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#1 RiverRuns

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Posted 29 November 2012 - 09:44 PM

Hitting the Niagara this weekend...first time on this big water. Any advice (tactic-wise) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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#2 CJR

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Posted 30 November 2012 - 12:19 AM

Big floats. 11+ gram slip floats are common. I usually run 10-15 feet between float and bait down there.

Minnow imitations and big flies.
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#3 fishfight

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Posted 30 November 2012 - 08:10 PM

Use small heavy spoon at 1/2 oz or more, or 3/8 oz jig on black grubs for clear water or Pink grubs for murky water. add split shot to your line just above lures I just suggested if more weight is needed.

Lures you are willing to sacrifice is one way to catch fish down there, the fish are closer to the bottom many times. If you retrieve too fast, the fish will not be too anxious to go after it. Slow retrieve application barely getting snag is the key to success fishing there.

Lake trouts will be open Dec 1.

Slippery down there due to precipitation lately, so watch your steps. might be freezing temp and icy on the trail. bring ice cleats just in case.
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#4 troutddicted

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Posted 30 November 2012 - 08:20 PM

Be cautious. The water level rises and drops several feet during the day... make sure you are aware of this. Get there early, if you've never been, you are in for a treat and bring the camera. If you have any medical problems, depending where you go, take your time going back up... its a long wayyyyy, to the top if ya wanna rock n' roll.

I am a big fan of using minnow imitations down there. 3 way rigs would be great to use but I just float fish for them. I've had luck with big jigs with a plastic minnow on it for pig lakers.
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#5 Andrew McGhie

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Posted 30 November 2012 - 09:12 PM

Good luck and hope Niagara is nice enough to give you some beauty bows/browns.

Most of these things have already been stated but doesn't hurt to be repeated from more then one person. Big floats are a must since you need more weight to get the bait down in the stronger current/deep water. Anything over a 10g slip should be good, my preference right now have been 16g i believe. usually go with a 4'leader and run my float from anywhere between 10-15'. Just make sure your tagging bottom once and a while. I dont know how clear the water will be (which isnt a bad thing) but if you can spot some under water structure it tends to hold fish, I find when I snag bottom once and a while it usually means im hitting one of many big boulders that lie under the water, but those exact same drifts will often be a fish the next time your float goes under.

Whirlpool's a good spot to start, but get there early it fills up in no time. If it is full don't be afraid to leave the pool and hike for new waters that are less pressured.

Not sure if you plan on wearing waders but they definitely aren't a must down there. Plenty of good rocks to stand on. Though I know many ppl do wade in there. Just be careful if you choose to.
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#6 Spinninreel

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Posted 01 December 2012 - 12:33 AM

Don't fall in!!!
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#7 DILLIGAF?!

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Posted 01 December 2012 - 02:07 PM

And I will be hitting the whirlpool 2nd week of december. since big floats and heavy sinkers is a must. what's the ideal main line and leader tests?
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#8 Brian

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Posted 01 December 2012 - 08:13 PM

And I will be hitting the whirlpool 2nd week of december. since big floats and heavy sinkers is a must. what's the ideal main line and leader tests?


Typical setup works for Niagara....
I use 10# main line and 6# or 8# leader...
There's just alot of current so you need more weight to get your bait down to the strike zone...to handle the excess weight you would need to have a bigger float...
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#9 RiverRuns

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Posted 01 December 2012 - 10:29 PM

Big floats. 11+ gram slip floats are common. I usually run 10-15 feet between float and bait down there.

Minnow imitations and big flies.


Thanks for all of the advice...hopefully I'll have some pics to post!
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#10 RiverRuns

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Posted 02 December 2012 - 07:28 PM

OFF advice pays off...thanks fellas!
Sorry about the background (no idea how to blur it...limited computer skills)
GetAttachment2.jpg
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#11 CJR

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Posted 02 December 2012 - 07:35 PM

OFF advice pays off...thanks fellas!
Sorry about the background (no idea how to blur it...limited computer skills)
GetAttachment2.jpg


Well done! Glad it helped :)
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#12 fishfight

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Posted 02 December 2012 - 10:27 PM

OFF advice pays off...thanks fellas!
Sorry about the background (no idea how to blur it...limited computer skills)
GetAttachment2.jpg



Exciting and impressive on your first attempt at those snag-gable bottom
How was the water clarity like?
What time were you fishing?

What did the fish hit on?
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#13 salmotrutta

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Posted 02 December 2012 - 11:00 PM

Nice I gotta hit the Niagara soon. Lakers are open again there right?
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#14 troutddicted

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Posted 03 December 2012 - 12:05 AM

Niagara is a tough system to figure out, well done. I'm curious too, what did it hit?
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#15 DILLIGAF?!

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Posted 03 December 2012 - 09:54 AM

from all the reports i've been reading...if you're chasing the big ones...niagara falls has them all. yeah, what was the presentation btw?
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#16 NiagaraSteel

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Posted 03 December 2012 - 06:02 PM

Don't fall in and huge floats!
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#17 RiverRuns

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Posted 03 December 2012 - 10:56 PM

Exciting and impressive on your first attempt at those snag-gable bottom
How was the water clarity like?
What time were you fishing?

What did the fish hit on?


Caught 3 steelies
Peach bags with Hot Pink floaters
Fished from 7 am until approx 2 pm (Clarity approx 2 ft.)
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