Sauger Fishing on the Ohio River

[Bassky]

Anyone been down to the river lately for sauger? I need a report. May go this Saturday if weather is permitting and if they are hitting better than the last few weeks.
Bassky

[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

[riverrat12]

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

Headin to Mcalpine tomorrow, will let you no. Welcome aboard......Chuck