6.9 lb Whitefish

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Detritus
Posts: 538
Joined: Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:50 pm
Species: Anything we can catch
Location: Vergennes

6.9 lb Whitefish

Post by Detritus »

So we went out this morning to catch a few Lakers for the smoker. Skunked on that project! Couldn't believe it.

Launched out of the river, headed north of sloop, and set up on bottom in about 80 to 100 feet, also a couple riggers set at 60. First fish was a little smallmouth. Hit a lake trout spoon behind cowbells. We're pretty sure it was the smallmouth bass version of "Hold my beer!".

Second and only other fish of the morning hit a weird orange and blue spoon with tassels on it on one of the 60 ft riggers.

6.9 lb whitefish.
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Only a couple pounds off of the state record. First one ever in the boat. We tried to release it, but, it didn't make it. So, it's in a brine right now, going in the neighbors smoker tomorrow. Kind of a weird fish.

So, it was a tough morning for fishing, pretty slow. But, interestingly enough, it was Liam's 5th -different than last year- Master Angler entry, 7th overall for 2020. Kind of cool. Lewis Porter said in the letter to him last year something to the effect of "Good job. Next year try to catch 5 different species." haha. I didn't think he would do it.

We fished sloop north, ran to bouquet, south to split rock leap frogging a couple times. Still fleas around, not real bad, but, honestly still better than running the fat line in my opinion. Worse on the NY side.

Saw lots and lots of fish on bottom, even chasing our presentation, but, just could not get them to bite.

Jack
"Country Angler" - '93 Trophy 2002 - Cold water boat
"Strike Three" - '04 Triton SF21 - Warm water boat
"The Dumpster" - '90 Starcraft SF14 - Camping Boat

Jack
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Sawyer
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Location: woodstock, VT

Re: 6.9 lb Whitefish

Post by Sawyer »

Congrats Liam on your 5 master angler
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fishy1
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Re: 6.9 lb Whitefish

Post by fishy1 »

lake whitefish are an excellent eating fish most would kill to catch one. iv had had whitefish in the casinos and other places also. caught one ice fishing over 5lbs delicious fried. congratulations on catching that whitefish a tough catch, those fish on bottom you saw but wouldnt commit were probably whitefish. make a note of that spot where you caught the whitefish. overall you had a good day.
troutcrazy
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Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2015 5:21 pm
Species: crappie, trout, salmon, perch

Re: 6.9 lb Whitefish

Post by troutcrazy »

Outstanding! I can't even begin to explain how much effort I've put into trying to catch one in the kayak. And walking all over the ice. I've caught a few through the ice. Tastiest fish in the lake IMO.
digitroll (ron)
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Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:58 pm

Re: 6.9 lb Whitefish

Post by digitroll (ron) »

Pretty good catch! 40 years of trolling the lake I have never caught one. When we visit Michigan every summer the native americans net them to sell and it's a very delicious fish on the menu there at restaurants in the UP. I have seen the on the sonar with a very different echo than salmon or LT especially off Eagle Mtn. (schools of them) in the 80's. Never could get them to bite. I would see many laying on the ice off Thompson point during the smelt days back then around 4-5 lbs. they were considered trash fish I believe by ice fisherman. Haven't been out in 3 weeks here. Surprised reports of Fleas are still around this late in the season. My 50 lb test spliced into my Ontario rods and using wire on my Lite Bites have worked well. A few more weeks they should disappear.
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Detritus
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Joined: Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:50 pm
Species: Anything we can catch
Location: Vergennes

Re: 6.9 lb Whitefish

Post by Detritus »

Thanks Sawyer, I'll tell him. Kid loves to fish.

Fishy1, we weren't doing anything special to catch this besides sitting around staring at the rods not firing. 55' down, over 80-100 feet of water, nothing special for bottom structure. I'll put up a picture of the spoon someday if I can remember, but that wasn't too crazy either.

Troutcrazy, it was unexpected for sure. We were all like, wow, what is that? Then when it got close, it was instantly recognizable, really. Strange catch for sure.

Digitroll, we had heard a few stories about them, Liam's fishing buddy's dad caught one last year I think. Probably similar depth, earlier in the summer, but near bottom. My brother in law the dockmaster at point bay, probably most of you guys know him, took someone out once in his boat, and the guy did something funny like drop a night crawler 65 feet to the bottom, and immediately caught one and released it.

As for how the fish tasted, it was in fact good. However, I would honestly take smoked lake trout, baked salmon, crappie, first, then this fish, walleye, and perch. Unless we were fishing for dinner, I'd probably try to throw the next one back again. We did a good job preparing it, and the neighbor did a good job smoking it. It's just a cool looking rare to catch fish, and I always like to put those kind back. Eat the dime a dozen or stocked fish.

Jack
"Country Angler" - '93 Trophy 2002 - Cold water boat
"Strike Three" - '04 Triton SF21 - Warm water boat
"The Dumpster" - '90 Starcraft SF14 - Camping Boat

Jack
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Dilly Worm
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Species: target salmon & catch togue

Re: 6.9 lb Whitefish

Post by Dilly Worm »

Congrats on a rare catch ! If you're only going to catch 1 or 2 fish on a trip it's hard to beat something unusual like a big whitefish :D
I do not exaggerate when I talk about fishing - I underestimate, like I say "just one more cast honey, then I'll come home" !
Keep Calm and... Fish On !
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fishy1
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Re: 6.9 lb Whitefish

Post by fishy1 »

Lake whitefish are the #1 commercialized fish in north america for good reason there tasty. No need to smoke them.
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raz
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Species: Coldwater fishes!!!
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Re: 6.9 lb Whitefish

Post by raz »

Very cool! Congratulations to Liam!!! He's quite the fisherman!
Catch and serve with lemon.
Gerry
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