Susky River Rat

For awhile they closed down bass season during spawn on the susky because it was a disaster. In the main branch it’s still catch and release only all year. You also are not allowed to make repeated casts at bed fish. Other than brood stock lakes no other fish in PA had this protection. I believe this is because the susky is a cash cow for out of state fishermen.

I wish I could catch bass too

Awesome job! Hard work, dedication, and skill all paid off. You’ve made all of us proud here.

In PA trout is king. “Fishing season” is trout season. Where grown men fight over fish stocked in those waters a month before hand. People LIVE for trout opening day of trout. I would say catfishing here is over running bass. Then walleye/musky are about even. Maybe even musky having the edge since there is more musky water than walleye water. I think over all bass are fun you can catch enough in a day usually to make it enjoyable. The fight is great. At the very core it’s cheap. We bass heads make it expensive. You can go spend $100 tops at Walmart and go catch bass.

All skill no scope! @ol'crickety I read an article they made spy catfish controlled by remote control for a government agency. Made it swim just like a real fish. Looks like they beat you to the punch with your decoy bass for scopers.

I use 832. I have tried PP before and didn’t care for it at all. If I was looking to go with a better line I would run cortland masterbraid

Good luck and keep pounding them! #noscopenation

Every fishing story gets bigger and better the more time goes by. Whoever said a bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work has never been in my shoes at times. Never fish angry. Hook sets are free.

I love the tranx 150 200 and 500

I learned if you ain’t scopin you’re just hopin

@Bruce424 I’ve never had any killer days there but, I’ll usually get into at least one. I’m also all hope no scope.

I’ve caught two musky in 3 casts in chocolate milk water in an area I could cast frsm bank to bank. Ned rigs for smallies crush them no matter the color. Muddy water effects YOU more than it effects how the fish will react.

@Dwight Hottle thanks buddy! This time of year can be feast or famine for me.

Some call it junk fishing. I call it a progression. Generally I start with faster moving baits and progress all the way to jigs if I am not getting bit. Also if I am in an area throwing cranks/spinners/top water etc. the area seems to die out I will throw a Ned rig or tube in hopes to get any neutral fish in the area to eat. The key which can be dictated a lot on weather is learning when to move on. Get about a handful of techniques and get proficient in them. Maybe have 1-3 more that you know you can catch fish but, aren’t your go to. You can drown yourself in the endless rigs, set ups, baits and techniques. Keep it simple. Also given the chance fish with some better people than you. Keep logs of weather conditions, moon phase, time of year, bait, water depth/temp may help you give you a starting point.

I use the Yamaha marine stuff. Same stuff I use to grease my jet bearing after every use. That basically sits in water the whole time I use my boat.

@TnRiver46 i have heard that. I’ve also heard bluegills hang around mud bottoms because of insects. I personally stay away from mud bottoms if I can.

@Pat Brown he doesn’t meant water clarity from what I gather. He is talking about the bottom. I do love fishing muddy water as well. I do not like fishing mud bottoms

Something that stuck with me was why eat off the grass when you can eat off a a plate. When they feed it’s easier to pin or eat something off the bottom on a hard surface over a muddy one

@TnRiver46 I was up a creek. The river was about 10ft from flood stage but, I don’t go out on it much more higher than what that was. Most people don’t go out on it at all the level it was at when I was there. @The Bassman I was planning on them being just outside the creeks not up them yet. About a month ahead of normal. That’s a neat little rig glad you are crushing it.

@ol'crickety oh I do! It’s part of the fun. Just wish sometimes it wouldn’t take so long.

I use the pedal 98% of the time for smallies. I love and die by spot lock. However there are casing I fish out of the back of my boat and use the remote.

The susky was running 8.5’ on the Harrisburg gauge. 50 degree temps. Water clarity was 8-10 inches. I started off my day focusing on the current seams where the creeks met the river. I threw chatter baits, ned rig, jerkbait and drop shot. To no avail. I switched to a crank bait and started working my way up into the creeks. cranking as fast as I could against the current started producing. The current was pretty swift and the creeks were not down to much. This was very very early for this pattern. I had a solid day but, wish I would have figured it out sooner.

The susky was producing well with the high water.

Where at in PA are you? Your name is river fisherman have you considered getting a small Jon boat with a removable jet outboard? It’s not ideal “bass boat” but would get you on the water in your own vessel.

That’s interesting. I love and gene really do my best during that time. Cold or warm water.