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Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

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Washington Lake Report
King County, WA

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Details

03/28/2015
51° - 55°
Trolling
Cutthroat Trout
Other
Green
Windy
Plug
Morning
51° - 55°
03/28/2015
5
2665

Met my fishing partner at the Newport launch around 9:15, as the wind was really blowing out of the south, we decided to start fishing the east channel north of the I-90 high rise. I started off dragging a mini hoochie behind a large slingblade and my partner went with a stacked bead spinner behind a dodger. We trolled around the north side of Mercer Island all the way to Faben point without even so much as a takedown. I then switched out my gear in favor of a Brad's Mini Cutplug, loaded with pike minnow, and fished it 5' off the bottom in waters 20' to 60' deep. This proved to be the ticket as we ended up bringing 7 fish to the boat, all on Mini Cut plugs, fished right on the deck and retracing our path. I ended up with the big fish of the day, which measured out at 21” and weighed in at 4lbs 2oz, a true pig for this time of the year. We both kept a fish and released the rest.

After opening up the large cutt, it was easy to see the effects the early and large algae boom has had on the lake's inhabitants. I can't recall ever seeing any larger stickelbacks in my life, and this fish had 10+ of them in its stomach. It will be a hoot to see what these fish weigh in at come derby time in June.


Comments

salmonbarry
3/28/2015 6:56:00 PM
Nice! Wow what a piggy!! Yea should be a good one this year!
urbanangler
3/28/2015 7:06:00 PM
That is one chunky trout. Looks like a Rufus Woods specimen.
natetreat
3/28/2015 10:24:00 PM
Nice! That's a cool looking fish.
RichieRich
3/29/2015 10:10:00 AM
Suuuuuweee,.....Calling for a Hog!!!!
Lingking
3/29/2015 3:23:00 PM
How are you rigging the brads? Did you replace the treble hook?
G-Man
3/29/2015 5:36:00 PM
I use a #2 sickle siwash hook with the mini cutplugs. First I attach a barrel swivel to the hook (be sure to heat the eye of the hook for 5 to 10 seconds before closing to prevent them from breaking) and then 4' to 5' of 12lb fluorocarbon leader to the other end of the swivel. Run a small bead down the line as a knot protector and then run it through the Brads. I use their roller swivel at the terminal end. One last tip, "the rubber bands" they supply with the minis are too big and have a tendency to fall off, especially when a fish is shaking the lure. Get some 1/8: ID colored latex tubing and cut small sections to use as bands. You can order it from Jann's Netcraft if you can't fond any at your local tackle supply store. As a bonus, you can buy colors that match or compliment your lure and they are uv reactive to boot!
mykee50
3/29/2015 10:41:00 PM
Does it matter what color Brad's you use? And where did you find pike minnow? Thanks, Mike
G-Man
3/30/2015 6:25:00 AM
My best producers are: Double Take, Honeydew and Mnt. Doo. Water Melon and Hot Pink also work well. Pike Minnow you'll need to catch yourself. In Lake Washington, spinners tipped with worm trolled slow and on/near the bottom work well.
hewesbob
3/30/2015 6:29:00 AM
Are you guys sure that's a cutthroat?
G-Man
3/30/2015 9:11:00 AM
100% sure. The pictures were taken after the fish had been bled, so the colors, including the throat slashes, are a bit washed out. Also the mouth was open, otherwise you'd see the jawline extending well past the eye. I haven't picked up a true rainbow while trolling in this lake for over a year.
N E 1 FISSION
3/31/2015 9:48:00 AM
BEAUTY!!
mykee50
4/9/2015 10:30:00 AM
Aw, pike minnow=squawfish, now I get it.... Thanks, Mike
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709