There are many magical times of the year to angle trophy Northern Pike, but this segment of the summer just so happens to be my personal favorite of all seasonal patterns to target toothy critters. The weed-bed-bite is an animal all of it's own, highlighted by the search for thriving cabbage and coon tail beds, where the local big girls lye in await of unknowing prey. Any given cast has the potential to reveal the biggest fish of the season as Northerns actively seek forage in an attempt to put on as much girth as possible before the winter arrives. The Becker Group is no stranger to the trophy Northern hunt and with twelve trophies being revealed during their four day stay here at Utik Lake, I'd say they did OK!
Pictured above is an absolute specimen of a gator that Rick and I angled on the second day of the groups hunt. All 45 inches of Northern freight train dropped the pedal to the metal in an all-out MAN VS FISH BRAWL! Rick slammed his UV blue/white/and silver, Doctor spoon into the corner of the body-building gators jaw and the fight was ON! At first glance, we weren't sure what was in store, as the fish swam directly towards the boat; BUT, as tension gathered and the rod began to double up, we knew we the stakes were high!
With my trophy basket in hand, she rushed the boat and took an epic dive under the bow and directly into the thickest cabbage bed she could find. LEAN OVER THE BOAT!!! (I said calmly) Rick did an all star job of keeping his line off the boat while navigating his rod towards and around the front the bow. After another spectacular run she approached the boat but a single glance at our Lund Pro Guide sent her screaming into cabbage country once again!
This time she chose to scream down and under the back of the boat! Rick kept his cool and was able to dance his way around the stern of our boat in a ballerina like fashion, revealing this Utik Lake leviathan. Simply put, most fisherman would have lost this fish…. MAD RESPECT.
With my trophy basket in hand, she rushed the boat and took an epic dive under the bow and directly into the thickest cabbage bed she could find. LEAN OVER THE BOAT!!! (I said calmly) Rick did an all star job of keeping his line off the boat while navigating his rod towards and around the front the bow. After another spectacular run she approached the boat but a single glance at our Lund Pro Guide sent her screaming into cabbage country once again!
This time she chose to scream down and under the back of the boat! Rick kept his cool and was able to dance his way around the stern of our boat in a ballerina like fashion, revealing this Utik Lake leviathan. Simply put, most fisherman would have lost this fish…. MAD RESPECT.
Next in line, we have Jimmy with his all star trophy 43 inch hog which was also caught on a UV blue/white/ and silver, Doctor spoon. We dissected a piece of structure highlighted by pencil reeds which ran adjacent to a cabbage and coon tail bed in ten feet of water. This particular weed bed is located very close in relation to a deeper basin of the lake where giant Northern pike can easily venture into cooler waters, returning to the beds for feeding periods. We didn't catch a million fish that morning but Jimmy's hog was a true specimen of both beauty and girth. With a head like a 56 Cheverolet Impala, there really ins't much that a fish like this can't eat! BOOOOOO YEAH JIMMY!
Tay Tay and Rick had an amazing time together during our day on the water and this picture exemplifies the positive energy that these two can't help but emit! Rick continued his gator catching clinic as he angled this beautiful 41.5 inch trophy in one of Utik Lake's largest weed bed bay's. This particular big girl took a yellow and black MG spinner-bait tipped with a white twister tail and dual copper colorado blades. This fish took two great runs before surrendering for a quick picture, including a nail biting dive into a giant clump of cabbage from which Rick skillfully pulled her free. PHEW!
Last but not least on the trophy train for my boat was Peter, with his amazingly thick 41.5 inch trophy! Three days of heavy winds kept us catching trophies close to the lodge so the guys were all excited to try their hand at some Western basin Utik Lake trophies. Yet again, this beast nailed our UV blue/white/ and silver, Doctor spoon while fishing an expansive cabbage and coon tail bed which is located in relation to the Albright river section of the lake. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, and wow… what a beautiful fish!!!
Four days can feel like a blink of an eye up here and the Becker's trip was no exception to the rule. On top of the big fish, this group was full of happy, positive, and energetic characters that made them an exceptionally fun group of people to fish beside. A special thanks to Barry for co-ordinating the trip and to big Frank for making it happen! We look forward to doing it again soon!