Kensico 11-12-11

[shawnhu]

Went out today, despite the strong winds and white caps at Kensico.  The intent was to target crappie and trout, but that wasn't going to happen today.

We set out with 8 medium shiners that we kept alive for a week.  Trolled across the lake, no bites.  I then set up a float about 3' above the shiner and trolled that around for a while.  Not a bite.  I reel in the 1/2 oz egg sinker rig I was using to troll trout, and felt a quick tug.  I thought it was probably just a weed, and kept reeling.  As I saw the egg sinker, then the shiner, then.... a fish following it!  I slow it down, and watch the strike!  BAM!  I set the hook, and it's pulling hard!  Down it goes, I get it back up.  Down it goes again, and I bring it up once again.  It came up fast, and jumps!  Head shakes, and we watch the hook, line and sinker fly off and was in awe to see the fish swim safely away.  Poor control of the fish and a size 6 hook was probably the cause.  He was a good 15"+.  Oh well!  Then I see the shiner that came off the hook swimming by.  I wished him well and we parted.
 
On wards we go!  The wind was blowing, and I was messing with the other rod, when I noticed once again, I couldn't find my float.  I figured it was buried by the waves and sunshine.  I said out load, "hey, where's the float?"  I heard a reply, "uhh, I don't know."  That's when I knew to pick up the rod and reel it in.  As I picked up the rod, I felt a slight tap, and said, "there's a fish!"

This was on a Shakespear Mantis 6' Medium action rod, with 4 lb mono, 8 lb floro leader and size 6 Gamakatsu Octopus hook.  I reel it in, and feel the pressure of the fish.  I set the hook, but knowing that it's only a 4lb test line, I set the drag on the lower side.  The fish didn't feel big, so I thought I finally got a crappie!  But as the fish came to the surface, after a slight glimpse of the fish, it runs hard straight down!  My drag starts running and I'm just holding on until it stops!  I bring the fish up again, and it's a big SMB!  It dives again and again, I bring it up.  Did this a few times, each time I try to lip it, it makes a run for it, and back to battle stations!  Finally, I lip it, and bring it in the boat. 

There were also a few other fish caught on cranks, and spinners.  Here's a couple of pics.

[VinnyH]

Shawn,
Nice, I'm jealous (and slightly hungry now). 

Might have to compile some recipes from you and the guys.

Best Always,
Vinny

[lionpshark]

Shawn that looks very tasty well done!

[Tom]

Shawn,
Nice fishing. Glad you got a chance to go out. The wind predictions are often wrong and most early mornings you are OK. Today, for instance, Kensico had calm conditions until late morning. This was NOT predicted and resulted in good fishing for anyone out on Kensico.
Tom

[KenH]

Well done Shawn! I have to admire you for having the guts to go out in that wind. And...that has to be the tastiest looking SMB dish I've ever seen!
 

[shawnhu]

Thanks guys!  I don't get much of a chance to go out that often, so I have to milk it while I can.  I was out there again today, but didn't catch as much as yesterday.  We went exploring down to the bridge, but nothing happening there.  I have yet to catch my first trout, which is quite disappointing.

Ken - That's actually a LMB, the only one caught yesterday,  The other 3 were Smallies.

Tom - Heard you caught some trout!  I'm so envious!

Manny - Thanks buddy, inspired by your perch pics!

Vinny - When I get my own place, you're welcome over for dinner anytime

[lionpshark]

Your Trout will come just keep trying!

[Coldstorage5]

Dude thats awesome. And that you eat the entire fis. It looked like a restaurant.

[KenH]

"Ken - That's actually a LMB, the only one caught yesterday,  The other 3 were Smallies."

LOL Darn you're right now that I look at the mouth.
Have you tried both LMB and SMB? Do you have a taste
preference?

[shawnhu]

Yup, I've tried both now, thanks to Kensico!

I find that the SMB is a flakier, dryer type of meat vs the LMB.  The meat is very defined, and breaks off in chunks more readily than LMB.  It's got a firm texture to it, more so than LMB.  As far as taste goes, I actually prefer the LMB, as I think it has a little more "fat" to it and tastes sweeter.

This applies to the larger fish caught at Kensico, about 3lbs.  I have yet to try a smaller SMB from Kensico.  I'll let you know the findings!

[KenH]

Thanks Shawn. Personally I find SMB to be tastier than LMB, the SMB having
a tighter musculature than LMB, but you're right it flakes easier than LMB.
Each has their drawbacks; LMB in warm months can have an algae smell to the skin, while SMB in Kensico often suffer from black spot, a harmless condition but unaesthetic.

Did you go ot of Area 10? If so your furry friend would be our resident Kensico Area 10 mascot- a likely two year old doe that probably lost its mother early and developed a strange habit of approaching humans. Shes been around since I think late Spring/early Summer. Sometimes I can see her on shore when I am on the water.
Often I get greeted at the car and she follows me until I launch the boat.

[shawnhu]

Ken, that would be her!  She's unusually friendly to humans and it's my first time seeing her up close.  There was another 2 that I spotted across the lake, but they ran with the sound of my lure splashing nearby. 

[elsewhere]

A soft spot in me wishes that deer well and hopes it don't get run over or killed because of its friendliness.  Up in Ontario, there are a number of places where the deer have gotten use to humans and people hand feed them apples.  Pretty interesting eh?