Snorkel or SCUBA your way to underwater fishing

March 31, 2008 | By Larry In Fish |

I stood on the shore looking out over the Baraga county marina. The water was calm and the air was starting to cool down as it approached the evening hours. It had been an extremely hot day in the middle of July. Earlier that day while sitting at home trying to stay cool I started thinking. Theirs a good amount of perch in that bay and they come into the marina around spawning time. They hang in their for about 2 weeks, and their gone. Where do they go? Deeper water, or maybe into the weed beds? It was hot and I thought why not just take a first hand look. So their I stood with mask and snorkel in hand ready to enter the water.Fish locators and sonar’s are great but they don’t even come close to seeing it for yourself!If you have ever had a chance to swim lake superior in the summer time you know that even in the middle of July the water is still quite cold. What a way to cool off.

I swam though the marina overlooking the bottom about 15 feet down. The water was nice and clear and even though it was getting into the evening I could see really well. Shallow weed beds covered the bottom. I could see small bait fish darting in and out of the weeds but no sign of any game fish . The weeds were not thick enough to conceal them. I slowly made my way out of the marina an began to swim my way around the peninsula that formed it. It didn’t take long and the weeds vanished behind me the bottom was now covered with dozens of boards, now taking on the appearance of large pieces of drift wood sanded smooth by the sand and water though the years as they laid their. To my surprise in-between and above the pile of wood their was a school of at least a 100 perch. They ranged in size from about 4 inches all the way up to a good 15 inches. I raised my head above the water to check my location. Was I surprised, I was only about 20 feet off the shoreline. I have never seen anyone fish this location even though the walkway going around the park went right by here. My guess is these fish stay close to this area all summer and most fisherman thinking their not here don’t bother to fish for them. As I headed back to shore I knew where I would be fishing the next morning.

If you scuba dive or like to snorkel use this to your advantage. Spent some time in those lakes you like to fish. You will be surprised at what you will learn.

In most states spear fishing is not legal. If you really want to have some fun find yourself a short rod. Equip it with a casting real and a heavy sinker. Grab some bait and take it along with you in the water. Most fish don’t spook very easily when you are in the water with them. Dangle the bait in front of the fish and before you know it you will have a fight on your hands. This is a lot of fun!

But Beware I have found northern pike get quite aggressive over live bait. I have had them hit a live minnow on my hook just inches below my stomach while I was swimming. I have had them on large enough to pull me several feet though the water before snapping the line. This is their world. So this summer try something a little different- mix some underwater fishing in with your open water fishing. You’ll love it!

Tags:fishing, open water fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, under water fishing