A Piotr Pike

A nice early season musky caught by my buddy Tom at Lake Scugog

Now be aware that there are some draw backs to fishing larger baits and lures, and they may not always be effective, but once you hook into a monster pike, musky, or even a big largemouth bass or walleye you will be hooked, pardon the pun, on fishing with larger baits. I have been reading and watching a lot of fishing shows and magazines which all stress the benefits of using these larger baits so I decided to try it out with wonderful results.

Baits and lures come in all shapes, sizes, and colours and of course the trick is to find the right bait for the right fish at the right time. This is what separates tournament winners from tournament losers and what can make for an exciting day of fishing for you or can make you come home without even pulling in one fish. This is why I stress that big baits do have some drawbacks but the benefits definitely outweigh these drawbacks.

So what big baits and lures am I talking about? There are of course a variety of them out there, from crank baits, spinner baits, swim baits, big spoons, big worms, and these are all targeted for catching those larger fish. When you go to your local fishing shop you will inevitably come across some of these large baits and wonder, is this a joke? Do fish really go after baits this big? The answer is of course, yes. They wouldn’t be making these baits if they were ineffective. If you are serious about fishing and have decided that this is a sport you can really get into I suggest buying one or two of these large baits and trying them out. For a first timer I would really suggest getting a large musky style bait such as a buck tail and a large crank bait. As you will see in the photos below.

Mepps - Bucktail Giant Killer

This lure is a Giant Killer Bucktail and is produced by Mepps. Mepps creates a lot of these styles of lures specifically for pike and musky anglers. These are proven baits and have been on the market for many years now. Many anglers swear by these. The one in this picture is one of the more traditional style baits you can use to target these large predatory fish. The best way to fish them is trolling them around the edges of weeds. You can cast these baits as well if you are shore fishing but ideally you use them when trolling. The red hairs, or the bucktail as it is referred to, gives the bait more body so a passing pike or musky thinks it is a larger bait fish. The red in this tail also increases your chances of a bite. Many studies have been done by pro anglers and they swear by the fact that red hooks or baits with a trail of red in them attract more fish. Also on this bait is a spinner. When trolling or retrieving this bait the spinner creates flash and vibrations through the water making it more noticeable to fish and more attractive. I have caught numerous pike on these baits and I too have been sold on them.

Storm - Giant Thunderstick

This large bait is a Thunderstick and is produced by Storm. This is just like any other crank bait/ stick bait but is just simply larger in size. With its rattles inside and side to side wobble in the water, this bait imitates an attractive meal to a large predatory fish. You can fish it just like the Mepps Giant Killer Bucktail. 

Giant Thunderstick comparison

Here is a comparison of the Giant Thunderstick to a regular 4 inch Thunderstick, and a regular crank bait. You can see the difference in size and what I mean when I talk about big lures.

Large Williams spoon

Large spoons such as this Williams spoon are also quite effective. Spoons are almost exclusively used when trolling. This particular spoon has a high reflective silver coating as well as a reflective red stripe on it. A spoon will wobble sporadically giving the impression that it is an injured fish, an easy meal for a pike or musky.

As I mentioned big baits are effective at catching big fish but they can be tricky at times. Ideally you want to troll these baits right beside weed beds, along channels in lakes, or through larger deep opened areas of a lake. If you start your troll and go through some heavy cover you will be do nothing but pulling weeds off of your bait all day long. If possible, use a fish finder or even visually inspect what type of water you are fishing. If it is extremely weedy then you want a shallow diving large bait such as the Thunderstick or a swim bait. If you are getting into deeper waters and need some more reflectivity to attract fish, something like the Mepps or Williams baits are perfect. These baits create a lot of turbulence through the water and reflect sunlight all over the place making the fish think that there is an easy meal right under its nose.

A key tip to fishing large baits is to only use them in the middle of summer right through to the fall. The reason being is that during the early season big pike and big musky do not have the larger food sources like they do later on in the year. Spring time is when most fish species lay their eggs and when most fish hatch so the food sources are smaller but plentiful. This does not mean that you won’t necessarily land a big fish using a big bait in spring, but you will have to slow down your presentation, troll at a lower speed, and you may wish to use a slightly smaller bait. Fall is the best time for big baits. The fish know the season is changing. They need to eat before the winter sets in and their food sources have had the summer to fatten up.  Ask any angler and they will tell you that the fall is the best time for monster pike and musky with big baits.

