Catching the Most DANGEROUS Fish for Salmon and Steelhead

[@KainOutdoors]

Pikeminnow are native fish but are usually overpopulated because no one targets them for food and they thrive around manmade structure like dams. Because they are a main predator of salmon and steelhead smolts they are encouraged to be culled in some areas if if you think they are overpopulated. The one the size you released could eat several smolts per day.

[@DieHardFishing]

Thanks for the info!

[@BradtheButcher1234]

@@KainOutdoors trout over trash......pike minnow don't need to be eliminated but definitely culled ....especially if there is a hatchery or smolt stocking

[@NickFish007]

Thanks for trying a new lake out with me Adam! Tough day but no skunk

[@DieHardFishing]

For sure! Lets get back out again soon.

[@Z-Bart]

When my grandpa was still around we took him fishing on Lake Superior. Early in our adventure he says, "Oh, look at dat von jump." Heavy German accent. My dad said, "That's because it's on your lure." Coho salmon. Good times.

[@fishbustin7926]

That’s a loud motor. 😂

[@DieHardFishing]

Yeah, I'm working on a fix for that. Apologies!

[@johnf7847]

I fish for trout on down riggers a fair amount.. got to put the rod where you can watch it constantly and maybe use longer cables on your DR clips. Longer cable telegraphs the strike a lot better. Love your channel. Cheers!

[@DieHardFishing]

Good point! I'll keep that in mind! Thanks!

[@JEM133]

Very nice smallie.

[@thecalfisher]

Pikeminnow are native to California. The only places they aren’t are the eel river, and stripers and bass do more to salmon and steelhead than pikeminnows.

[@investigativeoutcomes9343]

stripers have destroyed our fishery and they are toxic, salmon are short lived and the cleanest fish in the ocean. if you ask me bringing stripers to our coast was sabotage!

[@Nigel_BC]

Preach!!

[@investigativeoutcomes9343]

stiper bad bully!

[@oneofthosepeople2101]

Maybe in southern California but the Pikeminnow is the salmon killer in Northern CA, Oregon, WA, and Canada.

[@Nigel_BC]

@@oneofthosepeople2101 They are native there too. The real salmon killers are habitat alteration and fragmentation. Predation by native predators have negligible effects on salmon populations. Don’t let dam companies trick you into thinking native fish are somehow bad for the ecosystem. The only exception is the eel river where Sacramento pikeminnow were introduced because people were using small ones as bait. In Oregon and Washington there are northern pikeminnow which are native to those areas as well.

[@jtf267]

Wow. It's been a long time since we've seen Nick, but i recognized his boat right away. I have no idea where you are. It did look cold. Thanks for another great video.

[@danlewis6157]

What you called a squawfish is properly called a Sacramento pike-minnow. A native fish in the minnow/cyprinid/carp family. The bass and crappie you were catching are the introduced species.

[@RippieFarmer]

The Sacramento pike minnow is a native California species, that's correct. However, they did not exist outside the Sac River watershed, and the Kern River watershed until the 70s. That means they are invasive outside their native watershed. Leaning theory is fishermen catching them, transporting for use as live bait, and accidently or intentionally releasing them into watersheds that they don't belong in.

[@thecalfisher]

@@RippieFarmer Yes, but Berryessa is on Putah Creek, which is a tributary to the Sacramento. They are native there and clearly don’t do anything to the massive trout population above or below the dam.

[@Leonard4fishing]

That guy was rocking the xwing kayak 😂

[@NickFish007]

😂😂

[@gbunton]

Good to see Nick out on the water it's been a while

[@NickFish007]

Thanks for supporting us! I miss you guys

[@JimNorkas-qx4nt]

Always enjoy his videos.

[@charliewade4595]

You need to try trolling wooly booger flys

[@davidtate2991]

Looks like lake berryessa my old stomping grounds so the channel where the bridge is called Pope valley creek

[@gunnarkohtz745]

I was thinking it looked like Berryessa

[@RippieFarmer]

I don't recall a bridge over Berryessa. I was thinking Lake Sonoma.

[@davidtate2991]

@@RippieFarmer theres actually two bridges that go over lake berryessa

[@jeffprenoveau4841]

Pike minnows are easy to catch. Use nigh crawlers with an orange corkie on the bottom in current or a shad looking crank bait.

