Snagging Spoonbil (Paddlefish)


maddhunter

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The spoonbil are running and my son and I are haveing a blast!!!!

So far we have two 35 pounders and one 50 pounder.

Man those things can put up a fight smile.gifsmile.gif

My son(Cole) hung a nice fish this morning but it got off before we could land it. It was his first and boy was he pumped smile.gif

Is there any other Okies doing any snagging?????

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Re: Snagging Spoonbil (Paddlefish)

I'll try and get some pics of the next one's. Wasn't even thinking of takeing pics since we usually catch quite a few every year. We are allowed 1 a day all year long. This is thier spawning season. And with all the rain we are getting they are running up the rivers to spawn.

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Re: Snagging Spoonbil (Paddlefish)

I havent been in a couple of years. We use to go all the time. Are you fishing at the low water? Ive heard they are slaying them out there. I havent been fishing at all this year! It stinks. Ive already missed they sandies.

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Re: Snagging Spoonbil (Paddlefish)

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Sounds fun !!Here in LA they will put you under the jail if you are caught with a spoonbill !!!!!! mad.gifmad.gif

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I think they are protected in Ohio too. confused.gif

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yup, they're a protected species here, I think the only place we have them is the Ohio River.

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Re: Snagging Spoonbil (Paddlefish)

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I havent been in a couple of years. We use to go all the time. Are you fishing at the low water? Ive heard they are slaying them out there. I havent been fishing at all this year! It stinks. Ive already missed they sandies.

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Jeramie, We've been fishing below Grand.

Never new spoonbil were a protected fish anywhere, nor gar confused.gif

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Re: Snagging Spoonbil (Paddlefish)

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How much meat do you get off of them??

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Tons. Im not sure by the LB. They have no bones Jason. They have one line of Cartlidge down their backs. What you have to do us gut them. Then you cut around their tail but be careful not to cut the cartlidge. Twist the tail until the cartlidge breaks loose up their back. Then pull it out. After that all you have to do it cut it into steaks, the total length of the fish. All of the meat you lose is their intestinal pouch and the tail.

If youre like me you cut the yellow out of the meat so you lose some there. Basically they are all meat.

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Re: Snagging Spoonbil (Paddlefish)

Usually they have to be running water out of the dam. The spoonbill swim upstream to spawn. All you have to do is find out how far upstream they are. You can even snag 100yds from the dam or so. They will be scattered across the river/ lake.

Using a surf rod and some pretty heavy line, I use 50lb because I can still get some distance versus using really heavy and not getting out there, you tie on a treble hook and about 24"-30" below you tie on a 4oz - 5oz sinker.

Toss it out there and let it sink for a second. At that much weight it doesnt take long. Then you tighten the line and start ripping it through the water. After a long strong pull you have to real down. So its like yank way back and real it back down to keep the line tight. Eventually it will fell like you hit a brick wall. Keep the line tight. If youre hung youll know it but if you hit a fish it will immediately take off downstream and the fight is on.

It sounds like winning the lotto but when they are spawning its nothing to snag one in roughly 10 throws. Its is a blast. When they swim downstream youd swear you hung into a bus....

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