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For the past few weeks a monster has been tormenting me. I've snapped 3 leaders myself, and a few other buddies have had some break offs, one on 15lb leader. These are the type of fish that keep me going and wondering what the hell is through that 8" hole. I am on a big lake with little structure and not fishing over a hole, however on a shelf that runs the length of the lake. I knew it had to be a toothy critter and from the amount of giant pickerel we've pulled through the ice this year it was no surprise when my buddy landed one this weekend and said "YOOO Ive got all your hardware right here." I quickly ran over and saw the multiple hooks and leaders hanging from this thieves mug not to mention the tuna sized hook he caught him on with a Pike shiner HAHA. One gold egg hook, one snell hook with leader (had already rusted and broke when he took it out with pliers) and I am sure he had one down in the back of the throat but I wasnt going digging for that its a souvenir now. Ryan, there must be something there that made him hang around. As you know they find an ambush spot and hang as long as the food source is still available. I bet there’s a dead tree or branch near your set-up or even a subtle depression or hump that’s not showing up on your fishfinder. I used to catch the same big pickerel in Bow Lake near a submerged tree that had a scar on its side. Good luck this weekend if you fish.Anyway the point being I could not believe that this fish was just sticking around for weeks especially where I am not fishing over a said hole but more of a shelf that I assumed the fish would travel along and keep moving. It was not the monster I had imagined but it definitely brought some excitement. He is back down there to harass someone else hopefully not me anoymore but if it happens again hes eagle food. You can see the gold egg hook top left and the top of snell on the right from other side of mouthSome other picks from the derby.. Top my buddy got a 29"er day before the derby snapped the leader in the hole I had to reach in for the head with no gloves weighed it after being on the ice for hours on a spring scale said 5lb but that's not justice, second my buddies girlfriend jigged up a 4lber and was late to the board derby sunday, 3rd is an average 3.5lb that we've been getting all winter and I occassionally catch trolling open water,Anyone else been getting into the pickerel by accident this season?
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Topic: Pick-pocketing pickerel (Read 1139 times)
