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Was fishing around Main Duck Island and the shoals just west of there (July 5 to July 10) for salmon and trout. Encountered the Spiny Water Flea for the first time. These little beasts absolutely ruined the fishing. I couldn’t keep the lines down for more than 10 minutes before they were coated with the little buggers. Got so fed up with cleaning the lines and looking for areas that they weren’t in, that I finally gave up. Has anyone encountered these things before? And when will they be gone?
Has anyone seen these around the Port Hope area?
All was not lost though, decided to do some bass fishing around Timber Island and Long Point. Did manage to get some real nice Smallmouth.
You can use flea flicker line that works great on the fleas but really handles like rope! Ive used Pline xxxstrong with good results It seems to have some sort of coating that the flea's can't hang onto. If the fleas are not too thick (like in your pic) then you can get away with 12lbs but if they get real thick You may have to move upto 15-17lbs Ive used 17lbs in the thickest of thick with very good results
Good luck
I ran into them for the first time last August while fishing out of Port Hope and agree they are a REAL PAIN. I seem to remember reading somewhere that they like small diameter lines, but are unable to attach themselves to mono that is 20# - 25# or greater. My problem is that I like to use my 4 trolling reels for walleye as well as for salmon and have them spooled with 14# & 17# and those little devils really liked these lines. I understand they also really like small diameter braided lines. Its enough to make you want to give up fishing in Lake Ontario until water cools back down.
Sad part is I have started t find these in many inland lakes over the past couple of years...so get ready to learn how to fish through these little critters.
These things are a menace to say the least. They made their way into the here in the balest of a freighter. Flea flicker line works ok, but the line it's shelf is foot ball shaped and can cause issue's. You run heavy test mono, 50lbs the little buggers can't clasp on due to the diameter of the line. Sadly I much prefer running 17lbs test and enjoying the battle. Other than that...Pop your lines every 10 minutes to clean them.
I personally found the best way to get them off your line, is to pluck your line (when tight) - kind of like drawing a bow back then release arrow. Do this repeatedly and they come of. They stink too!!!
I uni to uni knot 70 feet of Flea Flicker onto my rigs.....you certainly don't need to fill the spool with FF.....I have no issues with knot strength or anything else using FF...it looks odd is all....once ya get passed that it's no biggie..
I also run wire on my Dipsy setups....Fleas don't collect on that at all....
I doubt I'll have time to get down to hit the salmon this summer...just too busy on the water locally...