[@DustinWaldie]

It’s a smallmouth bass. You can tell by the stations in the color pattern on the guild plate. A spotted bass looks like a largemouth just smaller.

[@DieHardFishing]

Thanks for the ID!

[@b-lopez394]

DHF, I would say, still a nice outing even though you didn't caught any trout👍. You caught 2 nice size crappie for a meal and different species of fish👍. Keep it coming.

[@DieHardFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@TiredAmerican247]

Pike minnows are native to California. Those crappie are better eating than most trout.

[@the_7th]

I've caught one at the DMC (Delta Mendota Canal) near Gustine. I was fishing with chicken liver and was surprised when I reeled up my rod. I know the lower Merced River is full of them, but this was an unexpected catch in a canal.

[@wiiwanna]

Crappie is too mushy for me

[@TiredAmerican247]

@ mushy??? Never heard of a mushy crappie.

[@wiiwanna]

@@TiredAmerican247 all of the ones i caught and cooked are mushy compared to every fish i eat. Ive cooked them different ways as well. Ive tried fish from different countries and continents and my dad used to own a fish market that sold alot of different types of fish.

[@bulldog2200]

@@wiiwannacrappie in colder water will change your mind

[@CrescentsFishing]

I think you should go for ocean perch or sharks if your on the ocean if your in freshwater you should try to go for carp or catfish ( love all the fishing videos and seeing all the different fish that you catch on the kayak how to see many more soon).

[@DieHardFishing]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@Marv2049]

This motor is a lot more noisy than the other Old Town !

[@DieHardFishing]

Yeah, I'm working on a fix for that. Apologies!

[@jayzee1968]

@@DieHardFishingSo how do you like this new ePDL132? Vs say the autoPilot. Btw is this ePDL motor really that loud or just a camera/mic placement issue? Or is there a problem with this copy of the motor/unit that came w this 132? Thanks

[@Kaitlyn871]

There is a fish alarm that hooks on to a rod holder and that i have found to be real nice. Just stick your rod behind you and lessen for the alarm to go off. That way you don't have to be looking backwards all the time. Griz from Wash. 😎

[@DieHardFishing]

Thanks for the tip!

[@larry5039]

Looks like berryessa

[@layz916]

Nice setup Kermit !!

[@DieHardFishing]

Thanks!😂

[@stevedyer5902]

Gentlemen, How far back do you like for the lures to run behind your boat when trolling for rainbow trout?

[@roylove276]

I use the same lures, Adam, fishing for Walleyes on Lake Erie in Michigan and Ohio waters nice catches😊

[@GymRat339]

That’s a meanmouth bass, spotted and smallmouth hybrid I believe.

[@theoldsurffisher1943]

Did I miss what you called the invasive fish??? Wow! that's a really productive lake with many species. I think the rock in the back ground is the one you fished off of and caught many of silvers. What sort of new catamaran is Nick running.

[@Stellarbaits]

I must of missed it too but someone brought up Pike Minnows. Maybe that is the culprit.

[@theoldsurffisher1943]

@@Stellarbaits Thanks for the reply!!

[@NickFish007]

Hobie Adventure Island!

[@theoldsurffisher1943]

@@NickFish007 Nick you haven't been posting? Anything recently at Coyote Point??

[@bwcok7947]

The super duper lures, joes flies, and J7 jointed rapala blue and white work great for trout.

[@roberthicks6395]

Needlefish Adam needlefish ..the best lure ever made for trolling for trout

[@BradtheButcher1234]

That and a 50/50 brass/silver dick nite.....between the needlefish and it honestly i tie the dick nite on.....at least 10 rainbows over 8 pounds, 2 over 11lbs

[@stevedyer5902]

What color patterns do you like for rainbows?

[@BradtheButcher1234]

@stevedyer5902 olive green wolly bugger with a little crystal f lash in the Body and tail.....with an orange glass bead head will catch more rainbows than almost anything PUMPKINHEAD......in micro or large for trolling

[@slickwilly4613]

Impressive setup and skill.

[@HenryFL1]

Why no PFD when you fish in a lake ? One is more likely to drown in fresh water due to lack of buoyancy .

