SW Pennsylvania Thread

[Lard_Bass]

Smizener,

First off, welcome aboard.

I just got back into fishing myself.  I used to saltwater fish with my father and then fell out of fishing when I moved to Pittsburgh.  After a couple of camping trips, I picked up a cheap rod and got hooked on bass fishing.  I am trying for trout for the first time this year.  Any questions on Pittsburgh, I do encourage you to post.  The people on this forum have been tremendously helpful.

What kind of boat did you get?  I am a canoe guy but thinking of someday of stepping up to a boat.

[smizener]

Lard_Bass,

I got a 15 foot trihull with an open bow, 9.8hp, and trailer. Looking to pick up an electric trolling motor since the one I have won't push this boat. Boat needs a little work, but nothing major that won't keep it out of the water. I grew up around boats, but only for skiing, etc.

I too want to try trout fishing this season. I have a buddy that works the Ligonier streams and if weren't for the weather this weekend, that's where I'd be!

I've fished a few different areas: Ohio, Virginia, and even Canada. I haven't done any salt water fishing, although it would be fun to try. I'm just doing some reading of fishing forums and books to pick up the tips and places to fish. What I really need to learn is the difference between all the lures and baits, various methods of casting different lures, and then where to fish on the local lakes and rivers.

Where do you guys buy most of your lures, baits, etc.? oh, and here's one for you....what things to you do at the beginning of each season? I've read about sharpening hooks, replacing old line, etc. but almost need a "to do" list so I cover everything. Like I really need another "to do" list! :

[smizener]

Anyone know anything about Beaver Run Reservior, north of Delmont on Route 66. Can't find anything about any fishing regulations. Perhaps its off limits. Looks like a great lake to fish though.

[Lard_Bass]

Smizener,

I do not know anything about Beaver Run. I am still learning the area myself after moving here several years ago.

The question about learning lures is a tough one. Where to begin is the issue. I'll start with the basics and try to keep it simple since that is where I am coming from. If you need more than the basics, ask away and hopefully someone can add some more color.

I would start with some crankbaits since they are great search baits. Start with some lipless ones like the Rat L Trap or Rattlin Rapala (1/4 oz to 1/2 oz). These are great search baits. They can be fished at various depths (they sink at 1.5 ft per second). So, if you want to fish at 15 feet, count 10 seconds. Colors like baby bass or shad for clear water and red or chartreuse for stained water. A simple cast and retrieve works. Entice a strike by changing the speed during each retrieve, a couple of pumps / sweeps of the rod work too. Whenever fishing a new area, start with a search bait.

I will also get some plastic worms and lizards. Cranks are more power fishing while soft plastics like worms are finesse. Zoom worms or Berkley Power worms are good choices. Colors like green, watermelon, and purple are the go to colors. I would texas rig a worm (1/16 oz sliding bullet sinker with a 2/0 EWG hook attached) with the hook burried back into the skin. This method works nicely when the bite is tough. Just hop the worm along the bottom and when you feel a tug, set the hook. You can cast around weeds and cover (with the hook buried back into the skin, you should have a weedless rig and little issues on the retrieve). I would fish a worm during the middle of the day when fish are burried in cover. See Gary Yamato's catalog (p. 19) for rigging options:

http://media.baits.com/

Lastly, get a nice topwater bait like the Rebel Pop-R. I learned this a couple of years ago and it's a blast. Jerk the rod a couple of times and pause. The lure will make either a chugging noise or spit. When it sits idle, watch out for the explosion. Bass simply try to destroy this lure. You will see a small explosion on the surface and then set the hook. Fish topwaters in the morning and dusk when fish come out of cover and are more active.

Those will get you started. Before you start getting overwhelmed by the vast amount of lures, get some confidence in a 2-3 baits. That's how I started a couple of years ago. I am going to throw more spinnerbaits and jigs this year to teach myself those lures. Trying to learn everything at once is just too much. I hope this helps and keep asking those questions.

One other tip, watch Lindner Angling Edge on Versus channel (channel 60 on local comcast stations). His 1/2 hour TV show is packed with info and lessons. While others just fish and you watch, he explains a certain topic with very good detail. I usually tape it since it's on at 5am. Also, read some of the fishing articles on bassresource. There's a ton of helpful info there.

Good luck and report back on your catches.

[HPBB]

Smizener,

welcome, I am from right up the road in North Versailles.

As for Beaver run. Its not open for fishing. Its a reservoir for drinking water. wish it was open hear there are some big fish up there.

As for where I get lures at. Mostly local at Dick's & Gander Mountain. I do get a lot form BPS/Cabela's and some from some smaller places. hard to find stuff.

What I do in the off season? Well, the off season for me is when the water is hard. I do not ice fish, but I will fish up till the water freezes and will be back out as soon as it melts. so in the winter I do a lot to get ready for next season.

