Sauger Fishing on the Ohio River

[F16ENGMGR]

We need some current. Hopefully todays rain will get things moving by the weekend. Temps supposed to be nice 40's-50's this weekend. I fished last Wednesday on the OH. Talked to another bass club buddy. Both of us did terrible. This time last year the sauger bite was on. Still waiting in my area.

[riverrat12]

Was at the upper dam at Mcalpine last Fri. caught 6 all between 8 and 12in one around 16in. slow all deep. I think it's hit or miss right now hopefully the rain will help. Like to put a thanks out there to the guy in the green boat that pulled me back to the ramp after my Johnson decided to stay on the river on one of the nicest day's of the year. And to add to huricanebob's list of things not to forget on a very cold day, the minnow dip net for your fingers will freeze to the boat,your zipper, the trolling motor, oars, anchor rope, and several other thing I really don't care to remember. And lime will not keep your beverage from freezing!!!! Chuck

[riverrat12]

OH MY...22.5 at the lower gauge by Fri. at Mcalpine...Ladies and gentlemen we have water.

[Tyme2fish]

OH MY...22.5 at the lower gauge by Fri. at Mcalpine...Ladies and gentlemen we have water.

But won't all that water, that fast, wash all them ol' sauger down past Evansville??

[riverrat12]

But won't all that water, that fast, wash all them ol' sauger down past Evansville??

Probably so Tyme, but there hasn't been that many to wash away lol. I'll take change....and hope...snicker

[Tyme2fish]

My buddy and I tried Monday with no luck. The bait store was closed and we had no minnows.

Tried the upper right across from the muesum and also around the ledges. Caught a few small whites but no sauger.

Also tried by the lower dam for just a bit but again no success.

Too soon? Need for the water temp to get a little colder?

[riverrat12]

My buddy and I tried Monday with no luck. The bait store was closed and we had no minnows.

Tried the upper right across from the muesum and also around the ledges. Caught a few small whites but no sauger.

Also tried by the lower dam for just a bit but again no success.

Too soon? Need for the water temp to get a little colder?

I think so, and fortunately not much salt has been dropped up north for I no that gives our toothy critters lock jaw. I just get excited when I have a little color in the water.Was it big cats bait store? I hope we can give them enough business to keep them going. The last couple times I was there they said I was there first customer that day and it was like 1'o'clock.. Chuck

[BASSKING]

they are there (the sauger), we went sat and sun and managed to keep a limit both days of decent sized fish. 14-16 inches with a lot of small males caught maybe 25 or more. the current is what is keeping them in the deeper water IMO. the lower gauge is set to rise to 22.5 by friday and this weekend should be better if they have to open up the upper dam. the very clear water is not helping any at all as well. we were fishin the ledges with minnows in the channel near the duck pond.

Chuck , i know you have been fishing that river a lot longer than me and i wanted to ask you if you have ever seen that water that clear?

in me 6-7 years over there i dont remeber it being that clear.

[riverrat12]

they are there (the sauger), we went sat and sun and managed to keep a limit both days of decent sized fish. 14-16 inches with a lot of small males caught maybe 25 or more. the current is what is keeping them in the deeper water IMO. the lower gauge is set to rise to 22.5 by friday and this weekend should be better if they have to open up the upper dam. the very clear water is not helping any at all as well. we were fishin the ledges with minnows in the channel near the duck pond.

Chuck , i know you have been fishing that river a lot longer than me and i wanted to ask you if you have ever seen that water that clear?

in me 6-7 years over there i dont remeber it being that clear.

I've seen it that clear above the dam in the mcalpine pool when the water stabilzes or is turning. But not below the dam. I guess we have the zebra mussel or the EPA to thank for that , I'm leanin toward the zebra mussel.Also I'm not sure but I'm wondering what the effect the Asian carp is playing in this with them feeding primarily on the plankton resources.Other things to put into concideration are what the drought the last couple of years has to do with it....I think I'm going to need a couple of fishin day's to figure it all out....good question, I hope I can catchya down there and we can talk about this over a couple cold ones... Chuck

[RDEYBITEN?]

Is it still clear after the rain? I'm planning on fishing below Markland Saturday . Any advice appreciated !!!..............................Norm

[jfw]

they are there (the sauger), we went sat and sun and managed to keep a limit both days of decent sized fish. 14-16 inches with a lot of small males caught maybe 25 or more. the current is what is keeping them in the deeper water IMO. the lower gauge is set to rise to 22.5 by friday and this weekend should be better if they have to open up the upper dam. the very clear water is not helping any at all as well. we were fishin the ledges with minnows in the channel near the duck pond.

Chuck , i know you have been fishing that river a lot longer than me and i wanted to ask you if you have ever seen that water that clear?

in me 6-7 years over there i dont remeber it being that clear.

I am not Chuck but I have never Ever seen it this clear I live a few blocks from Harrison Ave ramp and have been fishin the river for over 20 years ,but it's all gonna change with that bubble coming down.Gonna be 22ft by Friday
We fished warm water discharge on Monday got some nice spotted & smallmouth bass on blade baits no hybrids ,bait house out of minnows .we ran back up around crappie rock and seen 2 boats catchin a few sauger but they had minnows and we didn't oh well ,you can bet the duck pond will bee full this weekend at 22ft

[Bassky]

I fished below Meldahl Sat am. Caught 10 white bass and 2 sauger.
All on silver buddies and castmaster gold spoons. Fished until 2 pm. Left the dam and put in at Bracken Creek ramp in Augusta. Drove up river to the mouth of a creek. Water temps 46-48. Found shad everywhere at the mouth. My mouth started watering. Immediately caught a 16" spot, a good 2-2.5lbs on a silver buddy. Went on to catch, 7 lm bass, all on silver buddy. Switched to the Am Shad jerkbait and WAM! Caught a 21" largemouth, guestimate over 5lbs maybe 6lbs. Fat as a spring bass. Couldn't believe it. My biggest ever for the Ohio River. My best 5 around 11lbs. Wish I was fishing a tx!! Caught 2 sauger, 14-15" and around 15 whitebass. Everyone of the white bass were between 1.5lbs and 2.5lbs. Had a blast! I caught the white bass on the jerk bait and silver buddies casting to the popping shad. My best day ever on the river. We fished from 3- 5pm.
My brother and a friend fished with us below the dam early sat and they caught 2 sauger. Biggest went around 4lbs. 19". Tried to get them to come with us but declined. Oh well. Haven't put up my boat yet. Still wanting to get out again a couple of times this winter.
Bassky