GraphiteZen

I drove around today looking for some new spots (I found you can easily put a kayak or a Fishcat into the Calapooia at the park there by the bridge in Albany) and wound up at Buena Vista. This is where I put in to row up into the Lukiamute. I really is a great spot to bank fish and there is hardly ever anyone there.



By this time the rain had gone away and it had cleared up. Fished for a few hours caught 2 smallies, had another on and caught a whitefish (or a pikeminnow I'm not sure of the difference.)





I figured this was a good time to try my new spinner idea I have talked about and it worked great except that with smallies I think it is a bit to long and makes it hard to hook up.



I think what I'm going to do is put on a smaller hook and shorten the worm a bit. I was getting a lot of strikes but not solid hookups.
So, if you want to bank fish for some smallies this is a great place and they are definitely awake. All my hookups came from around the end of the ramp. Also, there were some really good sized fish rising so they are right there.

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When I die, screw some hooks into my spine and head for the deep water.

chris61182

Probably not a whitefish, though not improbable...

I don't think the pictures are all pikeminnows, but they're all members of the same family.

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Anatoliy

These guys look like chub.

GraphiteZen

See that's why I have had a hard time telling the difference. I used to catch a lot of chub in eastern Oregon but from looking at these photos I'm pretty sure I have been catching pikeminnow.
Are they good eating? I am about to get a nice smoker, would they be good then so long as I used some nice chips and a good marinade? I caught an 13 incher and the very next cast about an 18 inch pikeminnow the other day in Peoria but I wasn't sure about the meat...

__________________
When I die, screw some hooks into my spine and head for the deep water.

Troutski

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Practice C.P.R. (Catch Photograph and Release)

chris61182

I have no idea how they are for eating. Everything I've ever read says they are nasty, but I wonder how many people have ever actually tried them. So I say if you're curious give it a whirl and let us know!

Combat Chuck

Very good I stumbled onto this after a search for where Buena vista was. Just click the water trail button on the right. Nice listings of all the parks and islands you can hit on the Willamette. Also how do you like your reel? Ive been looking at getting a bait caster but I have no clue what to get. Is that a 6600? I think Joes has em on sale now. Is that a good one to look into?

Hawk

It appears some folks are making some $$$$$$ catchin' pikeminnow/ squawfish..............


Anglerama: Get paid for fishing! Oregon puts a bounty on the northern pikeminnow



Those Bass are Mighty Beautiful fish GraphiteZen................................. .........

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on a mountain west of Wolf Creek...

Hawk

Howdy GraphiteZen;

With a spinnerbait i've found many times it has worked to my advantage to add a shorter trailer hook to the main hook..............add a chunk of worm..........


if'n i remember correctly Premier Plus or Booyah spinnerbaits come with a trailer hook........................................ ......

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on a mountain west of Wolf Creek...

GraphiteZen

Troutski, the ramp on the right side is another ramp but is only about as wide as a sidewalk. Later on in the year they will attach a large dock to the front of the whole thing and the little ramp is where your kayak goes.

CombatChuck, yes I love my reel. it's a 4601C4 Winch (low ratio). It is really smooth and casts great. The spool break adjusts great and the drag is really even. I picked it up at a hock-shop for 25 bucks and an old Shimano, almost brand new. As far as what one to buy, the Ambassadors generally are great reels, but far as the model it's up to you. High speed/low speed, size etc.

__________________
When I die, screw some hooks into my spine and head for the deep water.