FISHING TECHNIQUES

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=80 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="1dd00500dvldtc.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Baskerville" ><B>MAUMEE TACKLE</B></FONT><B>  |   </B><B>  </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MAUMEE TACKLE"><U><B>HOME</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FISHING TACKLE"><U><B>FISHING TACKLE</B></U></A><A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FISHING TACKLE"><U><B> </B></U></A><B>  |   </B><B> FISHING TECHNIQUES</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="REGULATIONS"><U><B>REGULATIONS</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="AREA MAP WITH RIVER"><U><B>RIVER MAP</B></U></A><B>   |  </B><A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" RIVER UPDATE"><U><B> </B></U></A><A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" RIVER UPDATE"><U><B>RIVER UPDATE</B></U></A><B>   |         </B><B> </B><A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" MAUMEE RIVER RUN"><U><B>MAUMEE RIVER RUN</B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GARYS GUIDE SERVICE"><U><B> </B></U></A><A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GARYS GUIDE SERVICE"><U><B>GARY'S GUIDE SERVICE</B></U></A><B>   </B><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" MAP TO MAUMEE TACKLE"><U><B>MAP TO STORE</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="1ded2c00dvldtc.gif"> <div> <IMG SRC="048b8530.jpg" border=0 ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" width="184" height="83"><IMG SRC="04986370.jpg" border=0 ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" width="134" height="55"></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=400 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B>FISHING TECHNIQUES</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <div> <B>1. TACKLE:</B></div> <div> <B>          </B>Most people use spinning tackle, but you should use what ever tackle you're most comfortable with. Trying a new bait cast reel for the first time on the river in a crowd is not advisable. Preferred rod choices vary from 5' 6'' to 6' in medium to medium-heavy actions. When water levels are low, fishing with medium-light  tackle can be fun and more of a challenge. Line type is mono in 8 lb to 10 lb test.</div> <div>           Wading in the river can be quite cold. Wearing a good pair of neoprene waders will make all the difference. Its a good idea to bring along an extra set of clothes in case you trip and fall in. One nice thing about neoprene besides their warmth is that if you do fall in, they  won't fill up with water like rubber waders. </div> <div> <B>2.</B> <B>LURES:</B></div> <div> <B>       </B>   With the single hook law in effect you are limited to what you can use. By far using lead head jigs with a single tail grub is most productive. The next most popular lure choice is a <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WHAT IS"><U>carolina rig</U></A></FONT><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WHAT IS"><U> </U></A>with a floating jig and grub combo. On the carolina rig leaders are kept short 12"-18".  Color choices are white, flo. yellow sparkle, chartreuse, kelly green, flo. red, and clear salt & pepper.</div> <div> <B>3.</B><B>TECHNIQUE:</B></div> <div> <B>       </B>  It is my opinion that the lighter weight you use the better you are going to do. Keep in mind that you must keep in contact with the bottom. This is very important being walleyes for the most part are on the bottom. I prefer a little lighter tackle than most. During high water I will use a 6' medium action rod with 8 lb test. Thinner line diameter will cut the current better allowing my jig to get to the bottom easier.  During low water I use a 6' 6'' medium-light action rod with 6 to 8 lb test. When a walleye inhales water to draw a bait in its mouth, lighter tackle will give more and your jig will end up farther inside their mouth, resulting in a better hook up. The same goes for using lighter jigs. When the fish inhales a lighter jig, it will end up in their mouth farther. Using no stretch lines will result in the opposite, not letting the jig go in as far. People say with a no stretch line you can feel the bottom and your bites better. This is true, but the fish can feel lure resistance sooner ejecting your lure from its mouth.</div> <div>        As you're standing in the river facing cross current cast your jig up stream just slightly allowing your jig to hit bottom directly in front of you. If it hits bottom up stream of you it will result in an instant snag. As your jig hits bottom in front of you let the current carry it down stream keeping it in contact with the bottom. Pop your rod up slightly as your jig comes in contact with bigger feeling rocks. Reeling in only to keep the slack out of your line. Your rod is like your eyes to the bottom. Feel for when you don't feel the bottom for a few seconds. This is telling you your jig just went over a small depression on the bottom, where walleyes are sure to be. When you feel this happening reach forward with your rod to allow your jig to fall to the bottom. Key in on these types of depressions, working them repeatedly. As your jig starts to swing in toward shore, jig it slowly back to you, keeping in contact with the bottom.</div> <div>        Another area where you will find fish is current breaks. Look for where slow current lays next to fast water. Fish will come just out of fast water and rest in the slower current. One more tip I can give you is when the water is high most fish will be close to the bank out of the fast current.