Dullhook
07-19-2008, 08:12 AM
Just got back from Paulina yesterday and like nws reported in his thread the weather and fishing were great. Managed a limit every day by 11 am and the kokes ran from 11 1/2" to 14" and were really prime. They've had a chance grow a lot in the last couple months and the meat was typically Paulina red. This was Friday mornings' catch:
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Paulina_Lake_July_15-18_2008_009.jpg
All fish were caught jigging and the hot time seemed to be from about 7 am until about 11. Some of the campers I spoke to said it really died down during the afternoon but picked up again early evenings. I only used one jig which has been my favorite go-to producer throughout the years. I'm sure other jigs worked just as well but it's best to use what you've got confidence in. This is a 1/2 0z Cabelas' Real Image glow:
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Paulina_Lake_July_15-18_2008_002.jpg
Met lots of nice people to share fishing info and tales with and ran into some of the same folks from Crescent Lake a couple of weeks back. This retirement business is mighty good stuff and summer camping and fishing is better than expected.
As for what areas to fish and which techniques...there were two that produced best. When it was calm in the morning wind drifting in water depths between 60' and 90' got the most strikes. Working the jig off the bottom was the best ticket. If they stopped hitting the jig down deep another method worked well. Cast out about 25' from the boat and work it in without retrieving any line. When the jig is up to the boat start stripping line one pull (about three feet) at a time at about 30 second intervals until the jig eventually hits bottom and then repeat. When the fish were suspended off the the bottom the jig would find the sweet area and the fish would hit. As for areas: out from the last bird box on the resort side in about 90' of water was good. Also about half way between the last bird box and the Red Slide. Wind drifting was faster action than anchoring but when the wind came up you can limit out anchored as well.
I usually like to have breakfast before going out but had a (another) senior moment and left the eggs at home in the fridge. Thursday morning caught 4 fish by 9 am so I figured going in and eating a couple then coming back out was a good plan. Pulled the basket out of the water and there were only two fish in it. The wire netting had separated from the rim and two had squeezed through the hole and escaped. Went in and fried up the others and fixed the basket, and fortunately still managed a full limit. The fishing was very good indeed. :excited:
Took this pic off the bridge over the spillway going to the resort. In the middle you can see a big brown and his shadow beneath him. I guessed he weighed 6-7 lbs. Of course if I'd caught and released him he'd have grown to 10 lbs :wink:. Anyway he'd found a place for a easy meal because that area is just swarming with chubs. He didn't stay there very long and went back under the cover of the bridge. Never did see him again.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Paulina_Lake_July_15-18_2008_003.jpg
Didn't remember the eggs but campfire steak ain't too bad either. Thursday evening community barbeque. Best of luck everybody! :cheers:
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Paulina_Lake_July_15-18_2008_004.jpg
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Paulina_Lake_July_15-18_2008_009.jpg
All fish were caught jigging and the hot time seemed to be from about 7 am until about 11. Some of the campers I spoke to said it really died down during the afternoon but picked up again early evenings. I only used one jig which has been my favorite go-to producer throughout the years. I'm sure other jigs worked just as well but it's best to use what you've got confidence in. This is a 1/2 0z Cabelas' Real Image glow:
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Paulina_Lake_July_15-18_2008_002.jpg
Met lots of nice people to share fishing info and tales with and ran into some of the same folks from Crescent Lake a couple of weeks back. This retirement business is mighty good stuff and summer camping and fishing is better than expected.
As for what areas to fish and which techniques...there were two that produced best. When it was calm in the morning wind drifting in water depths between 60' and 90' got the most strikes. Working the jig off the bottom was the best ticket. If they stopped hitting the jig down deep another method worked well. Cast out about 25' from the boat and work it in without retrieving any line. When the jig is up to the boat start stripping line one pull (about three feet) at a time at about 30 second intervals until the jig eventually hits bottom and then repeat. When the fish were suspended off the the bottom the jig would find the sweet area and the fish would hit. As for areas: out from the last bird box on the resort side in about 90' of water was good. Also about half way between the last bird box and the Red Slide. Wind drifting was faster action than anchoring but when the wind came up you can limit out anchored as well.
I usually like to have breakfast before going out but had a (another) senior moment and left the eggs at home in the fridge. Thursday morning caught 4 fish by 9 am so I figured going in and eating a couple then coming back out was a good plan. Pulled the basket out of the water and there were only two fish in it. The wire netting had separated from the rim and two had squeezed through the hole and escaped. Went in and fried up the others and fixed the basket, and fortunately still managed a full limit. The fishing was very good indeed. :excited:
Took this pic off the bridge over the spillway going to the resort. In the middle you can see a big brown and his shadow beneath him. I guessed he weighed 6-7 lbs. Of course if I'd caught and released him he'd have grown to 10 lbs :wink:. Anyway he'd found a place for a easy meal because that area is just swarming with chubs. He didn't stay there very long and went back under the cover of the bridge. Never did see him again.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Paulina_Lake_July_15-18_2008_003.jpg
Didn't remember the eggs but campfire steak ain't too bad either. Thursday evening community barbeque. Best of luck everybody! :cheers:
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Paulina_Lake_July_15-18_2008_004.jpg