fishing trends. More notably, the swimbait trend. These giant lures with the most realistic paint finishes are a different lure then from prior years. Who knows maybe the next lure you by may be worth a pretty penny in the future.

Yet, the main reason as to why I purchase lures comes bake to fishing and catching more fish. I want to be prepared for any situation that nature throws at me. Whether it’s a lake that is clear or dirty or even filled with weeds I want to have lures that will best be fit for each situation. The key is being able to use the right lure in the right situation. You can’t use a hammer to screw in a 4 inch screw. It is important to have the right tools for the job.

The bottom line is that I buy so many lures because I realize that there is no one lure that can catch fish and be used all the time. Different situations call for different lures. This is a hard concept for the weekend angler to grasp. However, once an individual embraces the sport they too, like a bass, will fall victim to a new lure.

‘Till next time: May your hook sets be Massive and your fish be Monsters!

Peter Natev

02/12/08… When it comes to choosing the right rod, nowadays it may be harder and more frustrating than ever. After all, any rod could technically do the job. However, there is more to it than just going to the store and picking up any rod. Each style of rod plays a critical role. Fishing rods can be best compared to golf clubs. One can use a putter only for each hole, however that individuals score will not be his best. That being said, it is important to discuss about the two styles of fishing rods (spinning and baitcasting), the different powers in rods, and what rod is best for what lure.

Spinning Rods are what many fisherman are aware of and most likely started of with when they were first introduced to this sport. Spinning rods are great for light line and finesse tactics. Line from 6-14lbs. is generally used when it comes to bass fishing. Lighter line is best used in open water situations where the water is clear and when the bass are finicky. Baitcasting Rods are commonly used on the pro curcuit where power fishing applications are applied. Baitcasters are great for hauling out those big brutes out of heavy cover. Heavy line can be used such as 40-65lbs braid. Baitcasters are also great for getting pint-point accuracy in ones cast. Although, baitcasters do take a while to get used to, once mastered it it sure is a joy to use.

Medium power rods are great when a lure requires a lot of give in the rod. When looking for a spinning rod medium action is pretty much the norm. Not much back bone, thus not very powerful hook sets. Medium-Heavy rods are used for when an angler wants a little more back bone and a softer tip. These rods are used for casting long distances, yet still has the capacity to set the hook when the lure is far out. Heavy powered rods are great for pin-point accuracy when it comes to baitcasting. These rods are pretty much all back bone to turn that big basses head away from the cover her calls home.

Here are some examples of lures and which rods they should be set up with: Jig=Heavy powered baitcasting (needs the backbone for a good hookset). Frog= Medium-heavy to a heavy baitcaster ( need to be able to pull the fish out of the slop and pads) . Jerkbait= Medium spinning (needs light line for clear situationto get most action out of the lure). Texas rigged worm= Medium-Heavy baitcaster (can cast the light worm a good distance). Crankbait= Medium baitcaster (to help absorb the hit of the fish, which will prevent from ripping the hooks out of the fishes mouth).

I hope the information I provide has given you the incite and made you more aware as to what rod will be best for you on the water. When you have the right tools, it can make all the difference in the world. Remember that the more information you have when it comes to choosing the right rod the better choice you will make.

‘Till next time: May your fish be Monsters and your hook sets be Massive!

Peter Natev