Whirlpool

[LogJam]

hey, so now that november is almost over, and i have heard many people talking about the whirlpool on the river no a days.... i have never fished there, but will start soon (next 2 weeks)....

i figured now would be a good time to start this topic about the pool, in the hopes i can learn abit about it and what works before i head down... i have been getting skunked the last few weeks and have had enough.... :angry:
i hear there are some real nice fish being caught already... so i think its time for me to change fishing location....lol

i also hope this will help other keep updated....

lets keep the hope alive, that we all catch our dream fish...
cheers~!

 

[point defiance]

Hey I've never fished at the Whirlpool before too. Maybe all the whirlpool virgins on this forum can arrange a time to head down together and fish. Learn something from each other.

 

[pop-vlado]

I'm still waiting to make my first trip to the whirlpool as of this year. I like to wait till the tribs freeze over, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen any time soon. I actually bought a 12'6 noodle rod this year for the whirlpool, but last year I was fishing with my 8'6 creek rod. Still totally doable :mrgreen: but it's not easy to cast due to the depth setting...

My best advice is to keep your depth big when fishing the deeper pools. I have 8.5 feet from my float to my bait (with a lot of split shots). My go-to baits: Egg imitations, pink worms, imitation minnows (any kind)...in that order :wink:

Good luck!

Picture for the road...the fish are just a bonus when you see this in the morning

 

[grubman]

Hey I've never fished at the Whirlpool before too. Maybe all the whirlpool virgins on this forum can arrange a time to head down together and fish. Learn something from each other.

Count me in, I just hope I don't put a curse on everyone. Never caught a steelie or a brown yet. Name and post a day.

 

[Blair]

The whirlpool is a cool place in the Winter. (Get the pun?)
When everything else in Frozen Stiff ... it's still able to be fished.

Winter brings out alot of LAKERS. (Lake Trout)
I find the Gulp 3" shinner minnows work well (Black & White)

Soon as the Water goes GIN CLEAR, the fish are real picky.
Use super light and clear line, small hooks ...

They still hang out right by shore.
Watch out for the ice shelves (Dont want to fall in)


Stairway (Trail) gets smooth with packed ice & snow .... got to be real careful (More so for your equipment - rods)

Coming back up on the "STAIRMASTER 3000" you sure notice the difference from a summer/fall hike.
(Snow, heavier clothes .... it's a killer)

 

[hightechdecks]

never fished it either, but also looking to go....the idea of an OFF whirlpool virgins trip is a great idea my buddy fishhes it alot and says 3 inch fin-s fish in tennesse shad can be lethal for browns, run it under a slip float and fished like you would for walleyes (rip and pause)

 

[grubman]

The whirlpool is a cool place in the Winter. (Get the pun?)
When everything else in Frozen Stiff ... it's still able to be fished.

Winter brings out alot of LAKERS. (Lake Trout)
I find the Gulp 3" shinner minnows work well (Black & White)

Soon as the Water goes GIN CLEAR, the fish are real picky.
Use super light and clear line, small hooks ...

They still hang out right by shore.
Watch out for the ice shelves (Dont want to fall in)


Stairway (Trail) gets smooth with packed ice & snow .... got to be real careful (More so for your equipment - rods)

Coming back up on the "STAIRMASTER 3000" you sure notice the difference from a summer/fall hike.
(Snow, heavier clothes .... it's a killer)

How far down is this whirlpool? Niagara drops about 275' that's alot of steps, no giant escalator?....lol. Small hooks, how small what size? Thanks Blair, hope to see you there too.

 

[Blair]

How far down is this whirlpool? Niagara drops about 275' that's alot of steps, no giant escalator?....lol. Small hooks, how small what size? Thanks Blair, hope to see you there too.

This size .... *SMILES* (My friend's FEB BROWN)

* Hook is Set on the Bottom Left Jaw (inside the rim of bone) I think its a #12-14

 

[Brian]

yup its definitely time that I got out there too...gotta start training for the stair climb...lol

 

[grubman]

yup its definitely time that I got out there too...gotta start training for the stair climb...lol

You think the CN tower stairs will do?.I'll meet you there, last one up buys.....lol.

Once I hit a webcam that showed the bridge crossing to the US, it was a live feed. You could kinda make out the water conditions on the Niagara river. Is there a cam that shows the river conditions? Be good to check conditions before going.

