I never have enough money so love buying stuff on eBay. I can usually find pretty good deal on fishing supplies any time of year. Below is what I have found that is going in my tackle box so I can get those big bass, pickerel and of course anything else that will bite in our New Brunswick waters.

Bass And Pickerel Lures

Last year was a strange year and had the highest water levels I’ve ever seen. I found I lost a few too many of my lures and some weren’t even my own. So I have to replenish my fishing lures and with limited funds I like eBay for that.

Casey just ordered a boat load of red Senko style red worms we have come to love so much. By the way it was me that introduced them to Casey and Jamie. I remember doing so well with them before either owned any that Casey put a ban on red worms. Well until I shared some and then he was hooked.

Red 5 1/2” Worms

There used to be a supplier for the red worms we like so much but don’t find him any more, however after searching for a while I found two other worm types that are pretty much the same.

I love trolling motors. I even had one for my canoe and caught lots of big bass on Lake George, Harvey Lake. Even pickerel and trout from Cassidy Lake near Norton New Brunswick.

So today I’d like to share a bit about a specific fresh water trolling motors, the Minn Kota Endura C2 30 12V 30lb 30 Inch. Let’s look at some benefits along with a few features but it wouldn’t be complete without a look at any reported shortcomings of the Minn Kota Endura C2 30.

I don’t mind spending money on fishing related products but I also love getting a real good deal because it means I can usually buy more fishing related stuff. Those of us who are really serious about our fishing and who have a boat loving buying new things for it.

Christmas is getting so close and it’s the time I try to get my friends and family to think fishing when they think about what to buy me.

If you’ve had your mind set on a trolling motor you need to start giving the hints to your family. Wouldn’t it be nice to get the Minn Kota Endura C2 30?

Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Characteristics

Start sharing all the characteristics with your family so they know you’re excited about the Minn Kota Endura C2.

• 30 lbs of Thrust
• 30 Inch Shaft
• 5 Forward Speeds
• 3 Reverse Speeds
• Six Inch Telescoping Handle
• Lever Lock Bracket. A Mounting bracket that’s the strongest
• Runs Quietly so as not to disturb fish.
• Special composite materials resist flexing warping and UV damage.
• Indestructible composite shaft stronger than steel.
• Uses 12 volt Battery – not included.

Yeah the Minn Kota Endura C2 is a legendary performer built to explore, built to last and backed up with our two year warranty. It’s also designed specifically for boats that are small to medium in size.

This trolling motor has been designed for freshwater and is easily mounted using the lever lock bracket. To reduce friction as well as noise the Minn Kota Endura C2 has a ball bearing system that’s extremely smooth so it doesn’t scare off the fish.

Before I finally boat a trolling motor I used to curse the wind, a lot. Especially on Cassidy lake near Norton New Brunswick. The best fishing spot of course is the furthest spot from my vehicle. And of course once you get down in there the wind picks up and makes it tough for one person to paddle out of there. I usually ended up beaching the canoe and walking it along the shore line until I would get out of there. But it’s such a good fishing spot.

Image via Wikipedia

The first time I used my new trolling motor on Cassidy Lake I cruised right out there. Actually caught a couple more pickerel on the way out. When the wind is blowing in there you can’t stop paddling or you lose ground. With the my trolling motor I wasn’t cursing the wind or the the slightest bit exhausted from paddling.

The places we fish for bass, pickerel and trout require a trolling motor as most boat motors would never get to where we like to fish. Take a few minutes to check out the Minn Kota Endura C2 30 and I am sure you will have more productive days on the water.

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A Clear Bright But Chilly Morning on the Oromocto River New Brunswick

We saw a lot of fog on the water we passed on the way to Oromocto from Moncton and Hopewell Cape. The Saint John river was mostly hidden by the fog but the Oromocto didn’t have any fog, just a little mist about an inch or two above the water.

Blessed With A Great Day Weather Wise

We were fortunate to have a really nice day. It was a little nippy when we launched at 7am. I believe it was just 4 degrees but no wind, well until Casey opened up the motor and headed up river.

Sure glad I packed gloves, a toque and several layers of clothing with me so I was comfortable all day long. I was also glad I was sitting with my back to the bow of the boat when he took off as the breeze created was just a tad chilly on the face.

I think when Jamie and I were fish the Oromocto river on October 22 we took 3 roundabouts to get to the launch. Not sure how Casey got us to the same launch point with just one roundabout.

Okay Jamie what’s with the making us go around in circles so much.

The water was down even more than when Jamie and I were there last. and a few of the spots we were catching bass we actually dried up.