Do yourself a favour and next time you are at your local tackle shop don’t be intimidated by the larger baits. Grab a few of them and see if you can hook into a monster.

“SCROLL OVER THE IMAGES ON THE MAP FOR TIPS AND LOCATIONS TO FISH”

Weeds, weeds, and more weeds! This lake harbours some monster largemouth bass, walleye, and even musky. With it only being an hour drive outside of Toronto this is a favourite hot bed of activity with many shore anglers as well as many boaters. The island in the middle of the lake offers a ton of opportunity for shore fishing and you will always find a spot to cast out no matter how packed it can get. The great thing about shore fishing here is that you really can feel as if you were out in a boat as you can pull in some decent fish just of the banks or around the bridges.

As this lake is covered in weeds it is best to fish it in early spring or in late fall when the cover dies down a bit, but don’t be deterred by this, there is still ample opportunity during the dog days of summer. It may be very weedy but all anglers know that weeds are like the kitchen in your house. They offer cover for many bait fish, crawfish, and insects which the big boys chase after. If you plan on fishing this lake in the middle of summer be sure to find a pocket amongst the weeds and fish it slow with either a spinner bait of a Texas rigged worm. By doing this you put the bait right in the strike zone of the fish and you can expect to land a few monsters here.

Sure largemouth bass and walleye can be caught here but if you’re lucky, patient, and fish here often, you just may land the monster musky you’re looking for. Try following the trolling lines outlined in the map and be sure to fish in and around the two bridges. The deeper waters around these bridges offer a lot of room for big game fish.

For a lake that is so close to Toronto there is no excuse not to get out there and try your luck at catching some monsters.

Fast Facts:

Length: 12km

Width: At its widest 3.5km

Temperature: Can go as high as 25°C in the middle of summer

Depth: A very shallow lake with most areas only 1.5 metres deep

Close Towns: Bolsover and Kirkfield

Amenities: Around the locks you will find washrooms. Along highway 48 there are a few burger joints for a quick snack.

“MAKE SURE YOU ZOOM IN TO HAVE A MORE DETAILED VIEW OF THESE URBAN FISHING SPOTS AND CLICK ON THE ICONS TO GET A DESCRIPTION”

Fishing is something you can do almost anywhere, as long as there is a body of water. As you can see by the map here I have listed 18 places that you can go out and fish at. They are all minutes away from any spot in Toronto and can offer you a great place to spend the day or just to get out for an evening after work. Many of the spots are located in parks where you can bring your family and friends, and have a picnic or just make a day out of it. These are some of the places that I have explored in the past, have seen on tv, or have researched through the Ministry of Natural Resources.

These places are perfect for the first time angler or for kids. They are so close by to almost anywhere in Toronto and you can take a quick drive, public transit, bike, or walk to most of them. I really suggest getting out to one of these areas after a stressful day at work, you will find that all your problems seem to go away and you can clear your head while fishing.

If you know of a good place to do some shore fishing around the Toronto area and would like to share it with me feel free to drop me a line at: fishingwithpiotr@gmail.com

 Take a quick glance at the places I have mapped here, you may recognize a fishing hole right in your own backyard that you never knew was there:

1. Rouge River Marsh

2. Frenchman’s Bay

3. Petticoat Creek

4. Bluffers Park

5. Ashbridge’s Bay

6. Tommy Thompson Park

7. Toronto Islands

8. Humber bay Park

9. Grenadier Pond

10. The Humber River

11. Colonel Samuel Smith Park

12. Norton Place Park

13. Professors lake

14. Milne Park

15. Stouffville Reservoir

16. Mountjoy Pond Park

17. G. Ross Lord Park

18. Wilcox Lake

Two Boat Launches:

1. Frenchman’s Bay

2. Bluffers Park

Sport Fishing License: The basic difference between the sport and the conservation license is in the amount of fish you can keep. As I mentioned in previous articles I am more of a catch and release angler, but will keep the occasional fish for a shore lunch. If you plan on eating a lot of the fish you catch then the sport license is for you. The amount of fish you can keep on this license differs based on what region of Ontario you are fishing. Be sure to check the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) website to see what you can keep, how many you can keep, and at what times during the year you can fish for a specific species. The Sport Fishing License is available in three basic ways:

