Welcome to my outdoors & fishing blog where I like to discuss my adventures be it fishing from a kayak, the shore rivers and creeks for any and every fish this wonderful ecosystem in Northern Indiana has to offer.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Late Fall Northern Pike | Hamilton Lake, Indiana
First off let's come to an agreement that the phrase 'Late Fall' is a combination of unseasonably warm weather for December 6th 2015 and the weeks leading up to this fishing excursion. Like most all of our outings the group starts text messaging each other on Monday morning (post coffee +1 or more) with "who's fishing this weekend?". These conversations sometimes go on for days as we talk about the weather patterns, what reports we have heard from fellow anglers and just simply what fish we want to target!
Led by Mike Densel (Hobie Fishing Regional Team Angler), Brad T. and James E. we all paddle our fully outfitted fishing kayaks out of the launch site and head northwest towards Crystal Cove. Now I have been fishing on Hamilton Lake several times for Largemouth Bass and combed almost every single inch of the best shorelines, but I must admit I have never ventured into this location Mike suggested we fish for Hamilton's most sought after fish; the Northern Pike!
As we are paddling and talking with one another there is a shout of 'Oh My Gosh, look at your locators! In 50+ feet of water we were looking at HUGE bait-balls with very large arches posted at the most strategic locations ready to pounce. *Sidenote, in case you don't know (Bait-balls) ie; bait fish tend to gather up very tight to try and look larger but in the end this simply makes for an easy shoot thru the buffet line of life for a hungry Northern looking for a tasty meal.
As we enter the gateway to the cove we all look to our lead man for tackle advice, Mike gives us a few suggestions on what he would suggest; jerk-baits, lipless cranks, spinners and we all start to move thru the water.
A few casts here and there and Mike begins to peddle towards this really cool bridge, not wanting to be left behind I follow him to the other side, and I am glad I did. Shortly after we arrive on the other side I decide to put on a 5" original Rapala (Perch color) and very slowly troll the 9 to 12 foot crystal clear water, it must have been no more than 3 minutes and WHAM I had my first Northern on the line, not the monster I wished for but a nice 20 incher that gave me my first taste of fishing for Northerns from my Hobie.
Now I have to tell you I would have thought these fish would put up one heck of a fight but after the initial strike and a short thrashing they just kind of turned into a log, as if to say ok..ok, you got me. Never the less I had a really good time with my friends fishing for Northern Pike on a super clear lake and in DECEMBER no less. So the next time you're sitting around trying to figure out where to go, set the GPS North bound, grab your rod and reel and head to Hamilton Lake Indiana for some excellent Pike fishing.
Led by Mike Densel (Hobie Fishing Regional Team Angler), Brad T. and James E. we all paddle our fully outfitted fishing kayaks out of the launch site and head northwest towards Crystal Cove. Now I have been fishing on Hamilton Lake several times for Largemouth Bass and combed almost every single inch of the best shorelines, but I must admit I have never ventured into this location Mike suggested we fish for Hamilton's most sought after fish; the Northern Pike!
As we are paddling and talking with one another there is a shout of 'Oh My Gosh, look at your locators! In 50+ feet of water we were looking at HUGE bait-balls with very large arches posted at the most strategic locations ready to pounce. *Sidenote, in case you don't know (Bait-balls) ie; bait fish tend to gather up very tight to try and look larger but in the end this simply makes for an easy shoot thru the buffet line of life for a hungry Northern looking for a tasty meal.
As we enter the gateway to the cove we all look to our lead man for tackle advice, Mike gives us a few suggestions on what he would suggest; jerk-baits, lipless cranks, spinners and we all start to move thru the water.
A few casts here and there and Mike begins to peddle towards this really cool bridge, not wanting to be left behind I follow him to the other side, and I am glad I did. Shortly after we arrive on the other side I decide to put on a 5" original Rapala (Perch color) and very slowly troll the 9 to 12 foot crystal clear water, it must have been no more than 3 minutes and WHAM I had my first Northern on the line, not the monster I wished for but a nice 20 incher that gave me my first taste of fishing for Northerns from my Hobie.
Now I have to tell you I would have thought these fish would put up one heck of a fight but after the initial strike and a short thrashing they just kind of turned into a log, as if to say ok..ok, you got me. Never the less I had a really good time with my friends fishing for Northern Pike on a super clear lake and in DECEMBER no less. So the next time you're sitting around trying to figure out where to go, set the GPS North bound, grab your rod and reel and head to Hamilton Lake Indiana for some excellent Pike fishing.
Take care my friends and remember, a bad fishing is better than the best day working.
<o)))>< Fish Simply...your friend on the water
Hobie Fishing Team 2016 Angler | Joe Armstrong
Give ‘em a chance - Take those kids fishing!
When she said Daddy take me fishing I dropped what I was doing and took her fishing.
Make it a memorable experience, bait their hook, take the fish off, untangle the line and let them have fun. Then as you go more and more teach them how to bait their hook, show them how to take a fish off and just know that you will be untangling line for many years to come!
