BassFishingOhio.com

This post was taken from my friend’s Rick’s website that I posted there and thought some may want to read.  Please visit the thread at his forum for more information:

http://fishtalkfishingreports.yuku.com/topic/2941

Buckeye is really shallow the average depth is only 3 foot. Like Joe said it is mostly mud and the water clarity in most places is very stained. I have heard of a couple of spots in the lake where the water clarity is almost crystal clear but that is a new thing, it never was before. There are some nice bass, catfish, walleye, crappie and musky in the lake among other fish. The state netted two catchfish that went over 50 pounds a few weeks ago according to the paper. Joe, my fishing partner caught one that went over 30 pounds a few years ago there. The lake is almost 7 miles long.
Bill, I believe the amusement park at Buckeye shut down in the late 60′ or early 70’s. People from all over the country came there in the 20’s and 30’s even some people from Chicago who you might not want around ie. Dillinger and etc. They had a place to dance called the Crystal Ballroom that was very well-known, it had a big crystal ball that reflected light all over the people and the walls.. They had one of the biggest roller coasters at the time, it was made out of wood and went over the lake. The roller coaster collapsed one time and if I remember right 7 people were killed when they fell in the lake.

They had boat rides on Crist Crafts and one was called the Northern Star, my mother went out on it and came back to shore, the very next ride on it, the boat blew up. They also had two big paddle wheel boats that gave rides, from the last I heard they ended up on the Ohio River. Even in the 50’s when I was a kid the amusement park was a big thing but starting in the late 50’s or early 60’s it was on its way out.

As Jim said Buckeye was part of the Ohio Erie Canal System. The Canal that goes through Millersport was part of that system. I used to have pictures of mules dragging barges down the canal and the bridge right in the middle of Millersport used to be a covered bridge. If you go down Deep Cut Road in Millersport, all that canal there was part of the Ohio Erie Canal and goes towards Baltimore, Ohio. It took workers years, if not decades to make Buckeye Lake, they had to fight the mosquites, diseases, snakes and animals and parts of it was nothing but a swamp. even when I was a little kid in the late 50’s people went to a woods on the North side of Millersport and came back with sacks full of rattlesnakes. I know my dad told me never go to those woods but since I’m not afraid of snakes, I of course, had to check it out LOL

They had a marsh that grew wild cranberries, that is how that part of the lake called Cranberry Marsh got it’s name. If you go to Onion Island and look South that is the towpath, it goes towards Southbank Road, the mules would drag the barges through there too as it’s only a foot or two deep right there. The path goes clear across the lake, I believe.

Cold Weather Bass Fishing In Late Fall By Charles E. White

When late fall comes around most anglers slow down on their fishing. Yes, the catch may be slower but you have to remember one thing…..the last thing a bass wants to do in the late fall is go deep, even with a cold front as long as their plenty of shallow cover. Wood is an excellent place for bass in the late fall, especially submerged and laydown trees.

Jigs, spinnerbaits, small crankbaits like the Little N, all are good lures to use at this time of year. Fishing pockets is also very productive this time of year. Remember to fish a spinnerbait lengthways down a submerged tree and lead the lure using your rod so it bumps off of big limbs from the tree.

Try using SuspenDots on the crankbaits to catch those suspended fish. Fish the trees by points and coves. Fish slower and don’t run from spot to spot but fish an area thoroughly. If you can fish trees submerged where one end is in about 7-9 feet of water, make sure you fish it.

Try deadsticking a Senko, I have had a lot of luck in late fall with this method, fish it slow and let it set for a little longer than you think you should.

Overall, the best I have done is with a little crankbait with a SuspenDot and fishing submerged trees on a point in fairly shallow water. Just because the temperature is lower doesn’t mean you can’t have a good day of fishing even if you have a cold front to
go along with it.

Joe and I went fishing at Oakthorpe last Sunday and thought we were going to do good as Joe got a strike from shore before we launched the boat.  I had a little strike that hit the pads below my frog when we first started, we were saying to each other how many we were going to catch.  Joe said 3 each and I said 4 each……well, we caught none each, we didn’t even have a good strike let alone catch anything. 

This is the first time all year that I was skunked at Oakthorpe.