1. You can purchase the Outdoors Cars with a three year Sport Fishing License tag

2. You can purchase the Outdoors Cars with a one year Sport Fishing License tag

3. If you have an Outdoors Card, that is not expired, you can simply get a Sport Fishing License tag for that year

The Outdoors Card is just a general card that is used for both fishing and hunting licenses, hence its generic name. This way the MNR saves on costs for producing the cards. On the back of the card are divided rows where upon purchase of your tag (the license for the year) the salesman/woman will put a sticker in one of these rows, or if you purchase a brand new outdoors card you will be mailed it and will have an imprinted tag on the back. If you purchase a brand new Outdoors Card it is usually valid for three years and all you have to do is get a new tag each year. You can get these renewal stickers at most Canadian Tires, Bass Pro Shops, online at the MNR site, and at many of the smaller bait and tackle shops.

The prices for the three basic Sport Fishing Licences differ and change from year to year so check the MNR site for details. License are not too expensive and are a small price to pay just in case an officer from the MNR checks to see if you have one. If you are caught without a license the fines can be quite large, they can even keep your car or boat until you pay the fine which can go as high as $5000. So be sure to get a license and play it smart.

The Outdoors Card is issued provincially so be sure to get the proper license for where you plan on doing most of your fishing.

Conservation License: As I mentioned the only real difference between the Conservation and the Sport Licenses is in the amount of fish you can keep. Again, check the MNR site for regulations on this. Just like the Sport License, the Conservation license is available in the exact same way but is a little cheaper. The three ways are:

1. You can purchase the Outdoors Cars with a three year Conservation Fishing License tag

2. You can purchase the Outdoors Cars with a one year Conservation Fishing License tag

3. If you have an Outdoors Card, that is not expired, you can simply get a Conservation Fishing License tag for that year

If you are not an avid angler then you can even purchase a license just for one day. The price also varies from year to year but it may be a good idea if you are thinking about getting into fishing or can only get out one day a year.

If you have guests from out of the country and plan on taking them around Ontario to see the beautiful sites here and to show them some of the best fishing in the world, then they too need a licence. These are temporary licences and can be good for up to a week. You can purchase these from anywhere where you can get your license tags or Outdoors Card.

The Outdoors Card does not require any special id and can be easily purchased. All you have to do is give your name, address (so they can send it to you), your height in centimetres, and your eye colour.

BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR LICENSE ON YOU AT ALL TIMES WHILE YOU ARE FISHING!!!!!!!

Even if you are fishing at the end of your dock at your own cottage and have the license inside the cottage then an officer from the MNR can give you fine for not having the license on your person. If you just purchased your license and have not been mailed you official card, then you must make sure that you have the piece of paper proving that you have purchased your card. This must be on you at all times as well.

If you’re heading out for a day of fishing be smart and get your license. The officers may check your license only once in your lifetime, but this will save you a ton of hassles and a ton of money in fines.

Outdoor Card

Classic Trolling

Classic Trolling: Side view

 The other method of trolling is to use a trolling motor. Now this method is not “really” considered trolling but it also allows you to cover a lot of water and get into some tight places where fish may be hiding. A trolling motor is an electric motor that attaches either to the bow of your boat or the stern. You will see many professional bass anglers using their trolling motors once they find a place where the fish are biting. By using the trolling motor you can pull up your main engine so that it does not get snagged or damaged on anything and then you can simply manoeuvre your boat in and out of weed pockets or shallow areas, the places where the monsters like to hide. When using a trolling motor you will usually be casting your bait and retrieving it making it a quite different method from the traditional trolling method described previously. The electric trolling motor is also whisper quiet which does not spook the fish and allows you to creep in on them as if you were stalking your prey.

For the traditional trolling methods you can use a trolling plate or even a drift sock on your boat to slow down the speed at which you are travelling. When your main engine is on, even if you are going at a slow speed, your propeller will still create a tunnel of water behind your boat. By using a trolling plate you disperse this “noise” from your propeller and help maintain a calm water zone behind your boat which in turn will not spook the fish. Secondarily the trolling plate allows you to slow your boat down even more so that you can slow the presentation of your bait if the fish are proving to be a bit sluggish. A trolling plate simply attaches in and around your propeller and can be lowered quite easily when you desire to do some trolling or can be easily raised when you wish to get under way. They come in a variety of sizes and materials but it is best to get the largest trolling plate you can afford and one that is made out of metal, not plastic, as the plastic ones have been known to easily break off.

