BuffaloBass716

For you upper Niagara guys, what water temp do you start targeting pre-spawn smallies? I was digging through some old photos from last year and my first bass was on April 22 and the water temp was about 42 degrees. Hoping to get out soon, as most of you probably are..

Yeah, I happens every year around this time. Plus, the cotton wood blowing around at ellicott creek binds up your eyelets on rods too... next few weeks will really be terrible.

RIVER & CANAL UPDATE: The upper river has been brutal lately, for smallmouth at least. I seen a few on beds near boat launches and near the shore so I'm guessing most are in the spawning mode now and not eating. However there has been a lot more activity considering other fish species. Tons of perch have moved in, most being very small, few sunnies, and schools of larger baitfish(might be chubbs) and suckers. The overflow pond has had quite a bit of action lately too, mostly bedding bass, but some roamers. The bluegill have returned in full force and hundreds of smaller baitfish are in there. Even saw a small pike in the shallows just hanging out. I can't wait until they are done spawning but I heard that they sprayed chemicals in the canal and overflow pond to kill the invasive weeds, which is why there are none in there yet... This kind of sucks because I doubt there will be any decent bass in there once they are done spawning because there wont be any cover. Any of you guys know anything about them spraying to kill the weeds?

Wow, I had no idea you could catch walleye there. What did you catch them on?

Was out the other day on the river when two muskies were swimming back and forth right on the shoreline, probably pairing out to spawn. They were both pretty big and could careless that I was basically right in their way. Just a pretty awesome sight to see, knowing that giants are in the river, and continuing to breed.

I guess I was just looking at the new colors and not the type of braid.

Anyone use this new stuff yet? Is it different than their 832?

The Smallmouth fishing has died down for me within the last week. They might be pairing up to spawn and stopped eating. For largemouth, there are tons at the overflow pond, problem is that they are on beds already and paired up too. I managed 3 today by ticking them off. Most are around 2lbs but I can't believe that they are spawning already. It seemed like the water went from 40 to 55 in like a week. How have you guys been hitting them lately? Has it slowed down for you?

There's definitely some good little spots there that you can catch consistent fish, especially in the spring.

The second picture was at the foot of sheridan, and the first one was at Isle View Park. All on a dropshot.

The river was good to me today. Went out this morning until lunch time to some of my productive spots. Managed 8 decent smallmouth and missed 3 more, the best two are in the pictures, guessing both were pushing 4lbs. All fish were super healthy and above keeper size and they were all caught on the same rig. The bite itself was so subtle for all the fish that it just felt like weight on the end of the line until I set the hook. It's looking like they are really becoming more active but this weekend's weather looks awful, hoping that it doesn't screw everything up for next week. Anyone else find any big browns today?

I also found a productive spot for smallmouth, last spring it gave up a 20" monster... same story this year. They seemed to be stacked up in this spot, its near baitfish hugging the shore line and the bottom is full of big rocks. Hopefully heading out all day tomorrow to a few river spots and maybe the overflow pond.

Yes. Only if you don't get caught. I used to fish them a few summers ago, at night. The good ponds are on the actual golf course and they don't allow it, but I don't see why not when it's dark out. There's some weird stuff in some of those ponds though... both fish and other things.

Headed to the river today, hopefully I be able to get on a few fish. Looks like it'll be a great day

I've heard good things about that place. Never tried it but I've seen a ton of people fishing there in the spring last year. Let us know how you do there.

At Beaver Island, do you fish the river or that small shallow area that people kayak around? Also, can you fish both ponds at Walton Woods park? I've fished the smaller one before... caught a few dinks

Yeah, Its a solid spot from spring to the fall. I even manage some decent smallies during the heat of the summer, when most fish head out to the lake. Most people stray away once the weeds grow in, but I have a few way to get around them and I know were the fish tend to hangout.

Hmmm, tubes in the creek? I've never tried that. That smallmouth was at the foot of sheridan, at near the boat launch

So recently I've been using inline spinners a lot because they catch just about everything and they are pretty versatile. I was wondering if you guys can give some tips on how to run them at different depths without increasing the size of them? I'm having trouble knowing how deep it is running because I don't want it running to high and I don't want it hitting the bottom. Also, what are some of your favorite ones? size and color?

What were they biting on for you? As for river smallmouth, I managed this hog in the river this past friday. Pre spawn belly with huge shoulders on her. Very healthy fish, she's covered in foam, I didn't get a chance to wash it off before the picture but the colors were amazing.

Were any of you guys at the overflow pond at ellicott creek on friday afternoon? I managed to get out for the first time this year and saw a few guys there. Nobody caught anything while I was there but I did get one on an inline spinner so I felt like I accomplished something good.

Smallies in the Niagara absolutely crush the margarita mutilator (purple) roboworms for some reason

Have any of you guys tried the place near Town line road? I've heard someone mention that name but dont know exactly where it is?

So I have no experience making any type of lures but these novelty lures seem fun to make, plus I drink a ton of different craft beers. I don't expect much with these if I decided to use them, but again its more for the fun of making something out of what would normally be trash and catching a fish on something I actually made would be very rewarding. Anyways, do you guys have any tips on how to make these? What would I need? Also, let me know if you've had any luck with a certain way of making them more successful.