Bassin' After Work
I moved to Muskoka to fish more. Really - it was right in my cover letter. There's nothing better than being able to hit the water, if only for an hour or two, after a tough day at work. But it can be challenging to be successful when you're in a kayak and your time is limited. Based on my outing this week, which was under two hours, I offer the following tips:
Keep it basic
No, not that basic. Keep it simple and don't take all of your gear with you. Limit yourself to one rod and one style of fishing. Don't take your electronics - you'll waste time setting everything up. And pick a spot where you don't have to travel or paddle very far.
Make minor adjustments
I exclusively fished a shaky head when I went out on Wednesday evening. Starting with a Lindy 3.75" Thumpin' Ringworm in purple and pink, I switched to a green senko for a presentation that was a little more subtle and natural. Coincidentally, it was the first time I fished a senko on a shaky head.
Remember the good old days
The evening began slowly. Not having brought my electronics, I was fishing fairly shallow - targeting submerged trees. I became discouraged after about an hour, thinking that bigger fish must be relating to deeper structure at this time of year. But then I remembered all of the success I had when I was camping near the French River in 2010, catching smallmouth in the mornings and evenings on the edges of lily pads.
Switching from wood to vegetation was the trick on Wednesday. Before long, I caught several bass, including a couple 2-3 pounders. Not bad for just under two hours in a kayak! And don't forget to watch your line, which can be tough when you're fishing braid with a long fluorocarbon leader. Often you'll see your line swimming towards you before you feel anything, so make sure to reel in the slack and set the hook!
Greg Cholkan is a lawyer and fisherman. He works in Muskoka with Barriston LLP and his practice focuses on real estate, wills and estates, and business matters. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
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