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7/12/08: 1000 Islands recap
I really enjoy going to the 1000 Islands. The place is beautiful, the water is extremely clear and the fishing can be outstanding. Friday I practiced with a buddy about a 15 minute run up the river from French Creek Marina. It was nice to get out on the water, but the fishing was a little disappointing. I threw topwaters, tubes, stickbaits, jigs, and even dropshotted. In the end I manage five fish, but they were all "rats".
For tournament day I drew-out with John "Sarge" Hahn (more about John later). John said he had fish, all largemouths, but we would have to pick and poke through them to come up with a decent bag - fair enough; it could be worse.
After the Nation Anthem and our boat number was called we hammered up the St. Lawrence River in John's Ranger 520VX and pulled up on a relatively shallow, tapering point covered in grass. I began throwing a Texas-rigged Yum Dinger in Green Pumpkin Neon. On my second cast I put a keeper in the box. A few casts later - another keeper. In the first hour of fishing I had a limit in the box and began to cull shortly after that. I don't know if John was being nice or just in guide mode, but he left the area wide open for me. After I put on a quick clinic from the back deck he tightened-up and put on his game face. He never back-boated me, but I could always tell when we were getting to a high percentage area.
Throughout the day, we fished a number of spots through Lake of the Isles, Alexandria Bay and back down to Clayton, all the while catching fish and picking through our livewells. Right before leaving to check-in I made one last cast with a Texas-rigged Tube X and boated a good smallie to cull out my last 'rat' of a largemouth - awesome.
I probably caught three limits and culled at least 6 times during the day - we just didn't get the big bites we needed. I did have a real nice largemouth jump off first thing in the morning. I don't think it would have put me in the money, but it would have helped a lot. At the end of the day I managed an 8lb 3oz bag and a 33rd place finish which moved me up to 21st in the points, so all in all it was pretty good.
John "Sarge" Hahn has a guide service in the 1000 Islands and also builds custom bucktail jigs. If you are looking for a great day of fishing on a beautiful body of water give him a call - you will not be disappointed.
Sarge Tackle
John "Sarge" Hahn
607-797-9138
e-mail: jhahn001@stny.rr.com
visit my website at www.hardkorefishing.com
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