Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
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<(Ron Sorensen, Avid Pike Angler) We are at Yuba Dam to try and catch some pike today.>
<(Glen Harward, Heber) (adam to Glen) That big? (glen) as long as you can reach.>
<(Adam) What kind of structure should people come out and look for? (Ron Sorensen, Pike Fisherman) they should look for about 20 foot depth, usually a flat, even rocky bottom.>
<(nats leaving)>
<(Ron) Anywhere there is some kind of structure, rocks or stickups or anything like that.>
<(nat driving past camera)>
For years we've been coming down and catching big northern pike in the spring and summer.
<(nats file, catching big pike)>
and right now....
<(nats starting auger)>
anglers are having success through the ice.
<(Ron hooks into fish) oh yeah, fish on. Woo hoo. The bite is coming. (nats fish out of hole)>
<(Mike Slater, DWR; Wildlife Program Manager) it's unique we have what three waters in Utah that we can go and catch the Northern Pike. Yuba obviously being the champion of the three where you have an opportunity to catch those large pike. We look at it as a unique opportunity, something different, for people to come down here and you don't necessarily have to be an expert at fishing.>
<(Ron Sorensen, Avid Pike Angler) I just love them, the fight, the big teeth, the danger of the fish, they are like fresh water barracuda, they are fun to catch.>
Ron has been fishing Yuba for perch, pike and walleye for decades. Just a few weeks ago, he landed some nice pike, even a walleye through the ice. He loves to share his passion with others, so they can also come and catch some of these toothy critters.
<(Ron) They seem to like the gravel bottom. I believe the walleye and the perch are in here too..>
<(Adam) and what are you using? I'm using, here I'll show you.>
<(Ron) these are actually custom jigs that I had made by a good friend of mine. We call it the spook, it's a pearl with silver flake in it.>
<(Ron) A glow green head inside and just a half of a red sided shiner on the end of it.>
<(Ron) they won't even touch it without that chunk of meat on there.>
<(nats Tonya screams) cool, there you go.>
<(Adam) first pike through the ice? (derek) first pike ever. (laughs) I don't fish much.>
<(Derek Murdock, DWR; Volunteer Coordinator) those are sweet. (adam) you've got to be careful, those are addicting. (derrick) I know, I don't want to go home now. (laughs) (adam) could you imagine a big one. (derrick) I know you guys are talking about these big thirty inchers, that was fun, just that.>
<(adam) Oh he's got another.>
<(Adam) Oh this is a better fish.>
<(Fish out) there we go, there that's what we are after. That's a nicer one there. (derek) yeah it is, that's freaking huge. (laughs)>
<(Adam) the rookie comes through. (derek) broken pole. (laughs)>
<(Scott Root, Conservation Outreach Manager) As his supervisor I do not approve of this. He should always let the boss catch the first one. (adam) At least one? (scott) At least one.>
<(Adam) You just grab those things by the lip, go ahead. (derek) you do not touch those guys. (adam) lip him like a bass. (derek) and that's not my first one out of the ice either, that's my second. (laughs)>
There's a few things I've learned over the years about catching pike here at Yuba. Don't forget to bring something to grab these toothy fish with. These lip gripper tools will save your hands from getting ripped up by the pikes, teeth. But most important, don't expect to catch a lot of pike. There's a reason they call them a fish of a thousand casts. One day, you might latch into five or six and other days, never get a bite. Something Tonya was learning all to well today.
<(tonya) no!... (adam) oh no he's there. (tonya) he's back. Oh please, please, just let me get this fish. (fish gets off again) (adam) oh he's gone, he got off!>
<(Tag) (tonya) yeah I know I brought the rookie along and he out fished me! (adam) you've never caught one yet. (tonya) it's not over. (adam) we'll bring you back, in the spring when they are biting, and Derek can come too. (tonya) tisk, tisk, tisk, (adam) congratulations dude, that's a nice fish. (derek) thank you. (adam) Yeah nothing wrong with that. Hey there is some big news on the horizon here at Yuba Reservoir, biologists have some big plans to help this fishery out.>
<(Brode) I can't believe it, I'm so freaking excited.>
And we'll show you a fish that nearly broke the state record.
[Notes:COVER WITH VIDEO OF BIG FISH] <(adam) We'll have that in just a moment, but first tonights Burt Brothers Quiz question.>
