Hi Everyone,
I hate for my first post to be -Hey where are the fish!? but... my friend and I are growing increasingly frustrated with catching between zero and two fish per outing (embarrassed to admit that we usually fish for 6-8 hours).
We're both new this year to Bass fishing. Staying mostly around Grosse Ile and south of Sugar Island a couple miles into the Lake. We cast weighted tubes (bouncing on the bottom), Rapala, Lucky Strike jerk baits and even the occasional crawler harness. Typically in 6 to15 feet of water, usually drifting or using the trolling motor to keep us over weeds.
Any advice or techniques for finding fish would be greatly appreciated. We need help before the wives start thinking we are off golfing...
Thanks!
The southern part of the River is good in the Fall. If you have a GPS, or a good map, look for places where the current washes over depth contours at right angles. As the fall progresses, the fish in the river should become more numerous.
If tubes aren't working, try drop shotting. Some days they will smack one technique, and not the other.
I was down there about a month ago, and the color that they liked that day was Xtreme Tackle's Emerald Shiner.
I've been trying a little different twist this year also. Weighted Wacky worms. I've tried the Jackall type weighted jig as well as my own version. In the River, I've needed 1/4 oz to get down and hold the worm where I want it. I've read where some guys are even using a Wacky hook, and then putting a split shot just above the hook on the line. I haven't tried that one yet, but it should work.
I have been fishing out there for years. This time of year as the water temps fall into the 50's, crankbaits and tubes are hot. If you have an Ontario license, the north shore is hot this time of year from Bar Point to Colchester. I am headed out there one or two more times before I put my boat up for the year. The river largemouths turn on too this time of year. You can go into Crystal Bay and tear them up. But that requires an Ontario license. Good luck.
BD ;D
Sorry, can't help you out, just wanted to say I thought the golf comment was hilarious !!! lolol :D Welcome to the site Jeff
I struggle down there more than I should too for a while now. One thing, many of the spots get real small, but real good this time of year. So, once you do find one, you will probably tear them up.
Sometimes the spots are real good for an hour and then dead outside of that hour or whatever the time frame too. Makes it a little tougher to learn. Do you know where the water intake out from the Metro Park? That can be good. Just don't run over it - there's 3 buoys along it if I remember right. Stay out past the farthest buoy. Real rocky. Not as good as it used to be by a long shot, but I've caught nice bass and walleye there, and seen toads on the underwater camera.
Thanks Dan !!!
You just give away my only spot, other than the ones I got off Madwags during a tourney :o ....lol
Once I get this darn Kitchen and 1/2 bath done. Ill be out wandering around with ya Bassvergnugen. It maybe ontop of the water but ill still be out there. ;D
Good luck Bassvergnugen I hope you wackem. Also be safe as the weather can change quickly.
LaPorte
See.... I told you! ;D LOL!
The intake that DK is talking about is one of many community spots out there. That spot is "hit and miss" at best. If you went that way today, I would tell you to fish around the perch guys. They will be in that intake area somewhere however if you don't catch anything after 15 minutes move on. Welcome to forum and I hope to see you on the water.
BD. ;D
I'd help more (and risk the wrath of more friends) but I don't have any real good spots out there. The intake hasn't been awesome for a while from what I've seen. I shared it because someone can find it. I have caught some nice fish there a few times. It isn't real big. I have seen some big bass on the camera. And it is spotty and I hope no one holds that against me!
Thanks for the welcome and input everyone, I truly appreciate it.
Planning to head out this weekend and put your suggestions to work.
Great tips on looking for currents washing over the contours and how to rig, this will help a lot.
Regarding the north shore, we went that way not long ago but the bottom looked really flat on the fishfinder, no weeds or structure so we only spent a short amount of time there. We may have been too close to shore or possibly not far enough east.
Again, thanks for the support. It's a great community you have here, glad to have found it and to be a part of it.
I hope you have a good time, but better take the rain suit.
Looks like rain until Tuesday.
Where the warm water returns back in to the river south of the red and white stacks just South of free bridge. Has been putting a lot of smallmouth in the boat. be careful in there. The current is vary strong. Dark color cranks work best.
Is that in the area of what they call the warm water discharge? Where the crowds go for walleye in the spring? Trenton Channel?
YES!
Whoo Hoo! The curse is broken!!
We spent most of the weekend in Crystal Bay. What a great weekend of fishing. Between the kids and us, we boated so many largemouth on Saturday the the wives wanted to go out today. The ladies netted 10 themselves. We had to tell them that this was an anomaly so they don't make it a regular occurrence ;D
Thanks again for all the great tips, looking forward to trying the other areas and rigs everyone suggested. Hopefully next weekend!