Ice Fish Ohio Forum
Ice Fishing => General Discussion => Topic started by: jmsteele187 on February 18, 2012, 09:29:40 PM
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I just read that the first walleye of the season, we're pulled from the maumee yesterday.
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from which section of the river? I hit bluegrass yesterday morning and didn't get a scale.
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Woohoo!!! That's what we want to hear. I'm working in Cleveland, so maybe I can sneak over there one day when I get done early. Since ice season's a bust, bring on the soft water!
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Icehole, the post I read said that the first jack was seen coming from sidecut park off bluegrass. Probably not to far from where you were. I imagine the action will be a bit slow for the next week or two. I thought about getting up early this morning to go out, but I think I'll wait till there's more than one confirmed fish. Here are a couple of links to the two sites I watch during the walleye run; http://walleyerun.blogspot.com/ (http://walleyerun.blogspot.com/) ; http://www.maumeetackle.net/riverupdate.html (http://www.maumeetackle.net/riverupdate.html)
Slab, I don't know how long you're working in cleavland, but since the walleye run is just getting started ( and will probably be slow fishing for a couple weeks still ) I would try my luck fishing for the steelhead out there. They should be in the rivers there for at least another month, if not two.
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JM,
I think the water was a little cool yet, tried in the AM need to wait till afternoon to get water up a couple of degrees.
I will hit it a couple times this week and see if I can find them.
The water looked great, good flow and clarity!
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Icehole,
I'm usually free on Sunday's if you ever want to meet up and hit the river. This will only be my third year fishing the walleye run. I know all the spots to fish, and even have a few favorite spots. But after getting completely skunked last year, and feel there is a whole lot more to learn about that river.
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JM,
that sounds like a plan, I have been fishin the run since 2001 and am always looking to learn more about the river and share what I have learned about the river.
PM me and we can hook up to slay some eyes.
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There were a few more confirmed catches this week. I've heard that there haven't been very many guys out giving it a try. I wonder how many fish are really in the river right now.
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I'm going to be working in Cleveland area for the next 5-6 months. Once the run gets going, wouldn't mind getting in on some of the action. Never fished the river walleye run, usually too busy to get up that far with work, but now I'm working right there!
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Slab,
When the run starts to really turn on, I'll let you know. That way you don't have to drive 2 hours just to waist your time not catching anything.
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I've read reports of BIG females being caught out north of the cans and Cone reef when they are able to get out and the water hasn't been to dirty. I would bet they aren't to far off if the weather turns around just a little.
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Thanks. Please keep me posted, I'd really appreciate it!
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Ive never really river fished for walleye during the run. What kind of setups do you guys use. rods,reels,line and tackle and lures? What rivers do you all normally fish? I'm really curious about this and would like to try it. I talked to a friend of mine who has been fishing the Ohio River and he has been doing very well on the walleye and saugers. He said his biggest walleye was 28 and average 24 and the saugers were averaging 18 inchs. Im not sure exactly where he has been fishing but I can find out.
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I fish the mighty Maumee river for walleye. During the run there are special restrictions on tackle. Only one hook can be used (no treble hooks), and the gap cannot be larger than a 1/2 inch. Most guys use M-MH spinning gear with 20-30 lb. braid. From there you can go one of two ways. The first, is to tie on a lead head jig and a 3" twister tail. The second is kind of a modified Carolina rig. You tie on a trolling weight (an elongated sinker with swivels on both ends), to the other end of the weight you tie on a leader (2-6ft). Then a floating jig head and twister tail. You just cast it out, let it hit bottom and retrieve slowly. Most guy wade out in the river, but small boats are pretty common too.
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I will just say I will never use braid in the river. I fish the run a couple times a week in the sandusky and maumee and the maumee is the worst for snags depending on the spot. When you have braid you find yourself yanking like a SOB to get it off the snag, can easily break a rod, and when you do get snagged you create a mess in the water for the rest of the mono guys. Thats just me though. The run is normally a great time whether the fish are there or not!