 

[LogJam]

Once I hit a webcam that showed the bridge crossing to the US, it was a live feed. You could kinda make out the water conditions on the Niagara river. Is there a cam that shows the river conditions? Be good to check conditions before going.

it would be nice to find out before going... i will try my best to also find a live feed.. there has to be one some where.... i wonder if looking at "flow meters" will give us any idea??
i would think the higher the water levels are and depending how fast they went up, would maybe give us a bit of help judging water conditions...

will post back if i find a cam feed...

 

[hightechdecks]

it would be nice to find out before going... i will try my best to also find a live feed.. there has to be one some where.... i wonder if looking at "flow meters" will give us any idea??
i would think the higher the water levels are and depending how fast they went up, would maybe give us a bit of help judging water conditions...

will post back if i find a cam feed...

the problem with flow charts and most hydrometric data is the info is posted 12 hrs delayed also many of the reading stations are getting closed due to budget cuts. i was told it was good on a west wind b/c the water gets blown in from erie and the flow increases i think the pattern to look for would be an east wind sustained for a day or two to blow the fish into the mouth then a westwind to increase the level and flow to bring them up to the whirlpool. just an idea

 

[LogJam]

the problem with flow charts and most hydrometric data is the info is posted 12 hrs delayed also many of the reading stations are getting closed due to budget cuts. i was told it was good on a west wind b/c the water gets blown in from erie and the flow increases i think the pattern to look for would be an east wind sustained for a day or two to blow the fish into the mouth then a westwind to increase the level and flow to bring them up to the whirlpool. just an idea

that makes sence to me...

 

[grubman]

But what about the old saying "Winds from the west fish bite the best, winds from the east fish bite the least." Haha the Niagara works backwards/opposite to convention?....lol.

 

[hightechdecks]

But what about the old saying "Winds from the west fish bite the best, winds from the east fish bite the least." Haha the Niagara works backwards/opposite to convention?....lol.

on-shore winds push fish towards the mouths of rivers and creeks and into stagging pools from there water levels and flow bring them up. lake O north shore south wind bringsthem in up here on GB its a west or northwest. niagara river is on far west shore lake o so ijust thought an east wind would push them in over there.

 

[grubman]

It would be interesting to see, I never paid much attention to the wind direction. Seems like when ever I'm out conditions for fishing is not good. Don't know if that's a coincidence or I just like to be out when the weather is nice. I have never fished in the opened winter, worth a shot if I catch something, not goby.

 

[JaysonMarion]

Wind direction plays a HUGE part in fishing.

Especially on the Niagara. Sustained SW winds mess up the river. Height and clarity.

During Salmon season you can slam fish early off the pier when the wind is just right.

 

[grubman]

Wind direction plays a HUGE part in fishing.

Especially on the Niagara. Sustained SW winds mess up the river. Height and clarity.

During Salmon season you can slam fish early off the pier when the wind is just right.

So what is considered just right? From what direction?

As I recall from my catches, Walleyes seem to like west winds, while bass don't seem to care.

 

[hightechdecks]

hot wind direction vary based on the water you are fishing and the species....for walleye i prefer light to no wind and high sun, it burries them right in the weeds, easy targets for a seasoned rip-jigger on cloudy days i generally fish suspending crankbaits. for trout and salmon on shore winds are where its at, this causes a shiesh or tide effect that raises water levels in lower staging pools. up here we call it the georgianbay tide and fish can get really hot in lower stretches on it. no rain neccessary

 

[grubman]

hot wind direction vary based on the water you are fishing and the species....for walleye i prefer light to no wind and high sun, it burries them right in the weeds, easy targets for a seasoned rip-jigger on cloudy days i generally fish suspending crankbaits. for trout and salmon on shore winds are where its at, this causes a shiesh or tide effect that raises water levels in lower staging pools. up here we call it the georgianbay tide and fish can get really hot in lower stretches on it. no rain neccessary

I'm really surprised about the walleye, I've been following the convention of walleye chop and wind, it has'nt been working so time to change my tactics.
For salmon I'd go anyday in the fall and they are there.

That's cool how everyone has a different technique. I guess I have'nt found the best technique that works for me.

Thanks.