Anyone know anything about the Falls of the Ohio??

[jbstrange22022]

Hey,
Just wondering if anyone knows anything about the Falls of the Ohio in Clarksville, IN. I go fishing over there quite frequently, but I have only ever caught one dinky little white bass a few years ago. I have looked around and done some research, but I cant really find much about this place.

Does anyone know any tips for shore-fishing at the Falls (place, presentation, bait, etc..)??
Secondly- my primary target is catfish, so are there any tips for where I can catch cats during winter, spring, summer, and autumn at the falls and with what presentation and bait??

Thanks so much!!

[kvonn]

Hey JB,
The Falls of the Ohio can be one of the best places to bank fish in the Louisville area.
To me,the most important factor is:How much water they are letting out.You can check the water level at this website, http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydro...2&hydro_type=0
12-18 ft is ideal in my opinion.The higher the level,the stronger the current,and the harder to fish.When it's high you must use a lot of weight to keep it out there.And you get more snags.Anyway,the rocky bottom means you may have to donate some tackle to the river any time.Spring & summer are best times for me for cats & striped/hybrid bass.Fall & winter for sauger.Trophy sized Drum can be caught year round.HA! Many fish right off the fossil beds below the stairs at the museum(Interpretive Center).I like to fish at the "Big Eddy",downstream 100 yards or so,where the river makes a big bend.Some like to use big surf-casting rods and fish near the gates where the water comes out-They try to cast where the fast water meets the slack water.I'm not sure footed enough to wade out there.As far as catfish,you can catch channel cats,flathead, blues.I've had more luck with chicken livers than anything else;There are experienced catfishermen on this forum that may be able to tell you the best baits to target particular species.Right now,I would consider the main river unfishable, with the lower gage at 41 feet. Good Luck, Kurt

[GeoFisher]

Hey JB,
The Falls of the Ohio can be one of the best places to bank fish in the Louisville area.
To me,the most important factor is:How much water they are letting out.You can check the water level at this website, http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydro...2&hydro_type=0
12-18 ft is ideal in my opinion.The higher the level,the stronger the current,and the harder to fish.When it's high you must use a lot of weight to keep it out there.And you get more snags.Anyway,the rocky bottom means you may have to donate some tackle to the river any time.Spring & summer are best times for me for cats & striped/hybrid bass.Fall & winter for sauger.Trophy sized Drum can be caught year round.HA! Many fish right off the fossil beds below the stairs at the museum(Interpretive Center).I like to fish at the "Big Eddy",downstream 100 yards or so,where the river makes a big bend.Some like to use big surf-casting rods and fish near the gates where the water comes out-They try to cast where the fast water meets the slack water.I'm not sure footed enough to wade out there.As far as catfish,you can catch channel cats,flathead, blues.I've had more luck with chicken livers than anything else;There are experienced catfishermen on this forum that may be able to tell you the best baits to target particular species.Right now,I would consider the main river unfishable, with the lower gage at 41 feet. Good Luck, Kurt

When the water is right, you can go below the interpertive center and destroy sauger when they are running.

the KEY is to watch how the water breaks, and try to get your bait into the eddy pools that are created by the break. Takes soem time to figure that out. And be sure to use a heavy enough jig to get down. You will lose a ton of them, but you need to be on the bottom with "feel" to catch sauger.

Also, don't be afraid to take the trail to the right and go all the way to the end. Down there, the river makes a sharp turn, and creates quite a few good "breaks". Those areas will hold sauger, and colgate creek comes in about 1/2 mile down.

All those areas are good.

Good luck.

Later,

Geo

[jbstrange22022]

Alright sounds good! Thanks a lot man

Could you recommend any particular tactics for catfish in the lower eddy? Should I bottom fish with stink bait, or given the rocky snags, should I throw a bluegill or skipjack fillet into the current breaks with a pole float to keep it off the bottom?

Also, what line would you recommend for the Falls? I currently have 20lb test on my reel, but it is very stretchy and I don't want to loose a fish on the snags.

Just wondering what your thoughts on this were,
JB

[Drew1233]

Not sure about the catfish but if you just want to catch a fish go down there with a regular pond spinning reel and cast an in-line spinner. You will catch skipjack and some striped bass. And if you do get a snag try just opening your bail. Most of the time the current will pull you right off the rock. Also casting grubs and stick baits can be good attics for bass. Fisherman14 and I usually try to fish the bend and have seen people pull catfish, drum, skipjack, bass, and Asian carp. It's a great time but be ready to use some rock climbing skills! Hope this helps if you have any questions pm me. Thanks, drew

[riverrat12]

All good information. To add a couple,you can also keep up with the water levels by calling 775-5056 updated every 4 hours with new forcasts at the 2 o'clock reading.As far as bait I prefer Mooneye,skipjack,shad, bluegill and buffalo depending on what you want to catch.As far as set up I use mostly 60# test, with a 10\0Gamakatsu hook somewhat rigged like you would drop shot for bass with the wieght on the bottem and hook suspended above.The amount of weight will very with the water flow. As mentioned look for water breaks,eddies,structure or transitional areas of terrain.With that said everything you do and the area you fish will depend on the Water level, for things can change down there right in front of you. I would suggest keeping a log book with spicifics that you can relate to, date, time, water level,weather patterns, and so on. Purchace a throw net if you don't have one...the best bait is fresh bait. Hope this helps, I've caught a couple down there...Be safe and listen for sirens. Good luck Chuck

[mhall]

All good information. To add a couple,you can also keep up with the water levels by calling 775-5056 updated every 4 hours with new forcasts at the 2 o'clock reading.As far as bait I prefer Mooneye,skipjack,shad, bluegill and buffalo depending on what you want to catch.As far as set up I use mostly 60# test, with a 10\0Gamakatsu hook somewhat rigged like you would drop shot for bass with the wieght on the bottem and hook suspended above.The amount of weight will very with the water flow. As mentioned look for water breaks,eddies,structure or transitional areas of terrain.With that said everything you do and the area you fish will depend on the Water level, for things can change down there right in front of you. I would suggest keeping a log book with spicifics that you can relate to, date, time, water level,weather patterns, and so on. Purchace a throw net if you don't have one...the best bait is fresh bait. Hope this helps, I've caught a couple down there...Be safe and listen for sirens. Good luck Chuck

Yea maybe a couple......

[TroyRalph502]

The falls is my second home in the spring, summer, and fall. I have fished there for quite a few years. I always try to target catfish and I have found the best place is right under the observatory. There is a fairly good sized hole there to fish. But the best time to fish is when the water is 16ft or lower. I use either skipjack or carp. And a heavy weight is needed t keep your bait on the bottom. If your in the Louisville area I can turn you toward a few other spots that have produced goo catfish for me.