Oswego area 8/15-8/18

[vtfishin]

Quick report:

We headed over Thursday morning with plans to fish Thursday PM, and then Fri through Sunday.

This would be our first time with our own boat putting together our own program. First time on the big O for a friend that joined the program as well. The rest had mixed experience.

Thursday 8/15: We had heard there was a big blow happening so we hoped it would lie down. We arrived to reports of most boats not being able to fish for 2 days (Wednesday and Thursday) due to high winds and 4-6 footers. Real 4-6'. We got out for an hour just to check things out Thursday night when they dropped to about 3+' just before sunset. We wanted to see the outlet to the lake and didn't plan on fishing...It was fishable but not comfortable in the 21 foot Genmar. Well, we knew the ropes for the morning anyway.

Friday 8/16: Blasted out of Catfish Creek at 5:30 am and found 70degree water down to 140’ or better. Mexico bay is “shallow” and getting out to deeper water to find fish and temps is a hike for sure. The water was “rough” (2-3-ish foot rollers) so we dealt with the water we had. We had 2 hits and no one home. So we were off to a first day skunk. Heard from many fisherman that had the same luck Friday. Some charters got on em but they were out over 500’ of water and fishing 160’ down. Others picked away at some fish in shallower water but no huge numbers except for some charters that put em in the boat.

Saturday 8/17: We decided to trailer to Oswego for Saturday morning to get closer to deeper water. We pushed out to 400’ of water and found temp at 125-150’. We hit a nice 25lb king (and my buddies first) over 500’ of water on a black 001 dipsey on the #1.5 setting back 375’ on wire with a dk green chip and an A-Tom-Mik green Hammer. Pics coming. Picked up another 20lb king 137’ down on the rigger with a lead of 25’. The lake kept settling down and eventually was flat calm. We lost 2 (one was a pig, felt 20-25 lbs during the 15 min fight, 2 big runs that were darn fun) due to creating messes as we got used to running a lot of bling on a smaller platform. The boat was unfamiliar to us so it took some getting used to. I boated a 15 lber and we finished the day with 3 fish in the boat, 3 lost and two unanswered releases.

Sunday 8/18: we fished the morning before taking off for home. small chop on the water and overcast. Found temp at 115’ over 500’. Boated a nice 15lb king and lost a screamer on a glow dipsey 100’ down. I think we lost it because I had the tension set too high on the dipsey (hey, the first time it released when I was piutting it out so I “tightened er up”!). We only had a couple hours but we were back in them over 500’ of water out in front of Oswego. Generally, the charter cap’ns we spoke with said Sunday am was slow and a bit scattered.

In general the old style Pig pen (dk green/chartreuse), solid Dark green pro troll with chip, mtn dew spin doctor and A-Tom-Mik hammer flies were hitting.
The big blow over 3 days (started Tuesday) seemed to have blown in some warm water and the kings were out deeper trying to breath. We had the most success 10-13 miles out.

We stayed at Catfish Creek fishcamp. Worked out great if not a little expensive and unclear that they only want payments in cash… found that out after our stay… web site says they accept cards… anyway, we stayed in a nice clean 3 bedroom log home. Pretty posh fishing digs by my standards, used to staying in the truck.

Great trip. I thought we fared well during a slow, deep bite. All I know is we caught fish, drank a couple pops and it sure wasn’t work. Life is good.

[Dipsey]

Excellent report vtfishin. I heard it was tough out there. Sounds like you guys stayed at it and caught some nice fish. Headed to Fairhaven Friday, may end up in Oswego but will be based at Fairhaven. Talked to one guy that did well way out deep in Fairhaven Friday, another friend out there did a couple each day. I think Ice Dawg is out there somewhere now.

[rockntroll]

I give you credit for hauling your boat there to try it. Thursday and Friday in the morning I'm certain we could not fairer well with our boat.Congrats on the screamers!

[vtfishin]

Thanks Shake-n-bake, we gave 'er and had fun. Best of luck to you over there, the thermal was setting up nice when we left, I would bet they slayed em today. Be safe and have a blast!

Rockntroll, I jumped on with a buddy pulling his boat over for the first time. We all combined setups and lures and it helped out a lot. Getting on the pond with good folks and working as a team puts things in perspective!

Couple pics:

[tuckhunts87]

wicked fish!!!! i'll be there in 10days!!!!!cannot wait!!

[Dipsey]

Holy King Salmon! What a Shark!

[Dirtyhooker]

Nice pics and post. Lake O is very addicting. We did 2 majors out of Oswego on Sat prior to trailering to Henderson.
Scott

[mac]

Mean Green Fish. Wow!

[Reelax]

Nice report Matt... Great looking fish

[raz]

Beautiful Matt!