[@DieHardFishing]

I still have one behind me

[@lauriebagg3618]

Saw some kayakers out of rio vista trolling for stripers last time out there , you might want to give that a try on a calm day

[@BIGGANT78]

Interesting color on that squawfish... never seen one so silver like that before.

[@lauriebagg3618]

That’s my favorite lake to fish also, the trout are up shallow this time of year even though the bait is deep👍

[@FishingWithJRome]

Definitely a come up with those crappies, in my opinion those are some of the best fish you can eat from a lake 🙌🏾

[@DieHardFishing]

I agree!

[@zking407]

Small mouth and a decent one. Much like those crappie, they love 20’+ clear water and a piece of structure.

[@BigShticks]

The Putah creek launch is open??? I thought only Steele park & Markley with inspection for golden mussels

[@aazuma88]

Solid smallmouth and largemouth. Crappie too. Go for more crappie and bluegill too sometime.

[@Doorditch]

I think that's a Pike minnow and a Small mouth there is a lot in New Melones, small mouth is good eating.

[@joesanchez6144]

Black or Blue catfish are rare now, but they taste delicious!

[@geryang9641]

I'd like to see you catch a limit of Kokanees, that should be interesting.

[@joesanchez6144]

Those fish put up a good fight! Lot’s of fun, especially if you can catch them at top of water. Don’t eat them - they taste bad!

[@FindersKeepers88]

Good, Thx

[@fishermansdream36]

I noticed it’s really hard when you’re trolling to pay attention to your rods because you’re doing a lot of other things just trolling and it hurts your neck turn around for so long just stare at your eye tips. I got two tips. I don’t have a kayak. This is what I always think when I see other people trolling either There is front kayak mouse for the rod so you could see the rods in front of you or you make some kind of rearview mirror that you can have in front of you by your GoPro, but that you could angle it to see both rod tips so you could always pay attention to your rod tips at all time Without having to turn around. so let me know if any of those ideas are helpful.👍

[@DieHardFishing]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@Wright6994]

Have you tried sturgeon on Shasta lake ?

[@DieHardFishing]

I have not!

[@moonlanding-69]

tip the hook/s with worm!

[@HazardousCliff]

Would love for you to target sand dabs for winter fishing

[@roylove276]

Smallmouth Adam, nice 1 as well😊

[@carplay5454]

fishing idea: instead of trying to catch a normal sized fish, try to catch the smallest of any species. sometimes ill throw a 1/32oz jig on my ultralight from the bank just to see what bites. i usually catch baby bass and striper.

[@user-wo7on7ml2x]

You should target a lake trout or lahontan Cutthroat trout. I've caught lake trout in Tahoe before but haven't caught a lahonton cutthroat trout yet.

[@jamessantiago9724]

Bluefin tuna from a kayak would be awesome to see

[@fngrusty42]

I really wish there was a KZbin when i was 20 to make a living fishing would have been wonderful. Sure hope you can do it. Good luck great video.

[@TheMadC]

Kinda like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. Nice Video, thanks for sharing.

[@pixwater]

That fish was a small mouth bass.

[@SilasMai-q4l]

I love your vids!!! I even have a shirt!

[@4theoutdooradventure]

Keep up the great content man love watching every video that you post very educational giving a lot of good pointers how to catch halibut I struggle here in there to catch halibut using hoochies and flashers down here in Huntington Beach California you have any pointers for what time is the day is high tide really the best time

[@DieHardFishing]

I appreciate that!

[@SimplePleasuresMTB]

Thanks for not using any “clickbait”😂

[@Joshua-dw8wu]

The loud resonance of the motor drive train is a downside .

[@heruhcanedean]

For rainbow trout I like to stay in about 45-50 ft of water. Troll at 2.2-2.3 mph about 25 ft down. For lure/bait I use a silver dakota blade with a gold bead and a black hoochie squid, with 2 circle hooks tied about an inch apart, then half a night crawler on the hooks so it runs straight. I make the lure myself. There's one Sportman's sells that works really good, it's black and gold beads instead of the squid and I also have good luck with those. Brown trout also go for it. If the depth is only about 15-20 ft I bottom fish a Carolina rig with a worm hook and inflate the worm so it floats. Sometimes you get catfish with that tho. If I'm fishing a river for trout nothing beats a Panther Martin. A fish that would be cool to watch you get is a Cali golden trout. I've tried over 10 times to get one, but I only get browns and rainbows when I try.

