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Kevin J Legg

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Posts posted by Kevin J Legg

    Bass fishing on the river, need BTDT advice and "etiquette"

    in St. Lawrence River Fishing Reports - 1000 Islands Fishing

    Posted

    That and the eyes in the winter...i can't believe they haven't instituted a slot limit for the winter. This is also coming from a guy that loves jigging them thru the ice.

    Sent from my SM-N950U using Lake Ontario United mobile app


    Couldn’t agree more. Need something like an 18-26” slot and with one over 26” for trophy or non releasable fish for the lake and St Lawrence River.


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    Bass fishing on the river, need BTDT advice and "etiquette"

    in St. Lawrence River Fishing Reports - 1000 Islands Fishing

    Posted

    I’ve seen a big increase in fishing pressure on the river both before and during the early bass season. Many more recreational and tournament fishermen and many from out of state. This is good for the local economy but perhaps not for the fishery. Tournament fishermen catch many fish with most being released but still stressed. Recreational fishermen and those fishing with guides keeping many for the table.
    My grandsons are starting to enjoy fishing and I hope DEC keeps a careful eye on maintaining the sustainability our great resource.


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    • Like 2

    Huge surprise this morning fishing walleyes.

    in Walleye

    Posted


    I got an early start this morning on the SLR. Was on the water by 2:45. I was trolling solo with two longlines on 7’ ugly stick spinning rods in rod holders with Bandit deep divers and a heavy bottom bouncer on a third rod in my hand. It was now 4:00 AM!
    While trolling in 24 fow I saw a longline come tight in the rod holder. while reeling in the bottom bouncer I headed out to deep water with the fish on the rod in rod holder. I then stopped the motor and began drifting down river. After grabbing the rod I knew it was a big fish. My first thought was a trophy walleye but it felt very heavy so next thought was a huge catfish.
    It went deep and I really just felt weight but then it turned and made a powerful run toward shallower water taking lots of drag. It made a move up river and I followed it around the back of the boat and then it really made a couple big fast runs and I was nervous it might cut me off on the shoal. There was no controlling it at this time and I basically just hung on as it took drag. Next it came out of the water and I knew it was a big muskie! It jumped a second time and fortunately then moved back to deeper water.
    It now seemed to be tiring and I slowly began gaining line. I was still drifting down river and now in deep water with no obstructions to deal with. It move toward the surface and I finally spotted it with my headlight. I easily lead it in and tried to slide her into my big salmon net but she wouldn’t fit. I had her head and about 2/3 of her body in the net but could get her tail in and hook was hung in the net. I tried lifting her tail into the net but still could fold it in. I decided I would have to to get my fingers under the gill plate and succeeded but it flopped and put a hook in my hand. Fortunately it didn’t go deep and came out when I dropped the fish and net. Now the fish and net were in the water but still attached to my line. Fortunately I was able to regain a hold on the net handle and by now was concerned with releasing the fish. I decided to try to get the hooks out without putting her in the boat. Fortunately I was successful but her gill plates were still tangled in the net. Finally I was able to free them and she swam off well.
     I have caught some big salmon and carp but this fish dwarfed them. As I have zero experience with big muskies My estimate would simply be a guess but I have a 38” ruler on the side of my boat and it was much bigger than that. If I were to make a guess I would say 50” or more. I know her head had to be 8” wide and she was thick all the way to the tail.
    Wish I could show a photo but it wasn’t to be as I wanted her back in the water safely. I’ve been fishing the river for 45 years and this was definitely the fish of my lifetime.
     
    Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

    Bought some bolt cutters to have in the boat as I had a scare with brief hook in my finger trying to get muskie in the boat. I had that happen once with a 36” pike and it wasn’t fun.would be a disaster with a Muskie.