I have been to Oakthorpe twice this week and was the only one there, I think most people have quit fishing for the year which is a shame since you can still catch nice bass.  Monday I caught 4 bass with 3 of them weighing 2-3 1/2 ponds and Sunday I caught this 4 1/2 pounder while fishing with my fishing partner Joe.

Well, I have kicked Joe’s butt for the last 6 times that we have went out, sorry Joe haha  Actually, while that is true it doesn’t really matter, we try to help each other catch fish on all of our outtings.  For instance, if one of us sees a wake while the other’s lure is in the water we tell each other and even let the other one catch our fish.  Joe is better at using the tube for a follow-up then I am after a blow up on topwater.  So, if I get a strike on topwater and miss it, I tell Joe to use his tube and try to catch it, which he does a pretty good job at.  While it’s fun to tease each other about who caught what…..We do really try to help each other catch fish and just have a good time every time we go out.

Here is a 4 1/2 pounder I caught Sunday, October 5, 2008 on a Green and White Scum Frog.

I went fishing at Oakthorpe Monday for the first time in over a month and had a decent day.  I started out fishing a SPRO frog in the pads and had no hits at all, matter of fact, it seemed the frog was scarring more fish than anything, so I went to using my old stand by, the Scum Frog and caught 4 bass.  Three of the bass went between 2 to 3 1/2 pounds with one weighing about a half pound or less.

I thought Monday would be a good day to go as a cold front was approaching for Tuesday and was supposed to last most of the week.

The Best Places In Southwest Florida To Fish

This is for those that go to Florida to get out of the cold and to fish for bass.

First, let me tell you a secret…….if you want more of a chance to catch a trophy size bass..10 pounds plus, try live shiners. For those like me, who wouldn’t use a live bait even for a 20 pound bass then read on.

The Big T

Take Golden Gate Parkway to the end (going East) and turn left, go to Golden Gate Blvd. and turn right. Take Golden Gate Blvd to Everglades Blvd and turn right again. Take Everglades Blvd almost to the end and you’ll see a primitive boat ramp on your left and usually some people fishing or camping. (about 8-10 miles from turning on this road)

Once you’re in the water and heading out go to the right and fish that canal. I have caught some nice bass here using Zoom chartruese pepper lizard, Charlie’s Twitchin Shad, salt and pepper and Berkly Blue fleck Power Worms.

Again, this is a great place to use shiners and have seen many 10 pound plus bass taken from here.

Golden Gate Canals

When on Golden Gate Parkway (not Blvd) and you’re going east, you’ll pass a bridge and see a big field with many cars or trucks on the right. You’ll also see a primitive boat ramp. Put your boat in there and go left from the boat ramp. You’ll come to a big opening, try fishing the little lake, so to speak there, then try the canals.

I have seen 10 pound plus bass taken from the little lake and canals both. Don’t be surprised if you hook a nice tarpon or snook in the canals or lake, they are land locked and adapted to freshwater.

Again, for the live bait fisherman, this a great for shiners. I have used a Berkley Blue Fleck Worm, white buzzbaits and spinners here with great success.

Once you get to the main canal, you can go left again and go under the bridge and get to some good fishing where the canal bends about a mile from where you get in the main canal. It’s pretty primitive out there with some nice fish.

Be careful right before you get to the bridge as sometimes it gets pretty shallow there. So go Slow by the bridge.

Seven Lakes

If you take 75 towards the east coast of Florida and go through the toll-booth, the next exit is route 29. Once you get there, turn right. Go about a hundred yards and you’ll see a fence with a dirt road. There are seven little lakes there and any of them are good fishing. The one I like best is the last one on the right.

This again is great for shiners. I have caught bass on buzzbaits, spinners and Charlie’s Twitchin shad there.

I heard the state might have closed this down to public fishing but it’s worth checking out just incase they haven’t.

Okeechobee

What can you say about Okeechobee that hasn’t been said? You have to try this huge lake. Shiners of course is the best bait but I had good look with Charlie’s Twitchin Shad there and Zoom Lizards.

I like the East end of the lake the best.

Mile Marker 52 on 75

If you go toward the East coast on 75 from Naples, when you hit mile marker 75, you’ll see an opening with a dirt road (pay attention or you’ll miss it.), go down the dirt road and go under the bridge you just went over and launch your boat there.

Once in the water, go left (South), you’ll see a big sign that says “no tresspassing”. This is Indian property. Go on down the canal, but DO NOT FOR ANY REASON go on the land. The Indians own the land but not the waterways.

