Jump to content

Just got back from Clayton ... arggghhhhhhhhh


Recommended Posts

Just got back from Clayton ... arggghhhhhhhhh

Been fishing Clayton area since the early 80's - several times a year.  Used to fish tournaments up there, so lets just say I'm not a novice at fishing the bays and islands for pike and largemouth - never learned to fish deep for smallies like alot of guys do nowdays.   I'm old enough to remember how much better the fishing was before the clear water.   

So fished 5 days, covered a ton of water & the grand total consisted of 2 little smallies under a foot, no largemouth, no pike.    No exaggeration - worst fishing I've seen ... EVER.   I can't recall getting flat skunked ever on the river - happened almost every day.   Wouldn't touch the usual money baits such as topwater, spinnerbaits of all shapes & sizes, senko's off/under docks, crankbaits, twister tail grubs.    Fished all the usual weedy spots a mile or two in all directions from Clayton - from a foot to 15 ft deep.    Weather was perfect first 4 days of the trip.   It's been a bit colder than average last couple weeks, so it's NOT like a big nasty cold front came in right before I arrived in NY and shut the bite off like a switch - fish should have acclimated to the slightly colder temps.

Just curious if anybody has an explanation for this historical lousey fishing ?    I really don't know if the fish have all moved to deep water now that the zebra mussels have made the entire seaway crystal clear (I'm sure this applies for smallmouth, I just can't believe pike and largemouth have moved out of the weeds/bays to deep water); or perhaps the historic high water this spring/summer has messed up the entire ecosystem (thus, killed the bite); or has the goby infestation completely changed the food chain; or if I just need to change my ways and start fishing deeper (if thats the case, I'll take up golf - I've always hated fishing deep).

I don't think I could take it if a bunch of fellas here respond that it has been the best fishing in years up on the St. Lawrence - please, for my sanity ... say it isn't so  shocked

Edited by Imbit
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did well the last 2 days drop shotting in 15 ft of water around Clayton. Landed 9 smallmouth and 2 pike in about 4 hrs worth of fishing. I have noticed though that they want the drop shot more than lures that are retrieved. Could be the cold front that just moved through too


Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My uncle was up for 2 days with 2 others they were up around the Odgensburg area and got skunked. So they headed over to their Oswegotchi camp and did well with the smallies. Very cold had frost Thursday evening, since things have been less than stellar. I talked to them tonight, if things don't pick up their headed home Tuesday. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Talked to a friend and the guide he fished with a week ago and their group caught 100 smallmouths fishing worms on the Canadian side across from Alex Bay. (They actually lost count at 80) Another friend caught about 10 smallmouths one morning in deep water on worms, one over 5 lbs near Alex Bay. Lots of walleyes also being caught.


Sent from my iPad using Lake Ontario United

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I noticed a big drop off from past years as well.  I could not find any consistency with the bass.  The ones i caught i had to work hard for, almost all on drop shots.  But the ones i caught have been reel big.  I had my worst year ever with the pike.  Im mostly down closer to cape vincent and i noticed the large weed beds in the bays never really established.  I also fish the clayton area and alex bay area with the same poor results.  I believe (and hope) this year was effected by the cool temps and record high water levels.   Hopefully next year gets back to normal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

THanks guys - sounds like i'll have to change my ways & resurrect the carolina rig - haven't used that since my tournament days.    Fishing deep with the potential of catching something is better than getting skunked.

 

Now, I'm the complete novice at fishing deeper than 20 ft - so I hope some of you guys in the know could help me on how do you fish a carolina rig or slip shot rig from 40-50 ft deep - do you bother to cast it out or just vertical jig it at those depths ?

 

Thanks again -

 

John

Edited by Imbit
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am heading to Clayton area end of Sept weekend with wife.  We have never been there.  We want to do some fun fishing.  I usually fish Lake Erie central basin and troll spoons, crankbaits with inline planer board, weights or dipseys for walleye.  Do these techniques work around the weed bed edges or deeper water for walleye, pike or smallmouth?  Looks like we may have to learn dropshot fishing.  I'm not good at jigging or using the paddle tail swim baits but have little of everything. May venture out to beach or dock at dusk and throw a few cranks or jerkbaits.  We will be sight seeing most of the visit, but have a boat available for a day and can shore fish.  Just looking for what works to have some fun catching what ever will bite.  Not looking for a cooler full or wall hangers, just fun.  I see on map that Picton Island, Grinder Island, Eel bay and couple other locations mid river on US side are reasonable boat ride from our cottage.  Any advice on how to spend one day for fun fishing would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance for ideas.  Chris

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I fished here all week. The only slow day was Tuesday. I caught a ton of pike and a fair number of lmb casting near shore in weeds. Real near shore,like within a cast. Early and late was the best. During the day I picked off a few pike trolling crankbaits over 20-30 fow. I fished from round island to cedar point.IMG_4750.PNGIMG_4728.JPGIMG_4742.JPGIMG_4745.JPG those two baits caught all the casting fish. That shoreline is the first bay past cedar point heading to clayton. I caught fish in front of that for sale sign a lot. About 5 feet from shore.


Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, old man said:

Red eye still the best pike bait ever.


Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

 

Gold, silver does it matter some days??  Just curious... PAP

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...