Toronto Islands June 17 and 23

[curious_hook]

Hello everyone, First of all I would like to introduce myself since I just recently joined the forum. I live in Toronto and have been fishing for almost 3 years now. I didn't really get into lure fishing until last year( always used a worm with bobber before). Now, I have purchased all kinds of lures ranging from small jigs to big jerk baits. I mainly fish at a local pond. I have been reading past threads about fishing at the toronto islands lately. I have never caught a pike before so I thought the islands would be a good place to start for pike. I went there on Friday after June 17. The weather was fantastic. Walked straight down from the centre island ferry to the big channel in the middle of the island. As soon as I got there, I spotted a HUGE largemouth bass. Too bad it wasn't June 25th instead. Saw another smaller bass a few minutes later. I started fishing at 4pm and ended at 9pm. I got skunked. Not a single bite! I mainly used spinners and jerk baits. I was retrieving at medium speed non-stop. I also went yesterday afternoon (june 23). Started from the center island and made my to ward's island. It rained hard for a bit then stopped. Saw a bunch of carp. I also spotted a few pike. This time, I changed the retreiving style to a medium speed twich. I used a black fury and a bunch of different rapala jerk baits. Another 6 HOURS of no fish.. What am I doing wrong? I know that the pike are there... but they don't seem to bite my baits . I am thinking that its my retreive style. I would greatly appreciate it if you guys provide with me with some input. Perhaps if you can mention your most successful bait and retrieve style. Thanks

[jwm]

It sounds like you're doing everything right you changed up your speed and tactic. Did you try burning any lures past it really fast? Or dead sticking a rapala right in front of it? My best bait the last few years has been a rapala glidin rap at a moderate to fast retrieve, with lots of twitching, each twitch swings the lure back and forth but the lure only moves about 3" (towards me) or less per twitch giving me more action and time in the strike zone.

[curious_hook]

Hey jwn, I didn't get a chance to burn the bait. I tried dead sticking the bait right in front of it, but it ignored the bait and swam away. I will definitely try your way of retrieving next time. What kind of retrieve do you suggest for spoons and spinners?Thanks in advance.

[jwm]

I would say medium to fast, mind you I'm mostly fishing with a Quantum PT Burner 7.0:1 reel so my retrieve speeds are already pretty fast unless I really try to slow it down.

[evanxrs]

What colour's do you recommend for the Rapala Glidin Rap 12?

Also, question about the board. When I post a message on here, is it suppose to email me saying someone replied to the thread?

Cause it does not do that for me now.

[jwm]

I like the hot olive most I think, but I always buy one bright colour and one natural pattern when I get a new lure. The bluegil pattern they have looks fantastic.I don't think email updates for threads are automatic.

You may need to enable them in your profile, or you can do it on a per thread basis. Reply to this thread again and click 'Go Advanced' there you will see some thread specific subscription options, otherwise it will default to your profile settings.

[evanxrs]

Cool. All this helps. Im heading out on Lake Ontario for some King Salmon fishing with a guide on Friday. I'll post some pictures after.
Looking forward to it....

[jwm]

Cool. All this helps. Im heading out on Lake Ontario for some King Salmon fishing with a guide on Friday. I'll post some pictures after.
Looking forward to it....

Good luck!

[tangledline]

i have fished toronto islands for a few years....its urban fishing...there is not an abundance of fish...the fish are pressured...the enviromental factors of exposure to water contaminents from a large metropolis are at work ie road salt water run off...lots of boats..lots of foot traffic waterside...lots of construction waterside that affects the water clairity....
all things considered there is still great fishing to be had....
investment of time and effort for little or no return is a requirement in the learning process of urban fishing....learning the water terrain...fish habits...seasonal locations...weedbeds...baitfish locations....
the reason the pike were not hitting your lures at the islands on june 17 was that on june 15 there was a full moon that brought in the channels of the island millions and millions of baitfish..perch..alewife...mooneye...smelt..i have never seen them so thick in concentration and numbers...the baitfish were there june15 and 16....pike were well fed by june17 as well many continued to pursue the schools of baitfish as they travelled along the harbourfront.
so lunar cycles also messed with your june17 trip.
fishing is not catching it is the ongoing pursuit of knowledge about your prey and its enviroment and satisfying the needs of your prey at that moment in time.
you got to put in your time...and learn the patterns and habits and locations and enviro factors etc. and be patient yet hunger with passion and then you will be sucessfull.
the islands are a sanctuary...i love to fish them even if at the end of the day i am tired, cold and empty handed.

[curious_hook]

Lol Tangledline... I know you from OFF. I have read a lot of your reports (truly amazing reports). Thanks a lot for the input, I had no clue that there are lunar effects on the bites. You are right, I saw abundant of bait fish on that day. Did you go for any bass yet?