I Managed To Catch The First Pickerel

I have to say that I love it when I catch the first fish although it would be a nice gesture to let someone else get the first fish considering they had the boat and did all the driving. Thanks Casey.

I decided to start the day with a Red Devil as it had done me well on my last trip out. The last day out they were swallowing that thing, not just smacking at it.

Early on I turned a couple of what I thought were smallmouth bass but I’m never really sure until I see more of there body. They didn’t take, only looking I guess. Maybe I should have been retrieving a bit slower as the water temp was only 38C.

After a bit I caught the first pickerel of the day. This year the fishing was so hot and it was always a good feeling to get that first one so as not to be skunked, which we narrowly avoided with just 2 fish each for the entire day.

My first pickerel was about 20 inches but when Casey asked if I wanted a pictures I said no and released it, thinking we were going to get a whole lot more of them.

Casey wasn’t far behind. Soon after he landed his first pickerel of the day which was just a bit smaller than mine. How generous of him.

We didn’t have any further luck in the Oromocto but when we reached French lake we stopped in hooked our two biggest fish of the day. Mine was a 23 inch monster while Casey’s was just 22 inches, one inch shy of a monster.

All too soon it was time to go home so we headed back towards Oromocto and another year of fishing for myself has ended. I have lots of great memories and pictures to last the next six months while I get ready for next year. Thanks to both Casey and Jamie for getting me there.

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Can you tell by the image on the left that Jamie was having fun. I think he’s doing his happy dance. Heck I didn’t even know he could dance.

I was doing the happy dance in my head so as not to expend too much energy. I needed it for the rest of the day.

I will have to send this image to my sister in Newfoundland as Jamie, with his tougue covered ball cap, gum rubbers, rain gear and life vest on remind me a lot of her husband.

Picked The Oromocto Over The Saint John River

Fishing the Saint John river in a little canoe can be a bit nerve racking when a boat flies by at high speed or the wind picks up a bit too much making high waves. For that reason we decided the Oromocto river would be better.

Plus the Oromocto isn’t as wide and has a nice wall of trees on both sides to help with any wind that might come up.

It was nice to see the sun but then I was blind when I looked in that direction, which was the direction I was sitting, of course. So glad I didn’t have a hang over.

My glasses don’t get very dark so I just couldn’t look in that direction, so I was kinda glad when the clouds moved in front of the sun again.

The Sun Rise Lights The Forest

I am sure you’ll agree that the sun made the trees look awesome.

Let The Action Begin

Jamie didn’t wait for me to catch the first fish like he normally does. About 20 minutes after we started he switched from a firetiger pattern lure to a 5” green senko worm, wacky rigged.

A couple of casts to the structure along the shore and he had his first fish on, a couple minutes later he landed it. Of course I did a great job with Jamie’s rubber net.

A great start to the day and I guess it was okay, after all it was Jamie’s car and canoe and trolling motor and he was the one driving.

“Now you have the first, biggest and most fish, so far”

Not long after, maybe 10 minutes, I had my first strike and landed a somewhat smaller smallmouth using a #3 Silver & White Mepps with a skirt of white feathers.

I tried to show the Mepps in the image on the left but I think I hid it more than showed it.

Compared to a lot of our fishing season this was a great start to our day.

Actually it was a perfect in my books. NOT cold, NOT windy and the fish were active, who could ask for more.

The two best lures of the day for me were the Silver & White Mepps, and the Red Devils.

Just Trolling Along, La La Laaa

Jamie came prepared to fish all day from the canoe so he brought his trolling motor along. I would rather expend my energy fishing over paddling anyways. You can see the bracket that fastens the trolling motor to the canoe, so glad he has that.

If we were paddling we would never had made it so far up the Oromocto river and I would have been worn out long before the end of the day.

Jamie picked the right time to turn around and head back to the launch point. The trolling motor battery ran for almost 12 hours but about 15 minutes before we were back we could notice we were slowing down.

Jamie grabbed the paddle and helped the trolling motor along. About the distance I can throw a stone the battery died for the day.

If Jamie didn’t bring so much food and tackle I am sure the battery would have lasted all the way back. But then again he could have left me home to save energy. I better be quiet. Ha Ha

Jamie, How Are You Able To Fit In The Canoe?

Didn’t Produce A Single Strike Trolling

The majority of our fishing was casting into the trees, literally. However we did a fair amount of trolling throughout the day but never had a single strike trolling, not even a perch.

Strange that we would catch so many fish in the structure but not a single strike trolling.

Our Biggest Bass of The Day

Jamie started the day with the biggest, the first and the most but it didn’t take me long to catch up.

