Fishing the Niagara Whirpool?

[iJay]

First off I will start with an apology as per the thread title namming the body of water.

I have had the urge to try fishing the whirpool for some time now, with my Fiance into her first couple of steelies and she knows the technique, I know I dont have to go alone any more LOL!

I wanted to ask, do you use a float set up? Mainline-Leader-Float-Shots-Hook?

How deep do you fish? Can you catch a proper drift? What kind of bait would work? Roe or spoons? Spoons I thought would catch light with all the movement in the water.

I have only been there twice when I was younger on school trips, I did see people fishing down there, I remeber one fishermen had about 3 steelies tied off it must of been in May/June as the larger class trips were held off untill the end of the year but that was back in 2001-2002.

Any kinda of help would be great! We should be able to make it out there the third weekend in May.

 

[fishing89]

No worries on naming the water...at least I think, since the whirlpool is a HUGE place and the niagara river overall is a very popular fishing destination.

From what I have witnessed and read, best times to fish the pool is 4-8am. Spoons are the choice, also mepps #4 , silver with a blue color.

 

[iJay]

Thank you!!

How deep? (nohomo) LOL
Kind of line? wieghts? Floats? I havent fished much with spoons, let alone in moving water.Couple years ago fished for Pike with spoons but was in a lake.

Any tips? Tricks?

 

[fishing89]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IC1SZmTRX-A

 

[fishing89]

fish close to bottom, water is DEEP so you'll need to arrange your set-up accordingly.

 

[rich_ace_G]

bobber i'd say will be 15ft-18ft from your bait/lure/hook. you can drift spinners, spoons or roe. bigger bobber (11oz)...heavier weights. extra leaders...just so when a muskie...

 

[iJay]

Thank guys!!! I think I am going to do a bit more research and try my luck!!

 

[Rain-Bow]

If you're lucky there you'll even get a bonus sturgeon

 

[fishing89]

wouldnt that be sweet? I want to catch one SO BAD

 

[iJay]

Sturgeon? If I wanted to cathc one Id hook my line to my car and try to pull that outta the driveway LOL!
I have seen videos from I think it was the ottawa river, if not somewhere near there. Monsters!

 

[Rain-Bow]

lol they're in there. With so many different fishies there sometimes you won't know what you're gonna catch. One guy caught a muskie on a roe bag once.

 

[wlatyn]

You can fish with a float setup. Get a big float (15gram or more) and load on the split shot. I bulk the shot close to my leader to get it down quickly. I usually run 12-15 feet between float and hook. The currents swirl around in there, so find the current seams and drift along them...there are a lot of boulders in there - boulders mean steel. I find Power Minnows (3-4 inches) fished on a jighead can be productive. Another key is to check conditions before you go...if the pool is super clear or super dirty it is tough to fish...you want that nice green colour on the Niagara.

 

[iJay]

RR Thank you so much, that is alot of information!!
Power minnows, I havent fished with and TBH I am not the best at rigging minnows, I end up killing them or they slip out of my hands.

I will definatly be putting this knowledge into action!

Muskie? Pics r it didnt happen!

 

[rich_ace_G]

I don't have pics to prove about the muskie because I'm not the one who caught it. But they're there. I don't know if it's a prime muskie spot but there is muskie there.

 

[BASSMASTER19]

i never knew about muskie but i know theres pike big bass and huge carp, and the trout but i think we all knew that :mrgreen:

 

[fishing89]

there are pretty much ALL types of fish that live in lake ontario and erie there. Sturgeon, pike, muskie, bass (ive got a few rock bass and smallies at the pool on jigs), all types of salmon and trout. Always exciting to be fishing with spoons, jigs and spinners because you never know what your going to get

 

[DaveC]

I agree with RiverRun, big floats and lots of shot. The power minnows on a white jig head...another tip is to dab a small dot of red nail polish on the nose of the jig head. Dont ask me why, but someone told me and it works. The Glen is also an option of fishing the pool, lot more fish taken in the Glen. PM if you need info on accessing the Glen.

 

[CanadianAngler87]

The glenn? No fish down there, and the walk..talk about heart attack..

 

[iJay]

Thanks everyone for the info. I honestly am shocked in hearing there is more than just trout in there.
Amazing that there is as small as panfish ans a big of horse as Canadian angler has caught.

In comming weeks I will be putting this all into action! Thanks again everyone!!

 

[goodentight]

this thread really makes me miss fishing down there