motor mooching

[Spring Drifter]

I know that motor mooching (you know -- cut-plugging at a really slow speed) is a dying art and usually practiced, for the most part, by old farts like me but surely there should be a few diehards around that would like to share some lie... stories about the "Good Old Days" and perhaps get together for some serious fishin'--- say Port Renfrew this summer (before it's totally fished out).
Spring Drifter

 

[happy hooker]

I have been QCL and Hakai 5 times and it seems like everyone up at both places pretty much only power mooches. You never see anyone doing it down south on the island or vancouver, sure is a great way to fish. Troll along, get a hit and frantically strip off a few pulls of line to flutter and slow the bait and 8 times out of 10 get hooked up. Cant wait to get up north again.

22' Hewescraft Searunner

 

[fishin_magician]

It's still done by a few people. The thing is that as the numbers of fish decline and bait schools decline, trolling is a much more effective way to fish. In the northern Charlottes, many lodges now use downriggers as standard equipment when the fishing slows..and in the "off" years you have to fish deeper and more consistently than before to be successful.

I've power mooched around Vancouver quite a bit in recent years--however the last time was 3 summers ago.., the cut plug herring expense is high, and it does work, but you have to pick the time of year to maximize your success.

People in the "slot" at the Cap Mouth were none too pleased and we got plenty of dirty looks, but it's fun playing a fish with nothing but an 8 oz ball in between you and the fish. The same week we power mooched off Pt. Grey but the fish had moved and we didn't get any that day...even after switching to trolling with our riggers.

For my money,there are just 6 weeks of the year around Vancouver I would power mooch with cut plug and I'd expect the trollers to catch more than me on 90% of the trips unless the fish are in there thick. Last August when the fish were in thick of Pt. Grey, one boat was cut plugging with weights and they got 2 of their 3 Springs on weighted rods. Those are the ideal times to use Cut Plug, it's simple, easy, and in those situations, cut plugging will open the proverbial can of "whoop butt" on trollers.

 

[The Fish Assassin]

I do a similar idea, but with my downriggers, I just troll around a huge azz piece of herring, no flasher. It might take 2-3 days for it to "go off" but when it does I know it'll be a dandy! I've caught more 40+ fish in the last 5 years with this style than I have trolling anchovie.

Take only what you need.

 

[fishin_magician]

quote:Originally posted by The Jackel



it's simple, easy,

Well if it so simple and easy why don't more of you do it then?[:0]

www.heavyhaulerfishingcharters.com

>&lt)))">

I'd rather catch more fish by trolling with gear or 'chovies! You can also use the wire trick with Chovies where as with herring you wouldn't.

In August there's plenty of jellyfish around and the fish move around quite a bit in the area so the extra speed helps--and an extra couple of Chovies adds value. A pack of 10 Anchovies is $6, whereas a pack of 8 large Rhys Davis is the same. T

I can cut a plug and thread the hooks through it faster than setting up a 'Chovy in a teaser head, checking the roll, etc.

Like I say, just 6 weeks a year when I'd even consider it locally..and when the fish are on the move through the area and factoring in Vancouver tides, mooching is now less productive.

My dad on the other hand remembers when the fish were so plentiful that cut plugs demolished the trolling sporties in Vancouver. Unfortunately for me, most of my fishing efforts are concentrated in the Vancouver Saltchuck and Cut Plugging no longer makes good "fishing sense".

 

[spring time]

I remember active fishing pass as a kid and there use to be 100 boats all cut plugging it was a hoot. there was boats getting in front of ferries. and everyone had courtesy if you got a fish on and it crossed another persons line they would have no problem cutting there line and like wise. know it seems no one has courtesy any more. a the good old days, the problem is i'm not that old

 

[Derby]

Yes,
Miss the days of dodging B.C. Ferries in Active Pass & ripping lips on the EDD tide in Polier Pass.To bad that fishery dis appeared by the early 1990's. It was to much fun having a eer in the Pub in Miners Bay
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