Ohio River bank fishing - advice sought

[olgreenboat]

looks like some good fishing around any trees that have fallen into the water but do use a big flavor and please wear a vest those rocks are slick and deadly..
One of the things i have all ways like about fishing the river is you just don't know what is on the end of the line until you get it up to the bank..
Thanks and tight lines

[tracker18]

Is this a outside bend in the river. If so then it might have deep water to the edge of riprap. You are on a gold mind if so. It will be undercut, and that is where the hogs live. Live bait and skip jack and hold on. Find a buddy with a boat and check it out if you need to.

Good Luck and enjoy.

[KentuckyBristle]

Thanks, I really appreciate everyone's comments, especially:

looks like some good fishing around any trees that have fallen into the water but do use a big flavor and please wear a vest those rocks are slick and deadly..

...because I'm not sure I would have seriously considered it, but really, that's a good thought, and if I end up fishing there I'll probably do that! I'd rather not end up on the local news described with the phrase "...not yet identified."

[boondock]

I have fished from the bank for years. Several things I learned and saw results immediately:
1- bypass all the chicken liver, stink baits, and other gimmicks. The best bait hands down is bluegill/shad/skipjack. I like to alternate live bait / cut bait. For example pole 1 live bait, pole 2 cut, pole 3 live, pole 4 cut etc..... Also throw each pole out in 10-20 foot intervals (this will provide a better scent trail) cast pole 1 10 feet from bank, pole 2 20 feet, pole 3 30 feet and so on.
2- Heavy braided line, you would hate to loose a monster, and if you were to get hung up you would have a better chance of getting your rig back.
3- Heavy sinker at least 4/5 oz I use a 6 oz.
4- Circle Hooks (I use a 8/0 Gamakatsu)
5- Get some rood holders or forked tree limbs
6- tip your poles with a bell
7- a fire pit, radio of some sorts, comfy chair, cooler full of refreshments, snacks.

Worst case scenario you'll catch a good buzz!

Good Luck!

[Rudypoo4444]

+1 on skipping the chicken liver and stink baits. Bluegill and shad work well, but this may work even better:

Get some skinless chicken breasts and cut them up to the desired size of the bait you want to use.
Get a box of strawberry jello.
Get a bottle of the cheapest rock-gut whiskey you can buy.
Per the instructions on the jello box, mix the chicken with the jello and water, but subtract about 1/2-3/4 cup of water from what the jello calls for, and substitute the whiskey for the water you subtracted from the mix. Make this up the day before you fish so the chicken soaks up the jello and whiskey really well.

Catfish of all kinds just love this bait, and they can smell and taste it from a long ways off. If you decide to give it a try, please let me know how you do, but I can already guess you won't be dissapointed.

[KentuckyBristle]

+1 on skipping the chicken liver and stink baits. Bluegill and shad work well, but this may work even better:

Get some skinless chicken breasts and cut them up to the desired size of the bait you want to use.
Get a box of strawberry jello.
Get a bottle of the cheapest rock-gut whiskey you can buy.
Per the instructions on the jello box, mix the chicken with the jello and water, but subtract about 1/2-3/4 cup of water from what the jello calls for, and substitute the whiskey for the water you subtracted from the mix. Make this up the day before you fish so the chicken soaks up the jello and whiskey really well.

Catfish of all kinds just love this bait, and they can smell and taste it from a long ways off. If you decide to give it a try, please let me know how you do, but I can already guess you won't be dissapointed.

Thanks! And that sounds like it might also be really good on the grill...perhaps with a little cayenne...