Strange observation about squawfish

[Adam Grace]

I fished another smallie creek today and had fun like always.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP2677.jpg

Yet this trip I found myself targeting squawfish halfway through my trip due to their power, size, and abundance.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP2676.jpg

Below is one of my larger squawfish, yet I know that there are plenty of other larger squawfish in this creek, sorry for the bad picture.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP2678.jpg

The squawfish were fighting harder than the smaller-sized smallmouths, so I decided to target them with smaller flies using a slow swinging method that worked like a charm. I felt like I was fishing for picky trout, due to the picky nature of these skittish squawfish and their soft grabs. The majority of the squawfish fought really well , going crazy as soon as they were hooked and taking out line like a trophy gamefish.

Have you guys found yourself targeting squawfish also?

[matt johnson]

Hey Adam,

I like them! Especially big ones on topwater. Explosive! Definitely an underrated gamefish in the central valley. Too bad that they have flabby muscles and can't pull hard.

I can't tell for sure, but the fish in the middle picture looks like a Hardhead to me. Hardhead are also a native Cyprinid. They occupy a little different niche. Hardheads due fight well. Next time you are on your creek, take a close look at the mouth of your fish. If the lip margin is entire its a pike-minnow. If the top lip is not entire and instead ends in a little point or "frenum", its a Hardhead. Keep enjoying California's native Cyprinids! Matt.

[matt johnson]

Your right Tristan, looks like Adam is onto some dandy Hardheads there.

Keep getting the big ones Adam!

It would be cool if you could post a frontal nose shot of one of those beauties. That way us fish geeks could see if that cute little frenum is there or not. Matt.

[Adam Grace]

Okay "fish geeks", I'll take some fish porn pictures for you next time. :lol: Maybe I could even get one of you fish geeks to come join me sometime soon.

[MSP]

Have you guys found yourself targeting squawfish also?


No.

[Adam Grace]

I'll turn you towards the darkside Mike...oh yes the DARKSIDE :lol:

I am not saying that I will be driving multiple hours to go catch some squawfish or hardheads but when fishing water that already contains them, I suggest that you give them a try, use trout nymphs.

[jbird]

I have found that if you dry their skin with a quick wipe with a rag, you can throw a pretty clean spirall with them. If you attempt this without wiping the slime off, it usually just becomes a fumble :D

J

[Darian]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Ed Wahl]

Just had to revive this thread. I fished Cache Creek this afternoon up above Rumsey. This time of year it's small water, easily wadeable. Could'nt find any smallies but got on some squawfish that didn't act like squawfish, must be the fabled "hardhead". They were as picky as any trout, only taking small(16 and 18) dries. When I stuck 'em they jumped and ran like trout :shock:. I fished them 'til dark, what a blast. Oh yeah, they don't stink up your hands like squawfish either. Saw one little smallie, a few giant carp, and that was about it. Ed

[Mike Churchill]

Ed,

What was the water temperature like up there? Were you able to wade wet?

By the way, what was the hot fly?

[Ed Wahl]

Hi Mike, I didn't carry a thermometer but the water was cold, trout cold. Believe it or not the hot fly was a size 16 olive spotlight emerger. I had 2 stuck in the foam patch of my vest, lost them both but managed to find the last one in the nasty tree that stole it. Ed

[erhetta]

I hate those thieving trees....

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Terry Thomas]

Thanks Tristan. Very interesting and informative when you can see both fish side by side.
Terrly

[Ed Wahl]

Much better educated now. Thanks Tristan. Ed