Ganno
2/24/2011 5:20:00 PMThat is one nice fish even better is that he or she is sill swimming .Thanks for the report.
rwl
2/24/2011 6:35:00 PMI think the smaller browns at rock may school up. I'm still just learning about this lake, but trolling this winter, I have found spots that yielded bites pass after pass, sometimes with double hookups and one time a triple, most times those were smallish browns in the 12 inch range. I have the same experience of not getting more than a single a fish off of a given patch of shoreline. But, a couple times in the spring, there were a couple of little covelike spots that yielded 5 or more 12-14 inch browns in quick succession casting rapalas.
mav186
2/24/2011 6:36:00 PMVery nice results Hawk...I don't hear enough from Rock, just here and there. But your success and quality in the fish is awesome! Nice pic too.
rwl
2/24/2011 7:50:00 PMI think the smaller browns at rock may school up. I'm still just learning about this lake, but trolling this winter, I have found spots that yielded bites pass after pass, sometimes with double hookups and one time a triple, most times those were smallish browns in the 12 inch range. I have the same experience of not getting more than a single a fish off of a given patch of shoreline. But, a couple times in the spring, there were a couple of little covelike spots that yielded 5 or more 12-14 inch browns in quick succession casting rapalas.
raffensg64
2/24/2011 8:57:00 PMWow, nice fish Prohawk! Congrats and nice pic. Browns like that are few and far between, although I'm sure Rock has many that size. Must have one heck of a food source. I've seen lunker 25-27" browns like that in Clear and W. Medical, too. Both are very rich lakes.
ProHawk
2/25/2011 9:28:00 AMThanks for the comments all. If only that weather was back around!
And raffensg64, a friend of mine took home a brown similar to this once from this lake only to find two 10 inch stocker trout in it's stomach! The WDFW makes sure these big browns have an excellent food source!
And raffensg64, a friend of mine took home a brown similar to this once from this lake only to find two 10 inch stocker trout in it's stomach! The WDFW makes sure these big browns have an excellent food source!
Anglinarcher
2/25/2011 10:59:00 AMNice fish ProHawk, now you know why I use a rubber net, the stretch kind. It is much easier to untangle the fish and get it back in the water. I am looking into a Boga Grip, or something like it. I agree with your theory about solitary Browns, at least for the larger ones. I also agree with what several have said about the smaller browns being more school like. The larger rainbows also seem to exhibit the same behavior in this lake.
I don't necessarily agree about the rocks verses brush/willows (dogwood for the most part actually). Some days they seem to be on the rocks, some days on the brush, some days suspended over deep water.
It really depends on what they are feeding on. There are sucker minnows, crayfish, sculpins, bluegill, crappie, bass minnows, a few perch, a very few pikeminnow ( aka squawfish), and even small carp. After they plant the 6" browns and rainbows, there are even trout to eat. Don't forget the sometimes prolific insect hatches. Each of those "prey" items will be located in different locations, at different times, so on any given day the fish may be taking different food.
I also know of a few "super trolling runs" where you can hit fish pass after pass, but ............ I don't like trolling and probably won't do much of it until I get a kicker motor.
I don't necessarily agree about the rocks verses brush/willows (dogwood for the most part actually). Some days they seem to be on the rocks, some days on the brush, some days suspended over deep water.
It really depends on what they are feeding on. There are sucker minnows, crayfish, sculpins, bluegill, crappie, bass minnows, a few perch, a very few pikeminnow ( aka squawfish), and even small carp. After they plant the 6" browns and rainbows, there are even trout to eat. Don't forget the sometimes prolific insect hatches. Each of those "prey" items will be located in different locations, at different times, so on any given day the fish may be taking different food.
I also know of a few "super trolling runs" where you can hit fish pass after pass, but ............ I don't like trolling and probably won't do much of it until I get a kicker motor.
ProHawk
2/25/2011 1:22:00 PMAA, I was hoping I could 'lure' you into a comment or two. You've been quiet for a while and I can understand why!
And yes, you don't have to tell me about the net. I had a rubber net until it broke while using it as a push pole, doh! I purchased one of the new Frabill nets that stows inside its own handle as a replacement. This is great because it fits in my boat now but man, put a brown and some treble hooks in there and that fish starts rolling, what a mess. Got the fish out in about a minute, the lure took the next fifteen!
It's funny to hear you mention the dogwood; as a bass guy that brush looks awesome and I throw into it quite often. I just never seem to be there when they're there. Oh well. Keep having fun out there, and it's definitely not too big of a lure...
And yes, you don't have to tell me about the net. I had a rubber net until it broke while using it as a push pole, doh! I purchased one of the new Frabill nets that stows inside its own handle as a replacement. This is great because it fits in my boat now but man, put a brown and some treble hooks in there and that fish starts rolling, what a mess. Got the fish out in about a minute, the lure took the next fifteen!
It's funny to hear you mention the dogwood; as a bass guy that brush looks awesome and I throw into it quite often. I just never seem to be there when they're there. Oh well. Keep having fun out there, and it's definitely not too big of a lure...
bazzdude
2/26/2011 10:53:00 AMNice picture there. I am interested in ne of those rubber nets. I hate catching browns(like you said) and having then roll all over my trebil hooks. Very very flustrating expecially when the late evening falls and the bite is on and you are trying to get your stupid go to lure out of the net for 5 min. Best report i have seen in a while. I am a bass fisher man and like you said before the water temps warm up i too hit the shores at rock just as if i were bassin. But rock is too far for me to go for the bass when there are plenty of bass spots closer to home. Any how looking forward to your next report. Stay safe out there.
OLDRED1STMATE
3/5/2011 5:51:00 AMstop using treble hooks... replace them with GOOD quality singles it's so much better for the fish and fisherman!!