My biggest fattest smallmouth bass of the day, on the left, was all of 18 inches in length.

He jumped a number of times and each time I was sure I was going to lose it.

When the jumping failed to release the smallie Jamie did his best using the net but it still remained hooked. The hook did however fall out in Jamie’s rubber net.

Jamie’s biggest bass of the day was 16 inches and fought like it was at least 19”.

I went through a section of the river where I was catching pickerel after pickerel and one fat perch. The perch was a fat little guy and the pickerel were a respectable size. I have to thank Jamie for that though as he was catching all the little guys to keep them out of my way.

The biggest of the bass for the day did not come from the trees. Instead they came from the little inlets along the river, even if the inlet only went ten feet into the bank. I love casting to to those spots as I have caught my biggest bass and pickerel on those spots.

Near Sighted Pickerel

I was just about to close the post for today but then I remembered this one pickerel.

I was reeling in the Silver Mepps I was using and had it to a point I could see it near the surface. I could see a pickerel following it so I sped up the retrieve a little which of course caused the pickerel to speed up. But it sped so fast it over took the lure and swam right over top of it with it’s back out of the water. Maybe you had to be there but I thought it was the funniest thing.

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What a great year for fishing new locations. Thanks Casey.

Our last day of fishing took us to Colwells Wharf, Washamadoak lake and Otnabog lake, although once we were on the water I was completely lost.

The drive there was a bit wet as it rained from the time we left until we arrived and then the rain stopped leaving us with a perfect day for fishing.

Finding It Hard To Focus

Once the leaves begin changing colour in the fall, as they are doing right now, I get a little distracted from fishing. I just keep taking pictures to show Jenny when I get home. No wonder my neck hurts by the time we head back home.

We managed to catch some fish which is always nice on a day of fishing. Still not like we have in years past. I think there’s just too many places for the bass and pickerel to spread out making them a little tougher to catch.

One minute we’re fishing a channel and the next we are in the middle of a farmers field that’s been flooded with 3 feet of water.

Casey Makes It Look Easy

It didn’t take Casey long to get started. I think it was about 10 or 15 minutes from the launch and Casey had his first smallmouth bass on. Not a bad way to start the day with a fat little 13 inche smallie.

It looked like we just might have a day without the fear of getting skunked, at long last.

In the picture to the left Casey is politely asking his bass to tell all his friends we practice catch and release fishing. Then back in the water with him.

It wasn’t too long after than and Casey had another fish. This time it was a pickerel who thought he was a lot bigger than he turned out to be.

Then it was my turn but I didnt’ get a bass or a pickerel. But it was the first perch of the day. I also got the second perch of the day before catching anything else. I caught them on my little Rapala Countdown, perch pattern. Those little cannibals.

The fishing didn’t get to heavy but it was better than a few other days we were out fishing this year. The high water and dark stained colour hasn’t helped much.

We had a lot of action at Coles Island for a bit and then wind picked up and they shut down. It really was great to see the action pickup like that. I will definitely have get back to these spots Casey took me to, next year.

What beautiful pickerel water. I am sure there were thousands of pickerel in that area but the day light was running out and we had a long boat ride back to where we launched so we had to call it a day.

Huge Pickerel Opened Its Mouth Right Under My Bait

A bit earlier in the day I had an experience with a pickerel I have never had in all the years of fishing. And of course with the rod in my hands I didn’t have my camera ready.

It’s great fun bringing pickerel back to the boat and having them explode on baits. I’ve had a lot of soakings from my canoe and float tubes doing this but this pickerel was a bit different and may have happened a lot, I have just never seen it happen.

To start with the water clarity was just a few inches so I couldn’t even see my bait coming back to the boat unless it was at the top of the water.

We were in deeper water here, mabe 10 feet deep or so.

I was watching my baits pretty close so as not to pop one out of the water and smack Casey in the head.

On this one retrieve I had the lure come to just below the surface when I saw this huge mouth open up right under the bait. However at the same exact time I saw that huge mouth the pickerel saw me and was gone. Didn’t even touch the bait but it was still so cool to see.

I even tried to find an example of what I saw using Google images but couldn’t find one.

The Scenery Was Breath Taking

The deciduous trees around the shoreline were already changing colour and looked great, like I mentioned at the start so I thought I would add a couple of extra images of the scenery.

The trees around the water line were all changing to gorgeous colours yet the trees behind them, being protected, were still healthy greens.

We saw a couple of lighthouses, not sure if they are active but they looked pretty cool. The two below were directly across the lake from each other.

While Casey and I were heading toward Coles Island to a pickerel hotspot we saw a float plane and of course I wanted to get a picture.

