Burger

1.) Islander Steelheader (Red) Centerpin reel: $350. bought about year ago, used less than 10 times.

2.) Lamiglas Redline 13’ centerspin 4-10lb: $80. Literally never used once 

3.) Blood run skein cane 10-20lb 13’: $50

4.) St croix eyecon 6’6 MLF spinning rod - replaced guide: $40

5.) St croix triumph 7’ MF spinning (replaced guide at tip): $40

6.) TFO Professional 7’6 MF Spinning: $60

7.) Fenwick HMG 7’ MHF spinning: $60

8.) Abu Garcia Revo X Spinning 3000: $60

9.) Shimano sedona 2000 spinning: $40

10.) St Croix Premier 7’ MHF casting rod (never used not even once): $80

11.) Echo Swing Switch 11’6 6wt never used: $100

12.) Orvis Clearwater 11’ 8wt switch: $280

13.) Orvis Battenkill Disc Spey Reel: $120

14.) Orvis Encounter 9’ 8wt: $40

15.) Orvis Encounter 10’ 7wt: $50

Local pickup in Buffalo (city) or Ship if you pay. There’s just too many pics to post, if you’re interested in something and serious about it I’ll gladly take pics and send. 

Text 716.597.5469

I’ve been thinking the same thing as far as reports…why there haven’t been any I really don’t know. But, the above comment is exactly what I’ve been experiencing the last month. About a month ago there were tons of shaker kings. They seem to have thinned out. Out in 400-500fow the steelhead and coho bite has been quite good for us. Mostly spoons all in top 60ft. we also have noticed our fish hawk showing 41-43 degree water only 50-55ft down. Have only boated one mature king in last 4 weekends and was only a high teen. There’s been a couple in the 6-10lb range also. But yes, need to get the reports for Wilson and Olcott going regularly again!!

Mature kings have been tough for us last 3 weeks. Been some excellent offshore steelhead and coho though. 400-500 fow straight out of wilson. spoons have been best, but f/fs have taken a few also. only ran meat twice, nada both times. Couple of the coho were good 13-15lbers. This last weekend we got our only mature king (maybe 18-20lb) of the last 3 weeks. Came on wire diver with spoon about 130’ line out over 440 fow. last weekend the water was 42 degrees 50’ down….

Maybe I’m just not in the know enough, but i’m not seeing any recent reports out of Wilson, or anything substantive out of Olcott…has it been slow? Wanted to head up tomorrow preferably to wilson but would do olcott if it’s noticeably better! 

Thanks appreciate any input whatsoever 

probably saw me, I was out. Only fished for a little more than an hour - didn’t get any. ran 2 flat lines with long shallow bay rats behind the boards in the same 8-12 fow in and out of the mud line. least u hooked up. biggest was 16” ?

2 hours ago, jimski2 said:

I was slammed into the ice trapped between the power plant flumes and thought I knocked rivets out of my boat. There are plenty of trout and salmon taken drifting along the bottom for miles all the way to Fort Niagara. Be safe, going above the power plants is thrilling but there are just as many fish in the lower river.

man thats scary. agreed, i tend to only hit devils when art park, fort, and bar aren’t producing. 

8 hours ago, Jomat said:

Not a captain but a rec boater who has fished there with guides but never had the stones to go myself.  Interested in your experience with the 90hp.  I assumed that would be underpowered.  Most of the guys up there have larger outboards.

 

 Is there a specific line you like to take?

 

Seems like there’s a lot of bad water up there to be driving around with your bow up/transom down (not on plane).  How important is hole shot?/time to plane in that swirly water?

Yes, most of the captains have well above what I do, however there’s also 2 I can think of who have 18’ with a 90hp and take clients up to devils regularly. 

When I do it, I always go by feel and am watching carefully for whirlpools. I tend to start and stay on the canadian side from Lewiston-Queenston bridge to past the power plants, then go over to US side for the devils drift. For me, my key factors of it being doable are water level and winds. When the levels are high, it’s much more frightening and I don’t go anymore. I go slow, but not too slow. I often will slow down or speed up, or cut my wheel to make it thru some rough patches. If you ever go, you’ll notice in the middle of the plants a wake forms as the two currents from each east-west facing hydro plants meet each other. I always avoid that and stay to the side. Also, once I’m approaching the staircase by the NYPA platform I’m done. Engine gets turned on and drift is over. I feel that drifting into the power plant waters transom first is obviously a danger…I’m much more weary of going up nowadays. But, when conditions are right, I’ve had a few trips up where I was pleasantly surprised how easy and safe it was. 

