Drop Shot for Sauger

[monarc]

We catch 95% of our sauger using this method. Minnows usually work best although curly tails and swim bait are very effective. Vertical fishing from a boat is an excellent way but so is casting with a slow drag retrieve. Sauger will hold on to a bait and by dragging your bait you will feel the line go heavy if it keeps coming ,it's a sauger if not (snag). Lindy walking sinkers are best for this approach because they don't snag as easily. I never fish a bait more than 1 foot off the bottom. That is where the sauger are most of the time especially this time of year when they are preparing to spawn

[Buzzy]

Thanks for the input. I am trying to get out this weekend if the weather is nice and the river is at pool. I cant seem to catch anything when the water is up even a foot. I am going to set the minnow trap today to try and have some fresh bait.

What size minnow? Crappie size?

[enrhb]

I use 3 and 4 inch grubs and flukes so I'd say anything from there on down at least. I haven't experimented with anything any bigger. Maybe some of the guys here will add to the info.

[monarc]

We have caught them on 5 to 6 inch shiners. Recommend a stinger though. Smaller fish will also try to eat baits this big. Just take your time and let the fish turn the bait if you don't use a stinger. They may grab the bait by the tail but they like to swallow it head first.

[missionFISHIN]

The guy that said fish no more than 1 foot off the bottom gave you the key to being successful with this method.
I usually fish with blade baits or jigs and 99% of the time the sauger will hit just as the lure hits bottom or is about to.
A long time ago I read where someone did a study with underwater video and said that just an inch or 2 can make all the difference in the world when sauger fishing. Sauger really hug the bottom tightly and most of the time the bait had to be just barely above them for the strike and if you were just 2 inches above that strike zone, they usually wouldn't hit.
We often joke about how some days you almost have to scrape them off the bottom, especially when they are in a negative mood. When I fish my jig or blade I always make sure it is hitting the bottom when I drop it down. I think this is the reason many people don't catch as many sauger, don't tell anyone I said that ,LOL. I would fish with big minnows or jigs tipped with minnows and probably set it for 6 inches off bottom.

[restornator]

Down at the falls I've only caught small sauger and mostly crappie using the drop shot. I'm a terrible sauger fisherman and usually just bust some hybrids or catfish.

[monarc]

tip for resonator
When the water is really cold and sauger are slow I'll peg a big minnow to the bottom. Use a football jig because it will stand up tip with a minnow cast to a likely spot and leave set. Sauger will **** it right off the bottom. You must watch your rod tip closely. placing in a rod holder is best to keep rod still. Plus you get to keep your hands warm in your pockets.

[restornator]

tip for resonator
When the water is really cold and sauger are slow I'll peg a big minnow to the bottom. Use a football jig because it will stand up tip with a minnow cast to a likely spot and leave set. Sauger will **** it right off the bottom. You must watch your rod tip closely. placing in a rod holder is best to keep rod still. Plus you get to keep your hands warm in your pockets.

Thanks. I've seen people catch them on a dead retrieve, go figure.

[jeff brillow]

I use 3 and 4 inch grubs and flukes so I'd say anything from there on down at least. I haven't experimented with anything any bigger. Maybe some of the guys here will add to the info.

Are there any areas to fish for sauger around versailles area? Trout as well