Need help with lure shopping list for St. Lawrence

[cwb124]

Hey folks,

In about 3 weeks I am heading to Gananoque to fish the St. Lawrence for 4 days from a pontoon boat. I'm primarily a fly fisherman and a casual panfish/largemouth bass fisherman so my tackle box is typically geared toward that. I am currently unprepared for fishing a large river for smallmouth, pike, and walleye.

I am set with rods and reels and 10lb line spooled up with a handful of wire leaders for the toothy fellas. But I am not sure what lures and rigs to pick up to have the best fishing experience. If anyone could throw some ideas out I would appreciate it. The more specific the better. I have not shopped for spin lures in a long time so I am way out of the loop. I am heading to a Cabelas near me this weekend to make my final purchases.

In addition, I will have my 10yo son with me who would love to lay into the perch and other panfish. I am assuming worms might be the best solution for him but if I'm wrong I'd love to hear it. Thanks folks! Been looking forward to this trip for a while.

CB

 

[Hank Jr]

I would buy some #4 - #5 Mepps Agila Spinners with colored blades also some Johnson Silver spoons tip them with split tailed white or chartruse trailers for Pike . For the Bass tubes for the Smallmouth and minnow jerkbaits Husky Jerks, Rapalas or Smithwick Rattling Rogues . LM I like top water lures frogs are working right now whopper ploppers or Zara spooks . Fishing the weeds the spoons will be best for Pike the spinners over top the weeds any rocky shoal should hold some Smallies . We used to make our family trips to Clayton just across the river from Gananoque . Slip bobbers with live bait will keep your son busy for all the fish you are looking for . Good luck post a report when you get back . Make sure you have hook cutters , jaw spreaders and long nose pliers .

 

[cwb124]

Any chance for walleyes in mid July?

 

[Hank Jr]

My friends catch them on rocky shoals in pretty deep water in July . Take your fly rod and big streamers Pike are a blast on fly tackle .

 

[Hank Jr]

CB
I sent you a PM with my email address if you want more info for your trip

 

[T-Ack]

Dropshot rigs. get a few different weights because of the depth and current you will be fishing in.

 

[Hank Jr]

I talked to one of my friends who has been making a trip to Gananoque the last 15 summers he said make sure you have some spinner baits and spoons . He said any deep weed edges you will find Pike they also fish the points of a couple of the islands and do well on Bass . Good Luck

 

[cwb124]

I talked to one of my friends who has been making a trip to Gananoque the last 15 summers he said make sure you have some spinner baits and spoons . He said any deep weed edges you will find Pike they also fish the points of a couple of the islands and do well on Bass . Good Luck

Awesome advice and thanks for all the help Hank! I think I'm all geared up ready to go. I picked up some stuff for ned rigs as they work really well for smallies in NE Pennsylvania. I have some longer worms for a wacky rig or drop shot, some different soft baits like yum/keitech for more enticing drop shots. I also got some tubes and some rattlin rogues. I will bring my handful of spinner baits for pike. I am only lacking spoons which I may have to pick up in Canadian Tire when I get up there as the spoons around here are very small. We lack pike here so it's hard to find properly sized pike lures.

Got most of my reels spooled up with new 10lb line. My son's push button has new 8lb test on it. I am also bringing a trout rod to play with some perch/rock bass.

 

[Hank Jr]

I'm from PA also Lancaster good luck on your trip , post a report with pictures when you get back .

 

[cwb124]

I'm from PA also Lancaster good luck on your trip , post a report with pictures when you get back .

On nice. I am about 45 mins east of you in Downingtown. I fish the west branch of the Susquehanna regularly near Wyalusing for smallies. Really looking forward to this father/son trip to Gananoque. Again, appreciate all the info.

 

[Tyler0420]

Id be bringing my carp gear.