First: fix or replace anything that the boats need (I have 2, a 17'6" with a 75hp  & a 14' with a 9.9hp)

then I clean all reel/rods, fix any that need it, or send out to be fixed.

Replace any hooks that need it, and replenish my supply of tackle.

I do respool every reel before the season, but they also get respooled several times a year.

I moved it to a new house last year and finally got some room to myself. So I made a "fishing Gear Zone" where I stock everything I need and can get stuff ready for the next trip. And know where everything is. I am trying to get organized. so I have bins labeled for everything. My wife and father call it "Jim's Fishing store." Here is a look at it.

[smizener]

Thanks for the replies....I appreciate it. Along with your posts and few books I'm reading, I will try your suggestions. I have caught fish over the last few years, but I feel as if no one really taught me the right ways to do it. I would like to learn enough to look at the weather and the water, and know what should work to catch fish.

Anyone know much about electric trolling motors? I need to get a bigger one for my boat (the one I have is 12lb), and I'm looking at this one to buy, but the only markings are the name, Minn Kota 65. I would like to get at least a 30lb. Anyone take a guess as to what size this one is?

[HPBB]

I would say do NOT! buy it. It looks like its about 20 years old. And power? look at how small the prop is, not much power there. What is your price range? they have a few nice ones up at walmart, dick's and Gander Mountain. I would stay away from that one. Just a hint get the biggest TM you can afford. If your going to fish any of the TM only lake around here a 30 will not cut it for all day. You can pick up a minnkota 50# for about $225. well worth it.

On my 14 footer I have a 55# on the bow and a 50# on the back and on my 17 1/2 footer I have a 109# . The 109# is overkill, but I say "go big or go home"

I will look in the shed. I might have an old 36# Minnkota motor, just the motor on the shaft. I'll look maybe you can make it work.

Also if you want to learn more about bass fishing. Well as always time on the water will help, but you might want to look at joining a bass club. I am the president on one, we don't have any opening this year left, but next year maybe. You don't even have to use your boat you could join a club as a rider. Its a great leaning experiance in a club. I started fishing a bass club in 2001. I bet I have learned more in te past 6 years than I did all my life before that.

[Pittsburgh Reeler]

NH-BASS- This is a response to the question about family activities. Sorry, i know its a little outdated!

Yellowcreek is 10 miles out of Indiana, HPBB mentioned it in his recs. It is about 1 hr. 40 min. to the city, not sure from Wexford.

It has a swimming area, and bike trails, and there's a little pond beside the lake called "Dragonfly Pond" where you are only allowed to fish if your a kid or with a kid or disabled person. They have a playground and picnic tables, too. I guess its like Moraine in that respect because its a state park. If your kids have never caught a bass, I guarantee they will catch some there. It is loaded.

The big lake has some nice size bass for you, too! Lots of pike, too.

I have a camper at the campground next to the lake, you can rent spots there, too, pretty cheaply. (but there isn't a playground or anything at the campground). There are 2 campgrounds closeby. At mine, the closer one, there is a vending machine where you can buy worms for your kids. The 2 bait shops are a little ways away.

For your boat, there are all kind of boats on it- Bass Trackers to Kayaks. Might be a good place.

LARD BASS- I only caught one pitiful 101/2 incher on opening day.   >  there is creek runs right beside my camper, referenced above at yellowcreek.

[Lard_Bass]

FishingPunk, thanks for the info.  I would take a 10 1/2 right now over the nice goose egg I have going on.  I haven't really spent more than a couple of hours fishing on each trip because I had the kids in tow.  FYI, Dunlap Lake has a similar set up.  Some playgrounds, a kids fishing only pond, picnic tables etc.  

Do you guys have any good recs for smallies for either shore fishing or canoe fishing?  I have never caught a smallie yet.  I have landed a ton of LM bass but no smallies where I fish.  

[BASS fisherman]

I don't know how I missed this thread.

Anyone else hear that they are trying to open Beaver run for fishing?  I heard this a while ago, but nothing since.

[flyhatch]

I don't know how I missed this thread.

Anyone else hear that they are trying to open Beaver run for fishing?  I heard this a while ago, but nothing since.

i saw a link about this on the kbass.com message board

i a heading up to erie tommorow

i will post a report when i get back

and hopefully some photos too

[flyhatch]

i hit erie today

we landed 18 fish all smallies

had a few get off

of course the ones that got off looked like monsters

the heavy one was 5.5lbs

silver buddies in 30 feet of water

this was my first one of the morning on a micromunch tube

[AtK47]

What's up!

Glad I found this thread. I just moved out this way over a year ago.

Anybody lookin to hit up some lakes let me know.

I will be on the lookout for other posts in the area.

I am actually looking for crappie/calico bass fishin in this area.

Late

Keller

[BASS fisherman]

Nice lookin smallie flyhatch!!!  Ewww-weeee!!!  