<o)))>< Fish Simply...your friend on the water
Hobie Fishing Team 2016 Angler | Joe Armstrong
Friday, August 28, 2015
The Berkley Flicker Shad - It's my "Swiss Army Knife" of baits!
Each excursion for me always starts the same way;
1. Where am I going
2. What species will I target
3. What's the current weather
4. Based on current conditions what gear should I bring, rods, reels, lures?
Now lets jump ahead to the day I was introduced to the Berkley Flicker Shad. I was invited to join a few kayak anglers to fish a popular Rainbow Trout lake in Northern Indiana and to this point in my life I had only fished for Trout in a lake with a hook, sinker and a big ole earthworm. That way of fishing for Rainbows has ceased to exist for me from the moment I tied on my first Berkley Flicker Shad, a #4 Chrome Clown with super sharp Mustad treble hooks.
The Berkley Flicker Shad crankbait features an awesome flicker action with a rattle and roll that can mimic an injured fish or if trolled at a good pace gives off the appearance of a fleeing baitfish. The action of the Flicker Shad along with the noise and vibration from the internal rattles can trigger some of the most violent strikes I have ever experienced during casting or trolling.
As I go from lake to lake and river to stream I have found that the Berkley Flicker Shad consistently produces great catch rates, whether it's river walleye nailing the Firetiger, an aggressive Rainbow attacking the Chrome Clown or a feisty Black Crappie chasing a trolled Bluetiger, these lures sure do get the job done.
For me, if I now answer questions 1-3 with any body of water flowing or flat, any species and the weather is hot or cold, it's windy or the sun is blazing hot I will always grab my box full of Berkley Flicker Shads because I can almost always guarantee that I will come home with a story and some good pictures or a cooler full of tasty fish.
Species caught: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Flat Head Catfish, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Pearch, Common Carp, Walleye, Northern Pike, Rockbass and Sheepshead (Freshwater Drum).
1. Where am I going
2. What species will I target
3. What's the current weather
4. Based on current conditions what gear should I bring, rods, reels, lures?
 |
| Rainbow Trout |
Now lets jump ahead to the day I was introduced to the Berkley Flicker Shad. I was invited to join a few kayak anglers to fish a popular Rainbow Trout lake in Northern Indiana and to this point in my life I had only fished for Trout in a lake with a hook, sinker and a big ole earthworm. That way of fishing for Rainbows has ceased to exist for me from the moment I tied on my first Berkley Flicker Shad, a #4 Chrome Clown with super sharp Mustad treble hooks.
The Berkley Flicker Shad crankbait features an awesome flicker action with a rattle and roll that can mimic an injured fish or if trolled at a good pace gives off the appearance of a fleeing baitfish. The action of the Flicker Shad along with the noise and vibration from the internal rattles can trigger some of the most violent strikes I have ever experienced during casting or trolling.
As I go from lake to lake and river to stream I have found that the Berkley Flicker Shad consistently produces great catch rates, whether it's river walleye nailing the Firetiger, an aggressive Rainbow attacking the Chrome Clown or a feisty Black Crappie chasing a trolled Bluetiger, these lures sure do get the job done.
 |
| Firetiger |
 |
| Bluetiger |
 |
| Chrome Clown |
For me, if I now answer questions 1-3 with any body of water flowing or flat, any species and the weather is hot or cold, it's windy or the sun is blazing hot I will always grab my box full of Berkley Flicker Shads because I can almost always guarantee that I will come home with a story and some good pictures or a cooler full of tasty fish.
Species caught: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Flat Head Catfish, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Pearch, Common Carp, Walleye, Northern Pike, Rockbass and Sheepshead (Freshwater Drum).
<o)))>< Fish Simply...your friend on the water
Hobie Fishing Team 2016 Angler | Joe Armstrong
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Indiana Rivers & Streams Interactive Map
We do so much on our computers before we even step out of the door. That planning includes things like looking at boards to see what other people are talking about in regards to where the fishing is hot, reviewing weather patterns and even looking for a good spot to try.
Personally I like to take a trip to my fishing outfitter www.protackleoutfitters.com and chat with your buddies and or the guy behind the counter. However I do agree that the amount of information available to us on the Internet can make for some very successful outings.
With that in mind I have found this excellent resource where you get flow rates, outfitters, GPS info and more on this clickable map.
<o)))>< Fish Simply...your friend on the water
Hobie Fishing Team 2016 Angler | Joe Armstrong
Indiana Regulation Guide...SAVE THIS LINK!
Hello fellow angler,
If you love fishing and the wonderful outdoors Indiana has to offer, I ask you to be a good steward of our precious resources and take a moment to review the regulations for fishing all of Indiana's waterways.
Remember if you ever have a question or a concern you can always look back to this post to access the e-regs for the state of Indiana.
Find the guide at http://www.eregulations.com/indiana/fishing/fishing-regulations/
<o)))>< Fish Simply...your friend on the water
Hobie Fishing Team 2016 Angler | Joe Armstrong
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