</div> <div>        I will normally start with a 1/4 oz jig depending on the water level and current. If I'm dragging the bottom too much and losing too many jigs, I will go lighter. Get used to losing jigs, its part of fishing the river. But if I'm not in contact with the bottom enough, I prefer to add split shot 15'' or so up my line rather than going to a heavier jig. In this case I might have a total weight of 3/8 oz or more, whatever it takes to get that right feel on the bottom. </div> <div>      Watch your rod tip for bites. You won't always feel them. Bites can be very light. If your rod tip goes down a little farther than the normal bouncing from the bottom, it could be a bite. When in doubt, set the hook.</div> <div>      When using a carolina rig you work it basically the same. To tie a carolina rig, slide an egg sinker or a worm weight up your main line, then tie a barrel swivel to the end of it to act as a stopper. Tie a leader line 12'' to 18'' on to the other end of your barrel swivel, then your floating jig head to the end of your leader. Most people will use the next size test smaller from their main line for their leader line so that when you snag the bottom you will only loose your leader and jig.</div> <div> <B>4.</B> <B>WHERE TO FISH:</B></div> <div> <B>   </B> During the walleye run the vast majority of the fishing takes place along a four mile stretch of river. Starting from Orleans Park located in the town of Perrysburg, upstream to Jerome Rd. at Side Cut Metro Park. Let's start at the lower end of the river. Orleans Park is good during high water from below the Maumee-Perrysburg bridge, down stream to the boat ramp.  During really high water fishing directly down stream from the Orleans boat ramp is best.  The reason this area is good during high water is due to the river being wider, therefore the current is much slower. At this same time Side Cut Park current would be too fast to fish and dangerous to wade. Many fish will hold at Orleans Park during high water. As the water recedes fish will start working their way up river. Right across the river from Orleans Park is White St. access. This is one of the better bank fishing areas on the river. Deeper water is accessible here from the bank and remains good fishing at many water levels. Up stream from Orleans park on the Perrysburg side of the river is Fort Meigs. This park is good during slightly high water to near low water. Wading directly in front of the parking lot is a good place to fish. Across the river from Fort Meigs is the Tow Path which is part of Side Cut Park. This area is good from slightly high water to low water. Mid-way from the Maumee-Perrysburg bridge to the lower end of Blue Grass Island is a point that sticks out into the river slightly and is another good area to fish from the bank. This whole stretch of river is known as the Tow Path and is good for wading. Up stream from the Tow Path is Blue Grass Island, a very popular area to fish. To fish the island you must wade across a small part of the river. There are two area's to cross. One crossing is located at Island View parking lot. The other is located at the up stream end of the island. Wading across is easy with only a few bigger rocks to trip over. Take your time crossing and you will find it easy.  After crossing the river you will take one of the paths to the main river. There you will find many good places to fish. You must keep tract of the river level while fishing off the island. If the water rises while you're fishing you may not be able to cross back safely. This is no laughing matter. If you get caught in this situation don't put your life at risk. The fire department will rescue you. If you think you can make it back in this situation because you might be tall, that's fine  but may be risky. Don't leave your friend that might be a little shorter and afraid to cross. Stay with him until help arrives. Floating down the river and not being able to touch bottom is terrifying and deadly with low water temperatures. Hypothermia can set in less than five minutes. If high water is expected, the park rangers will post a danger sign at both crossings. If the fire department is called out and you are rescued, you will also receive a fine. Fishing Blue Grass is great, but only during low water for obvious reasons. Use good judgement. Directly across from Blue Grass Island you will see another mob of fishermen. They are  fishing at Buttonwood. Buttonwood is a very popular access on the Perrysburg side of the river. There is plenty of parking and there is also a campground (primitive) run by Perrysburg Twp. At this access you will find lots of room to fish. Buttonwood is good fishing from low to normal water levels. Up stream from Blue Grass Island, in Side Cut Park, all the way to Jerome Rd. is excellent fishing from low water to normal water levels.   </div> <div>        I hope this information is helpful to you. I have fished walleyes here for over thirty years, but don't  get in the river as often as I would like. Over the past couple of years I've being so busy in the shop. Now I spend most of my time fishing Lake Erie doing Guide Trips for smallmouth bass after the walleye run. Check out my <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#3399FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GARYS GUIDE SERVICE"><U>Guide Service</U></A></FONT> for information and pictures from last years trips. </div> <div>  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>