[flyhatch]

that was the biggest smallie ive ever caught 5.5 lbs

but from what i hear its just par for the course for lake erie

i cant wait to go agian

[BASS fisherman]

Last Sat. we had a tourney at Mosquito lake OH.  It was BAD!!  Only 2 people caught legal fish.  I caught one 10 incher, and a carp that was easily 12lbs.  That stupid carp ran 3 times before I just horsed it in.  She put up a good fight, but she was wasting my time you know?  I caught her on a 4inch YUM dinger wacky rigged.  I seen her turn towards it and figured she'd turn off.  Then she rushed it and grabbed it up.  I figured that the carp would then spit it, but she turned and ran with it, in turn setting the hook herself.  I was using a light wire hook and she bent it all up.  The fishing was real tuff, freezing cold run in the morning, and air temps rose to the 70's in the afternoon.  Water temp was between 42-55 throughout the lake.  

Lake Erie is an excellent SM fishery.  Our club has a tourney there in August.  If I take my boat, I'm staying in the bay for sure.   What color tube were you using?  Green or brown?

Keller,  What part of the area do you live?  And what is calico bass fishing?

[flyhatch]

it was a green tube

but the silver buddy was killing them

i could of probaly caught more on the tube but once my partner started catching them with the silver buddy i switched over

i caught a carp on a senko before it wasnt in a tourney though.

[AtK47]

I just moved to Carnegie/Scott twp.

I am originally from the Susquehanna River near Scranton, PA

I mean crappie.

We sometimes call Crappie = calicos or calico bass.

I googled up up calico bass and its picture isn't was i meant

but I did find it in Ecny. Britannica:

calico bass

Page  1  of  1  

popular North American game and food fish. See crappie.

[flyhatch]

i hit erie agian this weekend

i caught 5 smallies and my partner got 1

we were 8 miles out of the bay on the main lake

silver buddys and micromunch tubes on half ounce heads were the ticket

the waves kicked up and made for a rough ride in to the bay where it was still pretty rough.

we went to the lagoons and caught a few large mouth on gold jerkbaits.

those smallies are sure addictive

i cant wait till the next time

[ste6168]

if i may ask... what exactly is a silver buddy?

[Lard_Bass]

ste6168,

Welcome aboard.  Where in SW PA do you live?

A silver buddy is a blade bait.  From my understanding, the company went bankrupt and the lures are hard to find.  I found some recently and bought a couple.  I have read the Reef Runner cicadas are a good blade bait as well.

I am currently trying for Peacock bass in Florida.  This past weekend,  I spent most of the morning going for trout but got skunked.   I then moved to a small local lake to try for bass and I caught a dink.

[flyhatch]

you can make your own silver buddies

i buy home made one at the local tackle shop

they work great

e

[ste6168]

ste6168,

Welcome aboard. Where in SW PA do you live?

A silver buddy is a blade bait. From my understanding, the company went bankrupt and the lures are hard to find. I found some recently and bought a couple. I have read the Reef Runner cicadas are a good blade bait as well.

I am currently trying for Peacock bass in Florida. This past weekend, I spent most of the morning going for trout but got skunked. I then moved to a small local lake to try for bass and I caught a dink.

I currently go to school at California Univ of PA, right where 43 and 70 cross pretty much.  Originally I am from shaler, right outside of pittsburgh.  Up until this year I have been mainly a trout angler, but have been fishing in the monogahela because I cannot find any good trout creeks/streams around here (except pike run if you want to consider that good, i dont).  I just bought a shimano sahara and bionic blade combo from BPS to get me started in the whole bass fishing direction.  So far this season my largest has been a 22" hybrid striped (i believe thats the right species) out of the mon, i will post a pic when i get it developed.  Anyway, where are the best places to fish for bass down this way?  The mon hasnt been very good as of late...  Thanks for the welcome, this seems like a great place!

[Pittsburgh Reeler]

BASS Fisherman,

Hopefully we will have better luck on Sunday!!!  At least you caught something!!

Last Sat. we had a tourney at Mosquito lake OH. It was BAD!! Only 2 people caught legal fish. I caught one 10 incher, and a carp that was easily 12lbs. That stupid carp ran 3 times before I just horsed it in. She put up a good fight, but she was wasting my time you know? I caught her on a 4inch YUM dinger wacky rigged. I seen her turn towards it and figured she'd turn off. Then she rushed it and grabbed it up. I figured that the carp would then spit it, but she turned and ran with it, in turn setting the hook herself. I was using a light wire hook and she bent it all up. The fishing was real tuff, freezing cold run in the morning, and air temps rose to the 70's in the afternoon. Water temp was between 42-55 throughout the lake.

Lake Erie is an excellent SM fishery. Our club has a tourney there in August. If I take my boat, I'm staying in the bay for sure. What color tube were you using? Green or brown?

Keller, What part of the area do you live? And what is calico bass fishing?

[BASS fisherman]

I think it's going to be a great day on Sunday!  

See you there!!!!