Smashing some smallies

[Christopheraaron]

The original plan was to go out to the Tweed/Bancroft area for a few days with another member, but he got called into work last minute and had to cancel. The problem with that is that I hadn't booked anything, I was free to go wherever I wanted, so I started scouring maps (it's an addiction). Too much freedom can definitely be a bad thing, took me nearly 4 days (the last days we had leading up) to decide between Algonquin, Tweed, Kawarthas, Georgian bay, Erie, Huntsville, Simcoe, Trent, BOQ, Muskoka, you get the idea.

I finally decided on Massassauga, it had been on my to-do list for a couple years now and this would be the perfect time to at last try it. My dad's back wasn't in great shape at the time and neither was my arm so we decided to skip the canoe and go with a small boat rental. Because we had the boat we didn't hold back when packing, I think we brought 4 or 5 duffle bags, a cooler and a giant camera bag, as well as the usual sleeping bags, mats, fishing gear, and clothes.

Here's the view going out from the marina.

The run to our campsite.

Arrived at the site, set up the tent, gathered some wood and set off to finally fish some of this water!

The first small fish of the trip, on a 7" senko.

We were on fish right away, but nothing of any real size with the biggest probably at a couple pounds. After a good couple hours I did finally land a fish on my skitter walk, which I had been getting a lot of hits on, just not hooking up, my guess is 16-17".

My dad really out fished me the first night, but nothing very big was landed, despite having some giants on.

Camp sweet camp...

Getting the morning fire going to cook some eggs and bacon.

The next morning my dad got on the board quickly, with a fat little guy.

And then again.

Then it was my chance to show that I could still catch fish! With the biggest fish of the trip at a hair over 20", a PB for me.

Got a bunch more smaller guys at that spot, even had a few chasing the ones I was reeling in!

A litttle shore lunch.

With the camp site packed up we hit the water again, this time a little closer to the marina, and it payed off big time...

This fish could have been the big fish's twin, just a quarter inch shorter.

Then hit another at 19"

And one more little guy to cap off a great trip

A trip to remember for sure, we will definitely be back either early next year for pike or around this time for more smallies. If anyone is looking to rent a boat in the area we got ours from Moon Basin Marina, it's about a 15 minute run from Pete's place access point.

Thanks for reading!

-Chris

Edited October 1, 2013 by Christopher k

[Pigeontroller]

Fishing with your Dad, priceless...

[Sinker]

Those are some nice looking smallies!

[BillM]

Love the Massassauga area, especially this time of year. Zero boat traffic, great fishing and awesome views.. Fish are definitely putting the feedbag on!

[fishindevil]

Some nice looking bronze there Chris !!!! Looked like a great fishing/camping trip !!!! Tight-lines.

[solopaddler]

Nice report Chris, glad to see you got into a few.

[wormdunker]

Nice pix of fish & especially the scenery. Well done!

[MCTFisher9120]

Nice report and pictures Chris, what baits were catching all these smallies??? I saw a spinnerbait in one photo

 

Thanks for the report

 

MTBF

[Aaron Shirley]

Looks like a great trip up north!

[Christopheraaron]

Thanks guys! Mike, I threw the spinnerbait for a while but couldn't get anything, same with the jerkbaits. I had one on the walk the dog bait, one on a wake bait and all the others (including big ones) were on the old wacky rig

[2 tone z71]

Great looking pics...Nice Bass .... that fire by the shore and bacon and eggs made my mouth water lol....nicely done

[Christopheraaron]

I forgot to mention, and my dad can back me up on this. Before each of the bigger fish I first ate a banana, then, rubbed the peel on the senko, and finally washed the banana in the water, within the next 3 casts I had a fish every time

[MJL]

Nicely done Chris

[Tim Mills]

Nicely done Chris enjoyed the report.

[Musky or Specks]

The Mass is a great spot. Boat to camping is the same as car camping ,you can bring as much comfort as you want. My son and I use to stay in Port Rawson Bay and the Pike and Bass fishing was always great. Those are some nice fish Chris glad to see you and your Dad got into some

[4x4bassin]

Nice smallies you got there CK , looks like you guys had a great time .

[lookinforwalleye]

Nice smallies...and camping/ fishing with your dad is priceless!!!!....you need a haircut!!!! LOL

[Freshtrax]

Nice fish man!

[Cudz]

very nice

[Woodsman]

Looks like a great trip. Smallie's can be quite fun.

Last week we fished theTemigami area & caught lot's of them but the average was smaller although I caught my personal best at 21".

[Propwash]

Love the Mass. Nice camping, lots of good fishing water. Got my pb muskie there. Good outfitters too - a couple on the South end on Arnold's Bay cheaper than the marina. I've had a harder time in the spring there than in summer/fall. Good report. Thanks.

[Rod Caster]

great stuff! That's the kind of trip that makes you hungry for more!

[Speedbird]

Sweet post!

I read the story about your camping trip with your pops to the Massassauga PP, Christopher I'm really interested as I'd like to organize a trip with my dad as well, and the spot and driving distance seem perfect.

I was wondering which marina you guys launched from and what site you guys booked? I've never fished in the Park before but have heard nothing but great things about it. It's just a little intimidating to book something with no idea what awaits when you finally show up...We did Spider Lake at Oastler Park about 4 years ago and while the lake was beautiful, they didn't allow motorboats and three days in the canoe for minimal fish isn't something we're looking to try again...

Cheers!

Cheers,

Yan

[SuperDave]

Don't forget to ask about bears. Had one destroy my campsite there a few years back. Great place to camp and fish otherwise.

[Jigster]

The moon is an incredible mulispecies fishery. these pics were from near moon basin a few years ago. Lots of scrappy catfish and i've seen some huge gar and esox there... Can you guys enlighten me I thought smallies were off limits till the end of june in both zones 14 and 15?