Pickerel! Lake Hawkins 2-27-08
It all started out with me getting up a little late, no shocker there, and having to really rush to get to Lake Hawkins on time. I made it just about right, and found Rob Woodruff, Woodruff Guide Service, walking toward me with a rod in hand. He had just hooked a nice chunky pickerel right there by the dock. A good sign I hoped.
Tom made it back soon after that, sorry about the license thing Tom and Rob, and we got started. Rob put us right next to the dock and started working that shore line. He educated us about pickerel, esox niger, and how they sit while waiting for food chances. The fish will sit very close to the shore with their tail toward land waiting to chase down their meal. Interesting. It took all of about 15 minutes before Tom had gotten into his first pickerel, of the trip and his life actually. It was a nice little fish and they put up quite a fight.
Tom made it back soon after that, sorry about the license thing Tom and Rob, and we got started. Rob put us right next to the dock and started working that shore line. He educated us about pickerel, esox niger, and how they sit while waiting for food chances. The fish will sit very close to the shore with their tail toward land waiting to chase down their meal. Interesting. It took all of about 15 minutes before Tom had gotten into his first pickerel, of the trip and his life actually. It was a nice little fish and they put up quite a fight.
We continued down that shore and got 4-5 fish along there before moving around the corner. We figured out that on this day they were in water with more woods and a bit deeper than expected. We found fish in several areas before breaking for lunch. We pulled the boat and headed to Subway for a sandwich. It was quick and got us back on the water sooner.
This one looks like he was ready for lunch as well. If I was a better photographer you could see those rows of little needle like teeth in his mouth. You need forceps everytime you unhook one of these fish!
This one looks like he was ready for lunch as well. If I was a better photographer you could see those rows of little needle like teeth in his mouth. You need forceps everytime you unhook one of these fish!
Once back in the water we tried the shore beside the dock again and found about a half dozen more pickerel there. Throughout the day we also added about 4 black bass to our catch, they were really healthy looking as well. Could be a good sign for the summer bass there on Hawkins.
We moved to the north side of the lake and worked the shore there. It seemed we were catching fewer fish but definitely larger per fish there. Tom bested me again, from the back of the boat no less, by getting into a nice 2.5 pound pickerel on this side of the lake. We ran the shore by the dock one more time and again got into about 5-6 fish within the 150 yards by the dock!
We moved to the north side of the lake and worked the shore there. It seemed we were catching fewer fish but definitely larger per fish there. Tom bested me again, from the back of the boat no less, by getting into a nice 2.5 pound pickerel on this side of the lake. We ran the shore by the dock one more time and again got into about 5-6 fish within the 150 yards by the dock!
I had to add that picture as it is the only picture of a fish I caught that day. And he was a fairly nice one also! But here is a link to video of Tom catching what would have been a lake fly fishing pickerel record, and probably an all tackle record. We had not looked at the records for that body of water and missed a great chance, DOH! But I know I will be back to fish for these fun fish again as soon as I get a chance!
Tom's "Record" catch!
I made the drive home and got to enjoy my favorite thing of all, spending time with Lucie! That made it a really great day all around!
If you want to enjoy some great fly fishing for these pickerel, bass or even the trout in Oklahoma contact Rob Woodruff at Woodruff guide service. There is a link to his website at the top of this blog. Good luck and get out and fish!!!!
Tom's "Record" catch!
I made the drive home and got to enjoy my favorite thing of all, spending time with Lucie! That made it a really great day all around!
If you want to enjoy some great fly fishing for these pickerel, bass or even the trout in Oklahoma contact Rob Woodruff at Woodruff guide service. There is a link to his website at the top of this blog. Good luck and get out and fish!!!!
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