As a newer angler to the area, I wasn’t able to find much of anything on forums about boat safety in the lower Niagara - particularly getting up to devils hole. 

I have an 18’ lund with a 90hp mercury, and have safely gotten up into devils maybe 7-8 times. I was hesitant to even try, but spoke with a few captains and got the nod. 

Purpose of this topic is to provide some searchable info on boat safety for people wanting to navigate the treacherous water between the hydro plants. I’ve seen many many people in VERY small boats up there. The niagara has unfortunately chewed up a few people lately, and feel like this would be good to have around. 

Was hoping to get some veterans or captains to chime in on basic safety pointers, boat requirements, a possible path or side taken from Lewiston-Queenston bridge up to the devils drift, navigating around the giant whirlpools, water levels/conditions, etc. 

Thanks in advance 

I'm fishing a 16 lund. 2 riggers . can't catch a salmon to save my life!

i always enjoy the reports and pics, ryan adds a different (and refreshing) element by being humble and comedic. Good reads on his website too. He may not go into depth about presentation, locations, etc But considering everyone on here most likely has a boat and knows what they’re doing (more so than average joe) do we really need to read that he did better with spoons than F/F’s? Or that his riggers outperformed divers? programs right now are pretty much the same whoever you talk to or wherever you go and idk about you all but i never seem to do exactly what others did after hearing what worked - always a little different! i swear langlers are turning into a sensitive bunch and social media is just toxic now. and so what if he’s looking for customers? this is america...it’s how he eats...just keep scrolling 🤷‍♂️[emoji1365]


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thanks guys, was pretty sure it was...just wanted to verify with people who know more than me! Aka all of you!

Not sure i’ve ever seen pics or heard of someone catching an atlantic in the niagara. cool little fish!


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one king outta olcott today after about hour hooked up. 80 fow 60 down. lots of marks. trolled west to east


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what i was leaning towards. thought the mouth and spots looked sorta atlantic-ish


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Went to lower niagara after finding 1 decent king out of wilson and caught this little guy drifting a bead. this a baby atlantic?

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When snags with spoons happen in shallow nearshore water at this time of the early season consider using stickbaits. They float up when making turns or stopping for snags. Your fishing time increases when you can avoid stopping for snags.

I ran those for eyes several years ago, nice looking rod but the gold colored eyelits began falling out, kinda weak eyelit altogether.. Kings will prolly destroy them
 
I also think those 8.6 rods will be to stiff for the rigger, I ran 2pc 7.6 Okuma dypsie/rigger rods with convector 30s for my rigger set-up...
 
I'm not a pro so there is that...

I consider slow is as the flex of the rod starts just above reel seat . I have a few rods with slower action that I use for spring Brown's that I put away when I'm after kings . But I used them for years and got kings on them . 
 
What you have are designed by Okuma to be downrigger rods so they should be perfect 

Biggest trick that time of year is the water is not set up ..so spread it out..short cores to riggers divers , cover water you.will catch fish on deepest set and on the highest line. Info best on spoons but also get fish on deep diving sticks on boards and always toss a flasher fly in the mix.

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I started a discussion a while back on this topic and it had some good info if you can find it and read through it. Were booked for weekend of may 15th itll be our first trip too. The tournament is going on that weekend so prolly gonna be a little busy

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I’ve gathered a good bit of info from earlier posts, but wanted to specifically ask if there’s any tips you all would give someone who will be doing this for the first time?

Background - I have 2 rigger set ups, 2 braid dipsy (65lb PP), and 2 wire dipsy set ups, various bayrat mag spoons & 3.5 spoons, maglips, flasher/fly, and meat rigs. Also have 2 leadcore setups and rods for planer boards.

Any tips about timeline, presentation, depth, would be super helpful!

Thanks

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god, that sucks. what a scum bag whoever stole that. i hope you get some luck and it finds its way back to you !


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I would think they should be perfect . 
I don't like them too  slow so you can muscle up the bigger kings and Lakers . 

 
What model are the rods? 30 series reels are perfect.

So after looking thru some forums, I think I may have messed up with my selection on downrigger rods.

I bought 2 okuma blue diamond 8’6m (12-25lb) with convector 30s for my salmon rigger set ups...the taper said mod. slow so I thought that would be good for the rigger, but it seems sort of stiff when I bend it myself. Will these be ok??

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No worries with twilli