When I was a boy growing up on the banks of the Oswegatchie River my Grandad told me stories of big northern pike that he caught over the years. Stories of 25 pound monsters lurking under logs and in deep pools sparked my imagination and drove me to pursue fishing with passion through my teenaged years.
I caught some brusiers just like Grandad said were there and I took a few friends along to share the experience.
We tried dozens of lures and bait. We trolled with spinners and cast top water lures learning how to get just the wobble, wobble, blub, blub needed to illicit a powerful strike.
But over the years I’ve never found a better lure than an old red and white dare devil spoon. Which was Grandads favorite too.
Last weekend I stood in my boat on an early morning on Bull Lake. The fog lifted from the water and my faithfull dog lay beside me as I carefully chose a red and white spoon from my tackle box. It didn’t take long for a strike and the big fish fought for several minutes before tangling in the weeds and popping off.
I remember stories from Granddad about many big ones that got away. And just about all of them involved a red and white spoon somehow.
I’ve still got a tackle box filled with lures and steel leaders. But when things get tough I always reach for my favorite.
What’s your favorite lure? Let us know!