    IMG_2814.JPG.5d289eb9ceb1d9ba589155dfb53616d4.JPG



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    • Like 2

    Huge surprise this morning fishing walleyes.

    in Walleye

    Posted


    I got an early start this morning on the SLR. Was on the water by 2:45. I was trolling solo with two longlines on 7’ ugly stick spinning rods in rod holders with Bandit deep divers and a heavy bottom bouncer on a third rod in my hand. It was now 4:00 AM!
    While trolling in 24 fow I saw a longline come tight in the rod holder. while reeling in the bottom bouncer I headed out to deep water with the fish on the rod in rod holder. I then stopped the motor and began drifting down river. After grabbing the rod I knew it was a big fish. My first thought was a trophy walleye but it felt very heavy so next thought was a huge catfish.
    It went deep and I really just felt weight but then it turned and made a powerful run toward shallower water taking lots of drag. It made a move up river and I followed it around the back of the boat and then it really made a couple big fast runs and I was nervous it might cut me off on the shoal. There was no controlling it at this time and I basically just hung on as it took drag. Next it came out of the water and I knew it was a big muskie! It jumped a second time and fortunately then moved back to deeper water.
    It now seemed to be tiring and I slowly began gaining line. I was still drifting down river and now in deep water with no obstructions to deal with. It move toward the surface and I finally spotted it with my headlight. I easily lead it in and tried to slide her into my big salmon net but she wouldn’t fit. I had her head and about 2/3 of her body in the net but could get her tail in and hook was hung in the net. I tried lifting her tail into the net but still could fold it in. I decided I would have to to get my fingers under the gill plate and succeeded but it flopped and put a hook in my hand. Fortunately it didn’t go deep and came out when I dropped the fish and net. Now the fish and net were in the water but still attached to my line. Fortunately I was able to regain a hold on the net handle and by now was concerned with releasing the fish. I decided to try to get the hooks out without putting her in the boat. Fortunately I was successful but her gill plates were still tangled in the net. Finally I was able to free them and she swam off well.
     I have caught some big salmon and carp but this fish dwarfed them. As I have zero experience with big muskies My estimate would simply be a guess but I have a 38” ruler on the side of my boat and it was much bigger than that. If I were to make a guess I would say 50” or more. I know her head had to be 8” wide and she was thick all the way to the tail.
    Wish I could show a photo but it wasn’t to be as I wanted her back in the water safely. I’ve been fishing the river for 45 years and this was definitely the fish of my lifetime.
     
    Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app


    • Like 16

    Bass fishing on the river, need BTDT advice and "etiquette"

    in St. Lawrence River Fishing Reports - 1000 Islands Fishing

    Posted

    Not so much of an issue now that season is open and bass are off the beds. Most locals were complaining about guys fishing bass before the opener which is illegal here.
    Water level is low and lots of shoals so you need to be careful. Use charts and GPS to avoid accidents.
    The current in the main river can also be an issue but with a bass boat shouldn’t be a big issue in boat control. The bigger bays tend to be shallower and weedy with little current. Largemouths tend to be related to the weeds and smallmouths more on rocky shoals and deeper water.



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    • Like 2

    Late August Myrtle Beach Charter Recommendations?

    in Open Lake Discussion

    Posted

    We fished with a guides on Santee Cooper. Fished catfish twice and crappies and bream another time. Think it was about an hour drive from Myrtle. My son caught a 48 lb flathead and he was only 11 years old! Santee has good stripers too.

    We also rented a small boat and fished Murrels Inlet and were able to catch a bunch of small bluefish and a flounder. This was on spring break and fishing is likely even better this time of year with warmer water.

     

     

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    • Like 1

    St Lawrence and Jefferson counties are off limits for preseason bass fishing

    in Bass Fishing

    Posted

    Once again this year I’m seeing many people targeting bass on the St Lawrence River. If bass are removed from their beds it has been shown that gobies quickly move in and eat eggs and fry. (I earlier posted a video showing this predation) Obviously this is harmful to the future of our fishery.

    This morning after fishing early for walleyes I returned to see an out of state tricked out bass boat launching. They asked how I did and I said I caught one walleye and was avoiding fishing shallow as there were many bass on the beds. The guys response was “that’s what we’re here for”!

    I said “you’re a week early and it’s not legal to target bass now” . No responds.

    I’m not sure if people aren’t aware of the law or simply don’t care but this is occurring far to often. It also seems that many violators come from out of state.

    I believe DEC should post the regulations at all public launches where these rules apply as the law does vary throughout the state. I also believe DEC should have a more visible presence during this critical spawning time.

    Yes we have a great resource as the bass pros have shown but wouldn’t it be great if future generations could also enjoy it. I personally hope my grandsons can experience it this year once season opens.

     

     

     

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