A drift sock can also be used when trolling but it is not as effective as trolling under the power of your main engine. A drift sock is quite simply a large cone shaped device with a hole at the thin end to allow water to pass through. A drift sock is lowered into the water and adds more friction while you are getting pushed around the lake by the wind. This too will allow you to slow down your bait or will allow you to spend more time over certain structure, such as a sunken island or drop off, where the fish will be hanging out.

As mentioned you can troll a large bait behind your boat in order to entice to big boys to bite. Traditionally when trolling you will use a large crank bait that can be either deep diving or shallow diving depending on the depth of the water column that you are fishing and the fish you are targeting or a large spinner bait such as a Musky Killer. You can also use a swim bait or even a spoon when targeting the large fish you can catch when trolling. You would never use a worm and bobber when trolling and jigging is also a bad idea. You can easily get snagged up if you were to troll with any of these methods and it wouldn’t prove to be a very effective way of catching monsters. I will go in greater depth about trolling methods and baits to use in later articles but for now this is just to give you an idea of what trolling is all about and what to use.

Check out some of the maps I have posted and target some of the trolling lines I have outlined. Try your hand at some trolling and don’t forget to get some large baits to target the large varieties of fish you can catch using this method.

Characteristics: Catfish are part of a much larger group (order) of fish. There are many varieties of them throughout the world, but the one that is most commonly found in Southern Ontario is the Brown Bullhead. Their bodies are a brownish yellow colour. The top of a catfish is usually a dark brown and then it lightens to a yellow colour on the side of their body which leads to their white belly. These guys get their name from the barbells that poke out by their mouths making them look as if they have whiskers. They can range in size from just a few inches, if they are young, up to 20-35cm when fully grown. Once it is more mature it can weigh in at anywhere from 1 to 2 pounds.

How to handle: Catfish are a tricky fish to handle. Be very careful of their barbells as these things can easily prick your finger and give you a nice gash. I have experienced this too many times. If you are in an area where you know you are going to be catching catfish make sure you are quick on setting you hook, as these guys will usually inhale a worm, along with you your hook making it difficult to get them off and back in the water. Once you get them on shore you can grab them around their body so that they don’t squirm around too much. Once you have them firmly in your hand grab some pliers to get the hook out. Sometimes you can get the hook out by simply popping it out with your hands, but these guys can have tough mouths so it is better to get a firm grip on your hook with a pair of pliers. These guys don’t have teeth so you need not worry about getting your fingers in their mouths.

Where to find them: These guys are abundant in many of the swampy areas in Southern Ontario. They love warm shallow water where there is a muddy or sandy bottom. Catfish are bottom feeders so they will scoop up mud or sand in their mouths and filter out any vegetation or other food that might be found. They are generally regarded as herbivores, but truth be told they will eat just about anything. Stagnant or very slow moving water is where these guys like to live.

How to catch them: As I mentioned these guys are bottom feeders so the best way to catch them is to set a hook and bobber combo in a way so that the hook goes to the bottom of the lake or pond. They will cruise around and when they come across your worm, bread ball, or even corn, they will gobble it up. Pound for pound catfish are some of the best fighting fish. When you get one on your line it will feel as if it is a much larger fish and will give you a run for your money. Personally I love the fight they put up but I absolutely hate handling them, but don’t let that put you off, get out there and catch some of these underwater cats.

Catfish (Brown Bullhead)

Characteristics: Perch can also go by the name Yellow Perch, and for good reason. They have a dark back, almost black, and their sides are a yellowish greenish colour. Along their body they also have vertical black bands. They are related to walleyes yet they are a quite different fish. In some perch their bottom fins have a very distinctive orange colour. If you see any hint of orange on the fins it is a dead give-away that you have landed a perch. They are usually considered pan fish so they do not grow too big. They can range from 6-12 inches and will usually weigh in at a pound or less, with anything over 2 pounds being considered a real trophy perch.

How to handle: Even though they may be a close cousin of the walleye they do not have sharp jagged teeth like them. Like the largemouth bass or smallmouth bass you can easily place your fingers in its mouth to release your hook. When you do catch one they are usually easily handled by grabbing them in the palm of your hand and gently squeezing them so that they don’t jump out while you are freeing your tackle. Make sure that before you grab them you retract their dorsal fin so as to not jab yourself on it. One big tip is to make sure you have pliers standing by in order to remove your hook. These guys are notorious hook swallowers and if you are fishing with a hook and bobber you can expect them to inhale your bait.

