Kim City - Jan 14 - Damiki rig

[Dock-in-it]

Fished this morning and the deep bite was about as good as it gets. Went to my first spot and scouted for 5 minutes and then went to my next spot. When I arrived about 7:20 the fish activity was unreal. About 15 big fish busted the surface over a 10 minute span and my graph was covered with vertical activity. I did not catch a single surface fish and after several cast I decided to stick with the vertical bite. The fish would fight over the Damiki rig and mostly ignore an ice jig and grub. From 7:30 to 8:00 the catching was almost every drop. The shad were 100% scattered (nothing schooled up) and I kept the boat in 35 to 55 FOW. Then about 8:30 the ice jig started to work well. Then about 9:00 there was an empty graph and the party was over. 

Caught all three species and the K's accounted for 90%. 

I threw a jerkbait, grub,  and underspin at the surface activity and was very surprised I did not catch a single surface fish.

I thought the grub would work so I started with it and they ignored it, then picked up the Damiki and if you missed one another would bite it.

WT 50-51

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[Alex Heitman]

Great report as always. Walking the dog top water might have got those chasers 

[Dock-in-it]

Hey Alex, thanks for the tip. I had topwater with me and should have tried it. I can normally catch about 30% of the winter time surface chasers with an underspin or swimbait, so I was dumbfounded with no takers. Next time they will see topwater on the menu. 

Looking forward to one of your cold water crankbait/jerkbait reports.

[dtrs5kprs]

10 hours ago, Alex Heitman said:

Great report as always. Walking the dog top water might have got those chasers 

Or a jig spoon. Skip it and flutter it.

[Quillback]

Wednesday when they were really biting good, I had 4 or 5 bites on the Ned where they picked it up after it had dropped 3 or 4 feet.  I would not hesitate to try it on fish that are coming up on top, cast it at them, let it fall a few feet, then pop it and let it fall again.  Cut in half Zinker of course.

[bobby b.]

Dock,

Another excellent report.

What is the line you are using? Nanofil?  I was recently introduced to it and like it.  I use a fluro leader.

Thanks

Bobby

[Dock-in-it]

Bobby, the line on the 3/8 oz Damiki rig was 8# BPS Excel  mono green. Normally I would use 6# green mono on a vertical winter time spinning rod for plastics. I had the grub tied on the rod with 6# line. Your choice of line is probably better for detecting strikes,,,etc.

I use 12# or 14# fluoro on the ice jig and spoon. I also use 15# mono big game for summer time spooning.

[Champ188]

19 hours ago, Dock-in-it said:

Bobby, the line on the 3/8 oz Damiki rig was 8# BPS Excel  mono green. Normally I would use 6# green mono on a vertical winter time spinning rod for plastics. I had the grub tied on the rod with 6# line. Your choice of line is probably better for detecting strikes,,,etc.

I use 12# or 14# fluoro on the ice jig and spoon. I also use 15# mono big game for summer time spooning.

Hey Dock, for a guy (ME) who bashes Johnny as much as I do, I just can't find a light mono line that outperforms that BPS Excel. I use their 6-pound a LOT of spinning rod applications and love that stuff. And when I'm not in the mood to drag it behind the boat (without a lure) to remove the twists, it's cheap enough to just strip it off and respool, sometimes right there in the boat.

Thanks for a great report and congrats on getting in on the fast action. I admire your skills. 

[Fishrman]

I have pretty much strictly went yozuri line all flouro, only mono I use is excel 8# green for jerkbait fishing.  Has held up really well.   Been cranking lately with 14# yozuri as it has 12# diameter.  It has performed very well in my opinion.   

[Bill Babler]

BPS Excel works great in line sizes 4 and 6. If you get above that, and I have discussed this with several of the guys totally sponsored by BP for some reason, it just does not work well. 

I keep on and keep on trying but 8 thru 12 continues to let me down. Either breaks at the knot, chafes and splinters turns off color or just wants to grab it self. 

None of these guys have the answer, and really don't use it. 

I have had nothing but Sterling success with the 4 and 6 for trout. 

I will tell you 5lb. Maxi is softer and stronger than 6lb. Excel and will throw further. I use it exclusively when swimming a small Keitech or fishing a Ned. 

Down side of that is it cost 3X the price of the Excel and is super hard to get. 

Excel in 4 to 6 is always available in bulk and I go thru a ton of it on my trout outfits. Maxi would just be to pricey for the trout when I use so much of it and the Excel works great.