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20 minute walk to Grassmere Ponds

Found a few years ago that the pond has reddish brown salamanders so I experimented with a red/brown tube bait ,glued to a Johnson Spoon and found out it attracts Pickerel .I think it imitates a baitfish killing or fighting with a salamander and a Pickerel sees both as a meal and in their vulnerability ,it's time to strike. Tried it again this year and caught a 2 foot 3#,1oz beauty .ROD :6',Med. action ,Quantum ,'Dance Class' spinning rod ; REEL: Pflueger President' ,LINE :Cabelas, 8#test mono ,LURE: Johnson Spoon/Tube trailer.
This Pickerel took a big package ;a Gold Johnson spoon with a 3.5" trailer. About 5 and 3/4 " of lure . Amazing seductive wide swimming action on this deadly bait . I have caught Pickerel in the same pond before ,in years past ,using this pair.

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Albums: Summer 2014

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Comment by Jim Gronaw on August 7, 2014 at 9:57pm: Nice pickerel...looks like it has some weight, maybe 3.5 pounds.

These are under rated gamefish for sure and in high number in the Delmarva millponds where I have fished. In Maryland, Baltimores' Loch Raven Reservoir and western Marylands Deep Creek Lake are hotspots for big ones.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 7, 2014 at 6:29pm: "Chain Pickerel," aka esox niger.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 7, 2014 at 6:29pm: We call them "jack fish" here, Ken.
They are another species of pike, a Mini Muskie or
Nano Northern.
They fulfill the same role in the food chain, too, as far as it goes.
But a 2 footer like this one is considered big here in SC. I caught one near that size early last year, and a similar fish was featured on the local news later in the spring - that's how unique it is to catch them so large

Comment by Slip Sinker on August 7, 2014 at 6:21pm: sweet looking fish!

never caught one

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 7, 2014 at 4:53pm: Trophy jack fish in these parts.

Comment by John Sheehan on August 7, 2014 at 4:23pm: me too for gills .this matched the hatch today as it's done before .The trailer represents the color and size of the salamanders in those ponds. If Pickerel could think here's what I imagine this one I caught thinking ;"that looks like a fish attacking and swimming with a salamander .I'm gonna eat both " .

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 7, 2014 at 4:18pm: One of my best big gill baits has been the Silver Minnow with just a soft plastic tail attached.
I go for the spoons in the smallest size I can find... When I can find them

Comment by John Sheehan on August 7, 2014 at 4:13pm: You bet David took some drag and the Pflueger reel and Quantum rod was perfect to quell this excited beast . That Johnson spoon /Tube trailer lure combo is killer in those ponds .