Where to find them: These guys are an abundant species and can be found in almost all bodies of water in Ontario. They prefer to hang out on the edges of weeds, but fairly close to an open clear spot where they can quickly swim out and grab a snack then hide back into the weeds. Since they are usually small fish they tend to hide in places where they can make a quick get away from large predators. They can hang around in anywhere from just 1 or 2 feet of water up to 20-25 feet of water once the ice freezes the lake over.

How to catch them: Perch are a relatively easy fish to catch. They are active all day long and can be caught right from morning into the late evening. They are a perfect fish to go after if all you want to do is have some action all day long or want to introduce a child to fishing. The best and easiest way to catch them in simply with a hook and bobber combo. You can simply cast out your line on the end of a dock or from a shore to locate these little fighters. Look for an open spot amongst weeds and just wait for them to come out and go after your bait. Like other pan fish they provide hours of fun and will almost never stop biting. Like rock bass they are not easily spooked by man-made structures such as docks or in and around docked boats. You can also get lucky and catch them using a small spinner or spoon. Once of the best ways to catch them is to go ice fishing. When the summer is gone I can’t wait until the water freezes over and I can land a few of these guys through the ice. With ice fishing they are best caught using a minnow. Usually during this time they have also fattened up so catching them is a lot of fun. On a good day it is not uncommon to catch upwards of 20 of them in once ice fishing trip. Like walleye these guys also make for excellent eating. Usually you can keep a lot of them for eating but again, make sure you check your local regulations as to what size and amount you can keep.

A Live Piotr Perch

Perch

Perch 2

Characteristics: Pike are a long slender fish. They usually have a greenish body, but this can change from a light green to a darker green based on their environment and their food source. They also have very unique spots on their body. These spots are oval shaped. Cover their entire body, and are usually white or yellowish in colour. Pike can range from anywhere around 30cm and can grow all the way up to 150cm! These are true brutes of the underwater world. When they are young they can weigh in at a small 3-4 pounds but once they grow up they can get up to 50 pounds with some even larger than that.

How to handle: Be very careful with these guys, especially if you land a big one. They are very powerful fish and if you catch one that is 20 plus pounds you make have some issues with grabbing it. First of all you must be aware that these large predators have very sharp teeth, so don’t go sticking your hand inside its mouth unless you want to be cut. The best way to pull them ashore or to pull them into a boat is to grab them under their gills. If you look at a fish it usually has a hard outer edge around its gills to protect them. This is known as the gill plate. On a pike this gill plate is quite large and you can easily side your hand in behind this gill plate and grab the fish through there, all the while making sure not to actually grab it by its gills so as to not damage it. Once you have it grasped under its gill plate you can pull it into your boat or onto shore and then support it by its belly so that it is cradled in your hands vertically, as my buddy Tom does in the pictures page. One of the best ways to land these guys is to use a net or a fish cradle. While you usually net a fish it tends to calm down making it a lot easier to handle.

Where to find them: These guys love to hang out in weeds. As they are ambush predators so they tend to hang out in weed beds ready to pounce on any minnow or small bait fish that swims by. Weeds however, or only part of the equation, these guys can also be found in deeper waters with rocky bottoms. Be sure to try out both of these types of waters to try to catch one of these guys. These guys are best caught in early to late fall as they go into a feeding frenzy before the winter. You will find a lot of targeting anglers them at this time.

How to catch them: As I said these guys are big time predators and they like to hang out and just wait for a bait fish to swim past them. The best way to hook into one of these guys is to fish the edges of weeds. Unlike bass they don’t tend to really dig themselves deep in the weeds, they prefer to just be on the outskirts waiting for something to swim by. They can accelerate very quickly with their slender bodies and will eat almost anything. The best baits to use on these guys is a buck tail spinner, a large spoon, or even a crank bait. One thing is certain though, if you want to catch a big pike you have to use a big bait. A large predator like this will not waste its energy eating a lot of tiny fish, instead it will make one quick move to get the most out of its bite, hence you should use larger style baits. A great method for catching pike is to troll right beside weed beds or through channels in lakes with a slow presentation. In winter months these guys can also be caught through the ice. They feed all year long but your best bet is to target these monsters in early to late fall.

Northern Pike

Northern Pike 2