As we got close I could see a couple of people around the plane, so I was kind of hoping it would be taking off.

Well, they weren’t taking off and had only just landed. Reminded me of a fly in fishing trip I was on a few years ago.

Another day of fun on the water ended all too soon but Casey took us out of there following the water. What a beautiful place to have a home, cottage or camp, heck even a tent would be special in this area.

The other day Casey had to go to Rothsay, New Brunswick to meet up with a guy interested in a boat motor Casey was selling. Casey thought it would be a great opportunity to try a new place and wondered if I was interested.

We were there early enough that we got to checkout a few places for fishing supplies where I bought a couple of new perch pattern lures. We finished shopping for the day and headed to Costco in Rothsay where Casey was to meet the buyer.

There was a lot of fog but even so we were able to see Costco perched up on the hill. We met up with the guy and even stayed and chatted with him for a while so as not to appear rude. However I am sure he knew we were going fishing as Casey had the boat and trailor on the back of his van, so the guy said he should let us get to it and we said our goodbyes adn hit the road.

We were on the water and ready to head out for a day of fishing Meenan Cove, before 11am I believe.

Casey's Ready To Go, Don't Leave Without Me!!

The fog had lifted so that it was well above our heads but was still so thick it almost made it appear like it was dusk, yet it wasn’t even noon yet. There was no one else on the water that we could see. Lots of boat but they were all secured and empty.

I was blown away by the shore line and how huge the cliffs were. I think I was spending more time taking pictures than actually fishing. I would have to say that Meenan Cove is the most beautiful place I have ever fished.

Here is a shot that reminded me of some Asian images I have seen of mountains and hills in the distance.

Meenans Cove Scenery

We didn’t catch a lot of fish even though we saw a lot on the fishfinder. They just didn’t seem interested in what we were offering them. I went with the expectations of a wild day of fishing as it usually is in the late summer, early fall. We have been to enough places this year and had good days and not so good days, in the same places.

For that reason I won’t cross this place off my list. The potential is definitely there and we saw so much great water and weed areas. Definitely have to return and give it another try.

My wife, Jenny, is not a fisher, although when we first met she gave it her best shot, she just doesn’t have the fishing gene I guess. Anyways when I got home and showed her all the pictures I took at Meenans Cove she wanted to go there, just for the scenery.

A Foggy Day of Fishing At Meenans Cove Today

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Well I’d say Casey is looking pretty pleased with himself after landing this huge 45”. 38 1/2 lbs striped bass on Sunday September 10, 2011. I would love to have been there with my video camera.

Congrats to Casey

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But I received an email from Casey yesterday saying he had gone fishing with a fishing buddy, back to the Oromocto river and had a pretty good day.

Here’s his email:

—–

Fished the Oromocto river on Sunday with a buddy in his boat.

He caught 17 bass and lost 4 or 5 big ones that broke his line or got off tail walking. Several were in the 17 ” range and hardly any under 12′.

I caught 18 fish, 6 or 7 bass,  15″ was the biggest. Caught several pickeral, a few chubby chubs and a couple of perch.

Was using white spinnerbait and that yellow mepps spinner.

It was a great day compared to the week before when I got skunked.

The other 2 guys fishing with us had 40 some fish, not sure of types, but lots of big bass. They went a bit further up river than we did. All fish were caught casting to shore under trees and along weed lines.

———-

Glad Casey had a better trip than his last one. It always sucks to get skunked.

I like casting to the shoreline cover. Used to use a lot of jigs fishing the structure. I also have those days I get caught up a lot but you can get some of the biggest bass out of those spots.

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The catfish was able to get the ball in it’s mouth but then it couldn’t swallow it and then it couldn’t spit it out either.

Every time the poor catfish would try to dive under the water it just bobbed back to the surface. It was pretty much exhausted by the time a guy and his wife found it and rescued it by deflating the soccer ball and removing it.

That story reminded me of a day I was fishing pickerel at Redbank New Brunswick from my float tube. No a pickerel didn’t try to swallow my float tube.

It was a very hot extremely calm day, not a breeze blowing at all…

Peter Pickerel Stole My New Popper

I love fishing the weeds for pickerel and bass. I get some explosive action but then sometimes I like to cast poppers when there is no wind and calm water. Those can be very special times.

I like to cast it out from the float tube and let it sit for a minute or two while the ripples die down, that’s if it doesn’t get smacked as soon as it hits the water, which happens so often.

I made my cast and as soon as it hit the water a pickerel smacked it and it was gone and so was my steel leader and brand new popper.