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I fish the Maumee on a regular basis and the braided line SUCKS. I wish that they would ban that stuff in the rivers.
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Fisher 19,
Right you are about the braid! It sucks especially later in the season when there is more in the rocks from breakoffs.
All you need is 8lb low stretch good abrasion resisstant line and you can hawl in the 20lb carp.
The Carolina rig is the way to go for most guys, it covers more surface area with the floating jig anywhere from 24 -48" below weight.
JM add your thoughts on colors, I dont get into changing colors, I've used bright orange head and chartreuse metal flake 3" twister tail for years now.These two colors are what eyes see best but the water is always muddy and you are just trying to float you jig down into a yawning eyes mouth.
It is a great time as long as you are in a good group of guys that know what they are doing. other times it gets frustrating as hell.
Hopefully when they get cranking you can hook up with JM or me.
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The first year I fished the walleye run, I was spooled up with 12lb. mono and broke off every fish I hooked into. A week later I hit the river with braid, and hauled in quite a few eyes. Then last year I tried that stren 832 braid, and it casts twice as far as mono. That's why I like the braid. As far as getting snagged, I use an 8 to 10lb. mono leader. If I get snagged, I lose just a jig head. You guys are right about all the line in the water though. I think most guys try to break off as soon as they get snagged. I try to get the snag loose by pulling the line taught, and then pop open the bail on my reel. 9 times out of 10, it comes loose and I don't have to worry about breaking it off too much.
Color? Use any color you like, as long as it's chartreuse. I like to use Berkeley powerbait grubs in fire tiger or christmas lights. The sunkist color does pretty good too I hear. Also, glow colors are getting popular.
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Keep us posted when they start and i would like to come up.
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The water is going to come way up after all this rain. My buddy lives on the river...he said it is very dirty and getting higher. I grew up a few miles from one of the best spots, I would be happy to share some knowledge. [email protected]
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Dave,
The walleye are just getting started. In the next week or so, the fishing should really pick up. The river should have risen a couple of feet today, which should bring in some fish from the lake. If the weather is alright, I might try to get out this Sunday.
Jumpy,
What spots do you like to hit the most? I don't expect you to give up you honey hole or anything, but maybe a general area. I tend to stay on the perrysburg side of the river. The maumee side, just feels like fishing backwards.
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I agree. I don't like to fish from Maumee side. I started fishing the run in 82 and always fish the same side. My spot changes depending on water level.
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I've never done this, but I am thinking about heading over there this weekend if the reports are looking good. Anybody going to be around and willing to share some info with me?
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I'm hoping to get out this Sunday, as long as the weather holds out. The fishing is picking up more and more each day. With the rain and snow we got over the weekend, and the warming trend this week, fishing should be pretty good this weekend. However, my furnace has taken another shit on me, and I'm not sure what will be going on just yet.
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I've never fished it either but have wanted to for years, just to see what combat fishing is all about... I may try and get out up there sometime during the run.
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Well it is always a good time. I hope you guys nail them. I'm waiting for water temps to come back up. Let us know how you do...
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I may try it on Friday, depending on my work schedule. If I can go, I'll let everyone know tomorrow night.
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Slab, if you are interested we are planning to go sunday from hartville. let me know.
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I might be headed out on Sunday morning. I'm just ten minutes from the maumee river. If any of you guys want to hook up, shoot me a message.
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This weekend just went to crap. Friend of my wife's is bringing her car over here for me to fix. Thought it was going to be in 2 weeks, but things changed and it's this weekend. If I get done on Sat, I'll pm you. But I tend to doubt it, as she's not coming until after 7 in the p.m. If I can't make it, catch some nice 'eyes for me!! ;D
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The action is starting to really pickup. The fishing reports get better every day.
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THE RUN IS ON!!! I'll be out there Sunday morning, I'll post on how I did.
