Lower Niagara Smallmouth

[archman]

Last year we fished the lower niagara in our kayaks the first week of October and did well.  We want to go back again this fall, but we're having a hard time choosing a date.  We will fish the Coast Guard drift right at the mouth.  I do have a couple questions as I'm still learning this river from 3 hours away.

 

1.  Is now until October a good time to fish that stretch?  Or does it get better into the late fall?

2.  I know we won't have to deal with a blown out river generally, but what about wind?  When we were there last year it was really calm.  What wind in that stretch of the river would be miserable for a kayaker?

3.  What size dropshot and tube weight do you recommend for that area?

 

Thanks again. 

[wnybassman]

Last year we fished the lower niagara in our kayaks the first week of October and did well.  We want to go back again this fall, but we're having a hard time choosing a date.  We will fish the Coast Guard drift right at the mouth.  I do have a couple questions as I'm still learning this river from 3 hours away.

 

1.  Is now until October a good time to fish that stretch?  Or does it get better into the late fall?

2.  I know we won't have to deal with a blown out river generally, but what about wind?  When we were there last year it was really calm.  What wind in that stretch of the river would be miserable for a kayaker?

3.  What size dropshot and tube weight do you recommend for that area?

 

Thanks again. 

 

 

1.   The mouth of the river is best when the lake upwells and the river water is significantly warmer than the lake water.  This can happen at any time throughout the year.

2.   North is miserable for any craft at the mouth.  The wind pushes right into the current and piles the waves.

3.   I like 1/2 ounce DS weights and 3/8ths tubes right there.