Niagaraguy

Nice fatties Dwight

Nice big smallie you got there Dwight. I haven't been able too get out on this end of the lake yet, but that pics got me really chomping on the bit. Rob

Charlie I don't fish Dunkirk I'm usually fishing east of that area closer to Buffalo. I haven't been able to get out yet, water temps are just getting into the upper 30's low 40's. Today the winds are crazy here today gale force 50 knots from the south west Erie waves 8 - 12 feet. I booked a weeks vacation May 14 -24(full moon period) full moon 17th.Should be prime conditions by then (I hope). A buddy of mine was out yesterday and they ended the day with 15 smallies acouple over 5lbs. They could not fish the water they wanted too zero visibilty they had too find green water deeper. Hope this helps Rob

I'm just wondering who fish's Erie's east end out of Buffalo/Fort Erie ? Also when do you think we'll be able to get out on the water this spring ? When will the Army Corp's remove the ice boom this spring ? Personally I'm dying to go Smallie fishing right now, but I'm hoping for a late spring. Last year I was out the first week of April which was nice but the water got too warm to fast.By the time the season open on the Ontario side all the shallow fish were gone and I love fishing shallow. :'( Anyway who all fishs this end of Erie ? Here's my rig if you see me out there stop by and say Hi. Rob (Niagaraguy)

Don I use 20LB Power Pro and a 12lb P-Line floro leader of about 7' long. I'm fishing my jerks on a 7' med. fast St.Croix Avid. Thats what I used that week that I was telling you about. Rob

I need to upgrade my electronics this year(bow & dash) and was looking at the Lowrance Elite5 Gold. These are the units that come preloaded with the Navionics Gold cards(not the DSI units). Anyone using these units? I would like to hear any comments good or bad. I will be using these in really clear water most of the time. I'm looking to get the best views of the bottom looking for hard/soft transition areas and fish tight too bottom. Also for suspended bait/fish. I welcome all comments pro or con. Thanks Rob

Check out the lineup of bluegill baits from Koppers Live Target. Grant has cranks,wake bait ,and trap style Bluegills http://livetargetlures.com/index.php

St.Croix Mojo Dropshot great rod in your price range

Thanks guys. Dwight, my dad does dam well for his age, I have pick the days carefully depending on the wind forecasts. If the lake is to rough then we'll fish the river. We usaully just drag tubes or drop shot (his shoulders and elbows wont let throw jerks or traps to long).He got his first drop shot fish last year. Bluebasser86, ya I'm blessed I live in a great fishing area. I'm surrounded by great water 10 minutes north I've got Lake Ontario great Salmon & Trout. 15 minutes east and I'm at the Lower Niagara River it's loaded with trophy sized fish, Bass,Walleye, & Muskies. In the fall the Salmon & Trout (Stealhead,Browns, & Lakers) run up the river from lake Ontario to spawn. The Stealhead and Browns will stay for the winter.30 minutes south I've got Lake Erie/Upper Niagara river and we all know that it's Smallie/Walleye factory. Jigfishn10 we always have a good time. I try to get him out as much as possible. He took me all the time when I was young, now I take him. Rob

Here's some pics from last year Heres a 5+lber from Erie Another Erie fish Here's my 84 year old Dad with a 4+lber from Erie Heres a 9lb 10 oz Lower Niagara Eye Heres a 36" (13-15lbs)Stealhead from the Lower Niagara I hope you enjoyed the pics Rob

Supremes for sure

Don if your willing too buy a New York State fishing licence, you won't have too wait till the end of June to catch some Erie smallies. Let me know and we'll get out for the NY State trophy season in May. Rob

HSD I hit Erie every chance I get. As soon as the ice is gone I'm fishing the NY State waters.I love fishing the shallow water jerkbait/rattletrap fish. Rob

Hey HSD nice too see another Canuck on the board. I'm just south of you in the St.Catharines area. Do ever come down to fish lake Erie? Rob

Thanks Dude I'll take a look at those Rob

I looking too pick up a new spinning rod for jigging spoons. I'm just wondering what others are using ? I will be putting Pflueger Supreme with 10lb Power Pro and a floro leader on it. I hope to be spending no more than $150. What do you guys suggest ? Thanks Rob

Last year I picked up a Shimano Compre TC4 crankbait rod just for throwing lipless cranks.I grabbed the 7' med 8-17lb 1/4-3/4oz mediumfast. This rod was paired up with a Diawa Supertuned Advantage. I absolutely love throwing my Aruku Shads with this set up. Rob

Xraps 10's Olive Green & Yellow Perch Aruku shads size75 Spooky Shad, Perch & Wild Shiner Tubes Various colours

Vinny of the 3 sizes I prefer the 75 (the middle size). I love throwing them over rock piles or rocky flats. I'll fish them fast anywhere from 3' and deeper. Rob

I have done very well with the Spro Aruku Shad rattlin' baits on the clear waters of Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River. Natural patterns work best Perch,Spooky shad And Golden shiner. Also like Ern said burn them.

My apologies for not posting any reports sooner but both my parents have gone thru surgery in the last month,and I have been busy helping them out as much as possible and trying too work 12 hr shifts. Anyway I have been out a couple of times a week ago I fished the lower Niagara river, I fished the mouth of lake Ontario at Fort Niagara. Found the Smallies stacked up in shallow water 7'-11' and they were hungry put 25-30 fish in the boat almost all caught on x raps and a few on tubes.Biggest was 4lbs 10 oz. Went back 4 days later the fish seemed to have disappeared nothing shallow found a couple deep 20'-25' dragging tubes. Got maybe 7 smallies nothing big maybe 3lbs biggest. Fished the upper Niagara river /Lake Erie yesterday found some fish shallow on a reef with 12'fow around it topping out at 6' x raps and rattle traps were working.Went deeper later found some fish dragging tubes 20'-23'. Ended yesterday in the upper Niagara river drop shotting gulp minnows.Nothing big landed. Ihave pics but I don't have enough posts to put any up. Thanks for reading Rob

Bluesky thanks I'm running braid and 7' flouro leader.

Thanks for the replies guys I will be sure too try this tricks out. Munkin you are right about them turning away once they see the boat. I have been making long casts with the olive green x rap(erie and niagara smallies love the olive x raps). I'll try speeding up my retrieve and see if that trips their trigger.I'm also going too try some rattle traps that I've recently drilled and glued the rattles in place so they will be silent. I'll be out the next 2 days trying these tips I'll let you guys know how things go. Thanks Rob

Thanks for the warm welcome gentlemen.I'll be out on Erie or the upper Niagara tomorrow and the following day(Friday). I'll post my results. Thanks Rob

I've been fishing the upper Niagara river from Buffalo too Niagara Falls and since the Canadian opener the water has been ultra clear. I'm talking 20 feet plus of visibility.I love fishing shallow 4'-12' throwing jerkbaits and rattle traps. I'm still catching a some fish early mornings (5;30 start) but once the sun up high all I'm getting is follows sometimes 3-4 smallies at a time. Anyone have any tips too convert the followers into eaters. Thanks Rob