Start fishing on the left side of the canal. Try using a zoom Chartruese 6″ Lizard. The water will be shallow at the edges but there is a shelf within a few feet that is like 10 foot deep.

This is without a doubt one of the best places I have ever fished for bass. It’s nothing to catch 20 bass a day here. I have one that is 6 1/2 pounds from here. I kept it because a gator decided he wanted it too.

Oh yeah, that is another thing, there are thousands of gators in the canal here.

This is my list of places to fish in Southwest Florida.

Try them, I think you’ll like them.

Well, it’s been a rough month for me as far as bass fishing goes, first, I pulled my back out and couldn’t fish and then I was in a motorcycle accident on 9/11/2008.  As a result, instead of fishing 2-3 times a week, I haven’t fished in about a month and I am having bass fishing withdrawal symptoms.  I wake up in the morning and look outside and see the nice weather and start to shake all over thinking about going bass fishing. 

I suppose the only solution is to get a fix of going bass fishing.   Hopefully, I’ll be going soon!

Fall Fishing For Bass

This is one of my favorite times of year to fish for bass. Why? Well, the water temperatures are cooling off, the bass are coming back in the shallows and I have hooked a lot of damn nice bass in the fall.

We all know during the summer when the water gets hot, bass are less likely to be in the shallows except in the early morning and toward evening. The same isn’t true in the fall. Once the water temperatures drop, the bass can be in shallow water any time of day. This makes for a little easier fishing.

This is also one of my favorite times to use topwater lures. I use big topwater lures in the fall and have caught some really nice fish. One of my favorites to use is the Heddon’s Meadow Mouse. While they don’t manufacture this lure anymore, I did get a couple of them on eBay at a pretty good price. If you have been reading this blog, you’ll know why I paid so much for them. If not, look in the archives of this blog.

One of the biggest fish I have ever hooked in Ohio was in the fall on topwater. I know it had to be over 10 pounds. Since, I have a 12 pound 14 ounce on my wall, I know what a 10 pound bass looks like. While a 10 pounded is more common in Florida, one this size is Ohio is pretty rare in comparison.

I like to use a buzzbait in the fall too. Especially early fall when the water the high 70’s-low 80’s range. While you can use a buzzbait anytime the water temps are 50+, I prefer these temperature a little higher.

Know what a prop bait looks like? You know, the ones with a propellor on one end or both ends. I have had excellent success with these in the fall. Matter of fact, when I was a kid, I caught the biggest bass of my life. My brother had caught a carp and my bass was a lot bigger than his carp. My dad who was in his 70’s at the time said it was the biggest bass he had ever seen. Of course, no one cared to weight it, but they did take the time to eat it and even then it bothered me for them to eat a bass and I wasn’t even a teenage yet.

I use these prop baits a little different than most people as I have my own technique for topwater lures.
When you do fish topwater, fish the lure slower than usual, especially when the water temps gets below 70 or less.

If you’re one of those people who slow down you’re fishing because it’s fall, you are missing out on some of the best fishing of the year. Believe me!

Kevin Wirth, after a 14 year dry spell won the Elite series at Old Hickory Lake a few months back.  We would like to congratualte Kevin, not only for winning but for never giving up and showing us that he has a winner’s attitude in persistence.

If you ever meet Kevin, you will find out he’s one of the nicest guys on the tournament trail and someone who treats everyone with respect.  Again…Congratulations Kevin!

You may think sometimes that the lure you’re using is too big to catch bass but in most cases it isn’t to big at all.  Here is what I mean by that….a bass that is 14 1/2 inches long can eat a bass that is over 7 inches long.  A bass that is 18 1/2 inches long and weighs about 3 1/2 pounds can eat a bluegill nearly 7 inches long and a bass almost 11 inches long.  Also a bigger bass that weighs 7 pounds and 22 1/2 inches long can eat a bluegill almost 9 inches long and a bass almost 14 inches long.

As you can see the more slender the prey is the bass eats, the longer the prey can be up to a certain length.  It really doesn’t take a big bass to eat a big lure.  On the average a 14 inch bass weighs about a pound.  A 20 inch bass weighs a little over 4 1/2 pounds and a 23 inch bass weighs a little over 7 pounds in general.

Next time you think the lure that you’re using is too big to catch a bass….think again!