Fishing the Ohio

[nitro929]

What is a good bait to throw for bass on the Ohio? I have never fished the river and was wondering where to start. I am not asking for spots or honey holes i will do the work myself. Spinnerbaits, Crankbaits, Jerkbaits, or is plastics better. Shakey heads,texas rigs, c rigs. Or maybe a pig and jig? Dont need any brands or styles just looking to have something tied on the end of my rod before i hit the river. I live 15 minutes from the river and every lake i fish is an hour to three hours away. thought i might save some gas. Oh and one more question if its not to much, is it better up river ( above the dam) or down. Louisville area. Thanks ahead .

[fishinfreak]

When I fish the river I down size everything. When I throw plastics I throw baby brush hogs and 4 inch worms 7 inch max.

[jfw]

#5 jointed Shadrap...burn it

[nitro929]

Thank you both,
I guess i need to leave the 10" power worms and the 3/4 ounce spinnerbaits at home. I saw somewhere where it took 5 lbs to win a tourney, so i guess you are fishing for smaller fish. I am going to try up river. going to put some gas in the tank forget the phone at home and just explore. If i reach cincinatti i will turn around and head home.

[mess]

I would definitely try topwaters in the morning hours. pop r's and sometimes buzzbait if you have wood cover. small jerkbaits seem to get bites from bass and whites. crankbaits are a must. Small profile Jig n' pigs are a good bet also. I am in cincy but assume the bite would be similiar.

[ronzo]

If I am fishing the main river I usually will fish a carolina rig or football jig on the outside bends that have rock. Normally both of these will be in green pump. if the water is clear and black neon if it is stained or muddy. I will also use a pop-r in these same places. Right now there a lot of small shad so a 1.0 square bill has been working also. If I head up one of the creeks it's hard to beat flipping and pitching either a jig or beaver style bait. Like before usually green pump or black. Seems like the beaver baits have been a little better for me lately. Whatever your stengths are fish them and remember three things when fishing a river current current current.