[@investigativeoutcomes9343]

all depends on where the thermocline is.

[@TiredAmerican247]

@@heruhcanedean if your catching browns while fishing for golden trout you’re in the wrong river.

[@heruhcanedean]

@@TiredAmerican247 I go to Diamond Lake when I target them. I go to different spots on the lake to target different kinds of trout. I've tried the creeks at the north and south end. You can't fish too far up the north creek because DFW breed the tigers up there.

[@TiredAmerican247]

@@heruhcanedean golden trout are only native to California. In fact they’re only in maybe a handful of creeks and high altitude lakes in California. Not sure what goldens you’re fishing for.

[@heruhcanedean]

@@TiredAmerican247 How did we get a fish native to Europe (German brown trout) in American waters? The Asian silver carp? Crazy that we can't introduce a fish that's only a state border away. Edit : Does liking your own comment make it more believable?

[@shedgrown3539]

Where’s the life jacket?😮

[@DieHardFishing]

Behind my seat

[@ilovetopop]

i dont own a kayak.. i just had a question.. do you have to pay a fee to use your kayak at the lake?

[@DieHardFishing]

nope!

[@johncase1972]

How long can you troll on that motor setup? Super impressive crappie btw!

[@DieHardFishing]

Pretty much the whole day!

[@parafax]

I'm hoping to fish with Nick this spring if he's available. Missed him last time during Jun's beach fair/fishing tourny.

[@NickFish007]

I will be taking people out in March + April if you want to get on the list!

[@parafax]

@NickFish007 perfect! Yes, put me on it!

[@TheKokanut]

Have you ever thought of putting a bell on your rods ?

[@DieHardFishing]

I think it would be ringing constantly with the motion of the kayak

[@tonyxiong979]

That a nice smallie you caught

[@julioroman6017]

Have you caught a sturgeon?

[@DieHardFishing]

yes

[@Robert-t6y1w]

How about freshwater perch

[@fuzzy_little_duckling]

SACRAMENTO PIKEMINNOW ARE *NATIVE* TO CALIFORNIA‼ Like other native species they play an important role in the ecosystem whether they are preying upon other species or they are being eaten by something else. While the larger ones do occasionally eat young salmon, they eat way less compared to other species that are actually nonnative or invasive, like black basses and striper. Even steelhead and sturgeon (also native) will sometimes eat baby salmon. Lastly, the idea that pikeminnow are invasive and need to be removed to protect salmon and steelhead populations was started by the bounties up in Oregon and Washington. And those were started by Bonneville and Tacoma Powers, big dam companies that blame pikeminnow in order to divert attention from their dams (that are blocking important migration routes/ spawning habitat from salmon and steelies. Dams are one of the major reasons for their population decline, in addition to climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, and poor water management). The money for the bounty is a small price to pay in order to keep their dams up (more money, but at the cost of our endangered salmon and steelhead.

[@DieHardFishing]

Thanks for the info!

[@fuzzy_little_duckling]

@@DieHardFishing Of course! Just trying to spread the word. For our native fish species 🐟✊

[@ehumaui4087]

Great to see nick out fishing again, but the motor sound is killing my teeth

[@DieHardFishing]

Yeah, I'm working on a fix for that. Apologies!

[@marklemist6928]

Nice video.

[@TheLegobug]

He probably hit while on your down rig...but didn't pop off the rig.

[@micbarca9777]

Those are schools of crappie. Vertical jig those slabs😊😊

[@badmonkey0001]

Every time I hear about an invasive fish that's not good eating, I immediately think "crab bait".

[@fuzzy_little_duckling]

Sacramento Pikeminnow are actually a native species to California that have coexisted peacefully with salmon and steelhead for thousands of years before humans came along. Then the big dam companies built dams which blocked the rivers, causing our salmon population to plummet, and they created the misconception that pikeminnow are invasive and bad for salmon so attention is diverted from the dams and people blame pikeminnow instead. Pretty sad story but a lot of anglers are now aware of the truth which is awesome

[@davidbrazell3866]

Yep, smallmouth, a good one

[@NickJones-k4g]

Try scented lure or bait next time 😍😍😍

[@NickJones-k4g]

😍😍😍

[@Marc-nx9ce]

Pike minnow meat is actually pretty good, but damn there is too many bones. If that fish didnt have a ton of tiny bones it probably would be great table fare

[@fuzzy_little_duckling]

I believe Taku (outdoor chef life) has a video or two on how to prepare pikeminnow and get rid of all the bones

[@alwaysfishhard4953]

Where is your PFD?

