Shore fishing Pittsburgh area

[Gantu]

I fish mainly Brady's run Lake, a Big Bass Lake, according to the Fish and Boat Commision.  I do not, however, own a boat.  Can anyone help a newer fisherman with some shore fishing tips?  In two years, I only caught two legal sized Bass.  Both were 18 inches, and around 4-4.5 lbs.  

[BASS fisherman]

It isnt that your a new fisherman, it is because the lake has very few big fish in it.

I fish a ton of "Big Bass lakes", and very few ever yield keeper fish.

For example Northmoreland lake:

I have only caught maybe 4 keeper fish from this pond.

And I have been fishing it my whole life!!

Lower Twin lake:

I caught 1 keeper bass out of this pond. ONE!!!!

Deer lakes:

Supposedly there are a lot of BIG bass in the Deer lake ponds. I have yet to catch any fish over 8 inches. The place gets absolutely hammered!

The fact of the matter is that these lakes are listed as "Big bass lakes" so that the fish have a chance to grow before they are harvested.

The problem is that the lakes get overpopulated with dinks, so the fish have to fight for available forage. In doing so it stunts the normal growth of the fish.

My advice to you is to not give up. There are bigger fish in the lake, you just have to learn their habits and patterns.

[JF1]

Where are you located?  I'm guessing beavery county, based on the fact that you are fishing Bradys run.

Bradys run is a good trout lake, but thats about it.  If targeting bass from shore, herford manor is a very underrated lake that I've done well with.  Also raccoon creek state park, and bessemer state game lake aren't too far from bradys run.  Both are probably 15-20 min and seem to yield some better catches.

Also there are several places along the rivers that are productive from shore.  New Brighton dam, the creek mouth of bradys run (behind wright pontiac), and the molasis tanks in monaca where the creek enters the ohio have all been very productive for me in the past.  Alot of white bass, sogeyes/sauger and smallies taken in all of these places.

[Gantu]

Where are you located? I'm guessing beavery county, based on the fact that you are fishing Bradys run.

Bradys run is a good trout lake, but thats about it. If targeting bass from shore, herford manor is a very underrated lake that I've done well with. Also raccoon creek state park, and bessemer state game lake aren't too far from bradys run. Both are probably 15-20 min and seem to yield some better catches.

Also there are several places along the rivers that are productive from shore. New Brighton dam, the creek mouth of bradys run (behind wright pontiac), and the molasis tanks in monaca where the creek enters the ohio have all been very productive for me in the past. Alot of white bass, sogeyes/sauger and smallies taken in all of these places.

I have heard of some big fish in Brady's Run.  I have seen others catch them.  Not jus Bass, but others as well.  22 in Catfish.  One guy caught a 22 Rainbow in that Lake.  So I know they are there.  As for learning their habits, etc. that is tough, when so few are spotted by me...the biggie large I caught last summer was aon a Berkley shad imitation.  As soon as it hit the water it got nailed.  Mouth bigger than a baseball.  About 12-15 feet of water.  (not saying much that whole lake is only about 20 in the deep parts...)  The one the year before that was on a real worm.  Who knows.  I am going to try some new tricks I have learned over the winter.  Hopefully my luck will pick up...  I put them all back any way.  I will look into the other lakes mentioned as well.  And BTW, yes, I am in Beaver County.

[Gantu]

Where are you located? I'm guessing beavery county, based on the fact that you are fishing Bradys run.

Bradys run is a good trout lake, but thats about it. If targeting bass from shore, herford manor is a very underrated lake that I've done well with. Also raccoon creek state park, and bessemer state game lake aren't too far from bradys run. Both are probably 15-20 min and seem to yield some better catches.

Also there are several places along the rivers that are productive from shore. New Brighton dam, the creek mouth of bradys run (behind wright pontiac), and the molasis tanks in monaca where the creek enters the ohio have all been very productive for me in the past. Alot of white bass, sogeyes/sauger and smallies taken in all of these places.

Where are the Molasis Tanks in Monaca?  I am from Monaca, but never heard of that.  I am guessing on the Ohio, but that does not help me much.  Do you know if the pumphouse are or under the train briodge are any good for Bass?  Tips for fishing a river for bass?

[JF1]

I am from monaca too....born and raised.  I've since moved away to ohio last feb.  

The molasis tanks are where the creek mouth of seven bridges empties into the ohio.  Both the up river and down river side of the creekmouth can yield some decent fish.

As for the pumphouse, I've never had any luck there. Nor under the trainbridge.  Next to the Montgomery Lock and Dam can be a good place to shore fish as well.  

In my opinion, the BEST river fishing spots are behind wright pontiac and at the new brighton dam.  If targeting all species a jig w/ a minnow can't be beat in either of these places.

I've never done any good at bradys run lake, but if you can go to herford manor the lower lake has some pretty good bass in it.  

[Gantu]

iI should try Lower Herford.  It is not too far, really.  As for Wright Pontiac, I heard it is a good spot but I do not know how to get behind there.  Not sure where to even park.

[JF1]

I've always just drove all the way to the back of wright's parking lot near where the creek mouth empites into the river and parked back there.  I just paid attention to be out of the way of any vehicles.  Been doing it since that was a friend pontiac dealership with no hassles.  Never had any problems at all.  Just walk over the hill and there u go!

The creek has yield some good fish too, there used to be a nice deep hole near the tunnel under the bridge.

Herford manor is prob. the most under rated bass lake in that area.  alot of good bass have been caught, and its mostly knows as a trout lake.

[Gantu]

Thanks for the info.  So you actually entered the dealership lot and went to the back?  They don't have any issues with that?  I do have connections with the dealer anyway...  It might come in handy...

[JF1]

yepper, I just drove all the way to back of dealership and parked truck up agains the trees in the back so I wasn't blocking anything.  Did it like that for many years and no one ever had a problem.  If they did, they could see me fishing and could have said something.

I saw alot of guys do this, shouldn't be an issue.

[Gantu]

I bet the spring time it will be pretty loaded with people.  I may take that risk and give it a go my first weekend.  That should be soon, I am looking to pick up the license this week.  Oh, I better get my stuff ready...