Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

My friend Daryl and I decided to do something a little different this weekend and head up to Lake Ontario to fish for the big kings that should be getting ready to stage soon. Made plans a little over a week ago to head up and fish Sat and Sun mornings. We were joined by Daryl's girlfriend Michelle and our friend Andy. However, as we got closer to the weekend the forecast was looking pretty bad. I began to wonder if we'd actually be able to fish. Friday came and there was no word of cancelling so we left NJ for the big lake.

Saturday August 13:

As soon as we arrived at the marina, we were hit with a sudden downpour. It moved fast, and soon we pushed off the dock and headed out. We got set up, and before we could get all the lines out one was screaming. Michelle had never caught a king, so she was on the rod. After a tough fight, the net was slipped under a big 24lb king, which was already beginning to look dark.

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We reset, and spent a little while dodging a massive thunderstorm that had rolled in. About an hour later, another rod went off. I grabbed the rod, and it was immediately evident that it was a much smaller fish. After a short fight, a steelhead was welcomed aboard.

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Not long after, we hooked another fish that screamed drag off the reel. Unfortunately, another boat was following us way too closely and the fish ran right into their gear and broke off. Ended the morning with Daryl and Michelle putting two more small kings in the boat (released the smaller fish) and headed back in under sunny skies and slick calm water. Spent the afternoon visiting the Salmon River Hatchery, which was pretty cool.

Sunday August 14:

We were not sure what to expect given a dismal morning forecast and some wind out of the west. As we got out onto the lake, there was considerable wind and chop. We made our way out, and began setting out the rods. Before we had all the rods out, one began screaming. I picked up the rod, and this was obviously a good fish. It was back and forth for a while, with the fish taking a lot of line. Soon, it appeared right behind the transom but the fight wasn't over yet.

The building seas and west wind made handling the boat very difficult. As the guide leadered the king and prepared to net the fish, the boat pitched and the fish wrapped the leader around the downrigger cable. In the scramble to grab the net, a lure got caught in it and rendered it unusable. To make matters worse, the fish was just barely hooked. Running out of options, it was only a matter of time before the leader frayed and broke or the hook pulled. Jumping into action, the guide reached over the transom, slipped his hand under the gill and yanked the salmon into the boat. After some very tense moments, the fish was in the boat. It was a big, beautiful dime-bright king salmon.

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We reset, and got slammed by a heavy downpour. As luck would have it, another king hit but the hook quickly pulled. Shortly after, Andy caught and released a nice rainbow. We continued to troll in the increasing wind and building seas for a while, but with the worsening conditions and lack of action we packed it in early and headed for the barn. Despite the weather and the fact that Fishing was a little slow, we still managed a nice mixed bag and had a great trip!

Some weather shots:

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Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

awesome fish man...once again, sorry i didn't come hahaha. instead i had to fish the hopatcong catfish contest i had already signed up for. they should just rename it bullhead contest haha.

again, awesome fish, congrats on another successful trip!

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

That fishery is one of the best around! Love it! Great trip JD! Used to do a couple of those a year on the Waterwolf! Good times except for the unpredictable weather! Haha, some of he biggest waves I've ever seen in person were on Lake O! Pretty nuts! Good looking SALMONOIDS and really nice Chromer!

How deep were you guys fishing and were you marking lots of schooling Salmon? The rivers are bone dry up that way! Well they were! Need some good rain to get the river fishery going!

Well done again TUNA MAN!!!:D

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Damn JD, great looking haul again!! That pic of you holding the king is awesome man!! Another stellar report!

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Awesome trip man!! def. on my bucket list.

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Massive fish! Congrats on the catch man!!

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

With so many trips under your belt JD you still manage to get another one off.

Looks like great time on water regardless of weather and some beautiful fish to make it even more enjoyable.

Great job once again.

Andre

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Awesome report report dude! Nice pics.

Kinda weather that makes AndyS VERY uneasy....trust me on this one...:p

Try shallow trolling for browns up there.....like nothing you've ever seen!

Who did you charter?

Love the lake troll, and the captains lingo on the VHF is even better!!

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Justin, Michelle and I had a great time with you and Andy .
We got some and we lost some, hey that's fishing!!!!!
Can't wait to go back again maybe a river trip, or one lake one River.
Catch you later :):)

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Always a pleasure my friend!

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Thanks man! Didn't pay attention to depth, but we were marking plenty of fish. Yeah, the rivers were definitely low. There was a little rainbow, but might not have been enough. Hopefully, they get more rain soon.

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

wow jd awesome fish especially that king well done.you da man:cool:great report thank you for sharing your experience.

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Duffman NAILED IT !! Out there with water spouts all around us, never again !!

Nice fish, August is the month when they are staging.

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

great trip jd,congrats to all.love the big lake for sure.

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Damn dude- great trip for everyone! Did u use a guide or trailer your boat?

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Fished with a guide. A lot of specialized gear in the fishery. And my boat is in saltwater lol.

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Talk about a well-rounded fisherman, very nice Justin! Excited to see where your next adventure brings you. SNJ Snakeheads perhaps??:p

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Very cool fish, looks like it was a fun trip despite the weather! What's the next adventure on the list?

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Tuna man justin at it again, heyyyy u gotta come up in oct- feb and play in the snow with me up there! Curious how deep were u fishing and anything at hatchery?

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Definitely man! Been wanting to do that. Not sure of the depth, but close in. Nothing at the hatchery...water was liw.

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

The Tuna continues to slay the dragon. Very Nice

Re: Lake O King Salmon, Steelhead and more (8/13/16-8/14/16)
 

Justin you keep on amazing us with your range of trips and success. Great lakes is an awesome fishery. Ontario has had some significant problems the last few years with kings and especially steelhead so it's good to see you connected with both. I believe you chartered with Shane, he's one of the best up there. Like Mikey Topaz said you'll have to give the river a shot this year post Columbus Day. If you hit it right and the fishery rebounds from the issues they've had the last few years, you can have some unbelievable days on the river. Beautiful king in the picture, congratulations on another great trip and thanks again for sharing your experience with everyone on the site.