[@DieHardFishing]

Behind my seat!

[@conservativerealist]

Nice smallmouth.

[@the-wizard-the]

the fish wizard

[@jonmann3216]

Sounds like you brought your rock polisher along.

[@DieHardFishing]

lol

[@Follower_of_The_Word]

Your trolling motor sounds very loud. Is that typical or is there something going on to amplify the sound on the recording? I could not tolerate that noise while fishing is such a peaceful setting. Here in Washington state there is a bounty on pike minnow, a.k.a. squawfish. You can earn up to $8 per fish turned in under the bounty program. There are tagged fish worth hundreds to entice people to pursue them. It can be very lucrative during the spawning season.

[@DieHardFishing]

Yeah, I'm working on a fix for that. Apologies!

[@darrelq1806]

Just my 2 cents: Sacramento pikeminnow and salmonids have been coexisting for eons long before homo-sapiens ever stepped foot in North America. I think the biggest impact to salmonids species are simply human predation , the non native fish we introduce, and the structures we built that have modified the environments salmonids evolved to be in. Also to add a bit of irony. Somehow through human intervention whether on purpose or not, pikeminnow were introduced outside their native waters because of us in the first place. Lol In either case, Adam. You’re wise to second guess whether or not they are a problem where you are since it’s only select watersheds where it’s an issue, not all. So thanks for that.

[@investigativeoutcomes9343]

no, you are wrong, salmon die after they spawn, short lived, stripers it the smolts! 🤦‍♂, no baby salmon, no adult salmon.

[@thetruth9952]

Do you have a better picture of that first crappie? Thing looked 2 lbs

[@DieHardFishing]

I did but the camera froze! Sorry!

[@fmfishing]

I give you a challenge do micro fishing. 😂😂😂😂

[@fuzzy_little_duckling]

Micro fishing is so fun and rewarding but also frustrating sometimes lol

[@Protege-i3x]

The squaw fish is also called the Sacramento pikeminnow and is native fish to California. Misinformation amigo

[@ishwithfish]

that smallie's a 2 million view-1R1R vid lol. funny it's a bycatch on trout days.

[@paul-68]

Just like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.

[@rigofishing]

Carp fishing

[@mythraider1]

why does it sounds like you have a steam engine there? 🤣😂 Good video though 🤙

[@BIGGANT78]

😂😂

[@DieHardFishing]

Yeah, I'm working on a fix for that. Apologies!

[@freeandindependenttorres2233]

Small mouth bass

[@blkaudiofan]

Ngl crappie > trout especially if it has eggs

[@WeaksauceXx]

Big smallie.

[@frankbelford3391]

Three lines in the water. Lucky a fish cop didn't catch you!!!!

[@totalnoobfishing1753]

should have at least towed your buddy out for a little

[@glynjones584]

Adam your kayak is motorized, therefore it needs to be registered and therefore there is a golden mussel quarantine on all motorized vessels that requires a 30 day non use tag before you can launch. Or it must be decontaminated. prior to launching.This is being strictly enforced. A lot of lakes are being closed until they have a decon station set up. The mussels are in the delta and can be devastating to lakes. Check into it before you go again. It's going to be a royal pain in the butt1

[@hornpuppy22]

A motor 9.9 or less hp and vessel less than 10’ in length are not required to be registered

[@glynjones584]

@@hornpuppy22

[@glynjones584]

Hmmmm sorry to disagree but even a small pram with an electric motor is required. I was sighted for this once. ANY motor requires registration.

[@sg-mx4ii]

big smallmouth

[@aficionadolurecompany700]

What's up with all these bots comments?

[@dankmeds_geneticsdankmeds_1386]

Yump!

[@CH_Alpha]

Trolling WAY too fast for trout!

[@Marv2049]

Adam, you need a rear view mirror so you don’t miss the bites behind you, lol.

[@homie9989]

Adam, u r cheated with ur motor and left the other in the dust. Not fun when u r out with the partners. 😊