I swear some of those pickerel need glasses, especially this one. He would have had to miss my lure by at least a foot or more to bite through my line.

I sat there in disbelief for a minute, but I got over it quickly and was back to fishing the weeds for a bit.

The thing about fishing from a float tube is that you don’t go very far very fast so I was still fishing the same area when I noticed a flash in the water. It was far too bright for a fish turning so I moved closer to see what it was but I couldn’t see it.

A minute or two later I saw it again but this time it was closer to me and I could see it was my popper. The pickerel must have spit it out, cool.

When I moved closer it disappeared again, it was still in the pickerel’s mouth and when I got close it would dive but the floating lure would bring it back to the surface as soon as it relaxed.

I had a plastic worm on so I quickly put on another popper and cast over the pickerel and let it sit there until the pickerel surfaced again and then I slowly retrieved my popper. Once I reach the other popper I gave a quick yank on the rod and hooked the popper.

I was able retrieved them both poppers as well as the pickerel. I’ll be he was glad to have the popper out of it’s mouth and was no worse for ware when I released him back to the weeds.

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Thursday morning Casey and I hit the road for another day of fishing. We went to Oromocto, New Brunswick which was another first for me.

We turned down toward the launch near Phil’s Auto & Recreation, where we stopped to look at all the bass supplies and of course a few boats. On the way out that is, but first we fished.

The boat launch was pretty good, well I haven’t launched a lot of boats but I would say this is one of the better launches I have seen.

I took a few pictures, such a perfect start to the day. You can even see a little mist on the water and the sky is clear.

There was no one around but us and the birds.

A few minutes later, boat check done and we were on the water.

Turned out to be a tough day of fishing. But even a tough day of fishing is better than staying home.

I managed to get a bass on and brought it all the way back to the boat and let it get off two inches from my fingers. Go figure. Casey asked if I wanted him to net it and as it was all that big I said no thanks. Again, go figure.

After the rain we had Tuesday and part of Wednesday the water was pretty discoloured but get a little better as the day moved on.

We tried the Oromocto river for a few hours but the water was so dark the lure disappeared after about a foot. We also tried some noisy baits but nothing seem to work. So, we headed back out. It took use a few hours to fish our way into the river but less than 15 for Casey to get us back to the main river.

When we went in the Oromocto river it was quite and calm like glass. I thought it would make for a nice picture.

As you can see there wasn’t much going on as far as clouds. It didn’t change much but at one point we had a cloud move in front of the sun and it felt like the temperature dropped 10 degrees.

It felt so good I had to take a picture of it. I think we got about 5 minutes of shade.

All too soon the cloud was gone and the sun was right back on us.

Now even though it sounds like I am complaining notice I never once asked to go home. That’s why I bring so much water with me.

Eventually we started getting a few strikes and I hooked into another smallie. This time I didn’t refuse Casey’s help with the net. This one didn’t get away.

Casey took a picture and thought he should get closer to be sure y’all could see it. Smart ass isn’t he?

I lost about 2 pounds from sweating to catch that fish and I wanted proof.

Casey didn’t wait long before he landed his first smallmouth bass. They were few and far between this day. I think they were way back in the bush looking for some relief from the sun. We were sure feeling the heat.

We caught a few more bass and I got a couple of perch. One perch was about the biggest perch I’ve ever caught. That’s not saying it was huge, just the biggest I’ve caught.

At one point I thought I was in Bethlehem as I saw a donkey walking along the water’s edge.

We didn’t have any Lama sightings but the donkey started rolling in the sand and kicking it’s feet up in the air.

Looked kinda like that Lama Jamie and I saw while it was doing that.

Every once in a while a plane would come out of nowhere it seem. I haven’t fished much where there is an airport within spitting distance.

At one point we saw 4 helicopters heading straight towards us and then right over our heads. We were kinda hoping they would let us know where the fish were hiding but they kept going.

They made some noise which reminded me of fishing from my canoe on a lake in the Renous area. I think it was called Mitchell lake.

It was so quiet back in there you could hear a mosquito fart. Well all of a sudden I heard or felt this rumbling and then 3 jets flew over the water and scared the shit out of me, well pretty close.

I was sure I could feel the canoe moving.

We see all kinds of birds bald eagles, hawks, kingfishers and quite a few osprey but I can never get a good picture. So as usually I tried to get a picture and got closer than most but it’s still a ways away.

I’m not up on my birds but think it’s a young eagle.

So we saw a lot of water, a lot of sites, got some sun, drank a lot of water and caught a few fish. Not a record setting day of fishing but still always fun to be out on the water with a friend.

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