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OK! Cool, keep us posted. Hopefully I can make it up there this week.
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Well... I got skunked today. I think I should have waited till this evening. The water temp dropped off a couple of degrees last night and I think it made for a very slow morning bite.
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2 for 5 today. Its still early. Way too many to be down there for this time of year. It looks like mid april
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All this rain they're forecasting for tomorrow won't help the situation. Need some more days like Tues and Wed and the fishing will pick up big time.
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I think the rain will help a lot. Need some water to bring some fish up. We are fishing thursdays run still. The run is going to come fast. weather looks perfect, rain warm break rain warm :)
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I got skunked today to. Had two wader problems that made for an interesting morning. It was a good learning experience though, and will hopefully do better next time.
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I meant I just don't like how rain muddies the water and is unpleasant to fish in. However it does thin the fishermen. It's good for warming it up when it's raining and in the 60's. That'll definately bring fish up.
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We need to have a get together. Also, lets see some pictures.
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I will be heading up that this way this coming weekend. I will upload some pics I always catch something.
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2 for 5 Sunday. Dad got his limit on the lake today
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Nice Good Luck.
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This could very easily be the best weekend of the year.
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ok you guys i have waited patiently untill the water is right and the temps are where they need to start the wallys... since it is a stretch from akron to toledo at these gas prices you understand timing is everything ;D looks like i cant hold on any longer i have this twitch started and looks like i will have to go to toledo and take my yearly plunge :-\ i hope to see you guys up there this sat ....i often ask myself am i a fish ? do i need to run up stream? 8) yes. final answer hahahahhah see ya guys up there
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Got my limit today in 2hrs
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Could any of you guys, that have been fishing the maumee for years, help me to understand what I'm feeling for when a walleye strikes?
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I haven't been fishing it for years but personally believe the majority do not bite. I think they are "lined". That is what makes the floater work so well and long leaders always do good. The fish are swimming along and the line just leads them to be hooked in the outside in near the mouth, legal yes, but do they really bite, I don't think so... Just my opinion. But I think the main thing you need to know is to reel a little bit and don't just let your line roll down stream. When you keep it taught you can feel the fish on your line. I will say some fish bite and you can really feel it and you will catch some.
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The run has been amazing last week to now. Lots of limits coming out, I limited 3 out of five days.
A lot of trash fish moved in quick with the warm water, did some moving around island until I found a good area with less suckers.
Tried Orleans side and just didn't seem to have the same bIte going, moved back to island and slayed them.
Good luck to all it only gets better from here.
JM be patient you will start to get the feel for the fish.
We do need another good heavy rain to bring up water level to push another wave of fish in.
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Anyone fishing this afternoon?
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Is anyone headed to the maumee tomorrow? I'm going to try and get out in the afternoon.
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I did end up going out Sunday evening. I came back with a small 5lb. female. Me and about 15 other guys all thought it was a good size jack. I found out different when I filleted it.
I'll be headed out again on Sunday morning. My brother is coming down from Michigan. If anyone is headed this way send me a message, and maybe we can meet up. We have a fresh run of fish and the action should be pretty good this weekend.
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I'm going these next couple afternoons
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Jmsteele if your going to be around I am going tonight hopin to get there around 4 if I can get someone to go with me
Give me a shout 419-707-2487
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Sounds like you guys are doing well. I took a new job and havnt had much time on the site. How long will they run?
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The eyes should be running through April. They started a little early this year, but I don't think it will end any earlier.
OhioFisher19,
Sorry I missed you. I wouldn't have been able to meet up with you anyways, though. Right now, it looks like I'll probably only be able to make it out on Sundays. I was out at buttonwood most of the day with my brother. He caught one, and I left empty handed. We saw quite a few fish on stringers. Easter Sunday I'll be out of town, but if you want to give it a shot the following Sunday let me know.
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I ended up catching 6 fish in the last ten min! LOL only 4 legals one on last cast!