Fishing Forum

I fished Oneida yesterday afternoon. The fall colors were amazing, [inline "oneida 4 small.JPG"][inline "oneida 3 small.JPG"][inline "oneida 2 small.JPG"][inline "oneida small.JPG"]

but ly, the fishing was not. The water temp was 57, so I was expecting some fast smallmouth action. Everything I've been reading has said that when the water gets below 60 in the fall, the smallmouth go nuts. That didn't seem to be the case. It had been a calm, sunny morning, but as soon as I put out into the water, the wind started to howl and the clouds came in. Fishing started out slowly with me having a several misses on a 3" grub before finally hooking up with a 10" bass. It was tough feeling the hits or staying on a spot with the wind and I was getting frustrated. I was working my way back to go fish the river for trout when I scored a fat 12" smallie on a little LC Pointer 65DD. I reached for my camera and realized that it wasn't there. The wind had died, and now that I caught a decent smallie I decided to go retrieve it from the car and keep trying the reservoir. On my way I discovered this little guy[inline "mink small.JPG"]
and snapped a photo on the way back. I quickly had another smallmouth hit the jerkbait right at the tube, but I didn't hook him well. I missed a couple more and then it stopped, so I decided to move down further. I came to a gravel to chunk rock transition where I had caught the first bass and about a foot long walleye hammered my jerkbait just out from shore. I worked down further and reached some large boulders that dropped off quickly to over 20 feet. More clouds had rolled in and I guess that got the walleye active. I scored four more walleye up against the rocks on the jerkbait. [inline "walleye 2 small.JPG"][inline "walleye small.JPG"]

They were absolutely hammering it, and one even tail walked a little. I had never seen such aggression from walleye. I hadn't caught a smallmouth for a while and I was thinking it was going to be a walleye day from now on. I reached a small point and threw my Pointer to the end of it. I cranked it down, and a few twitches later, something walloped it. Either this was a monster eye, or the smallmouth weren't quite done. My light spinning rod and 6lb test were straining, and as I loosened my drag a little, the reel began to sing. I got the fish closer and saw a broad bronze shape down below my tube. Eventually I was able to net the beautiful fish. [inline "big smallie small.JPG"]
I taped it at 17". Not a monster, but the best I've caught out of the Bear River drainage. It was getting dark and I was far from the launch, so I worked my way back tossing the jerkbait at the boulders. I caught a few dink smallmouth, and missed a few more, but that was it. I ended up with 7 smallmouth and 5 walleye. Not a great day, but the big smallmouth and aggressive walleye have me contemplating a return visit before the snow flies.
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Great report and good pics. How is the river below the damn? I've been waiting for it to get in the 200-250 range for some smallie fishing. Any comments? Went to our un spoken area for some LM a few days ago and had reasonable success except for some reason I lost several bigguns that simply came un buttoned. [frown] Am still worried about the low water conditions and the winter effect. [frown]
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Thanks Leaky. I actually tried the river for about 20 minutes on the way in. The water was low and clear, and I just couldn't resist one of my favorite spots. I tossed a small X-Rap for a bit and had one come off, a hard strike and three follows. The problem was that even though it's low and clear, there's still a bunch of debris floating in the water. Maybe I should have worked at it longer since the fish were active, but I got frustrated and went to the reservoir.

I've really been thinking about heading to the old standby. I have this silly goal every year of catching as many fish as the year, and right now I'm at 1828. If I'm going to have any chance of reaching it, I'm going to have to hit the usual spot. I don't think it's going to happen though. I had things come up a couple of times that I was supposed to go fishing, and then I've been exploring new places that haven't gotten me as many fish, though I've gotten some pretty good quality. I can't complain about this year, especially with the late spring.

Speaking of trying new places, that smallie got me thinking about trying Pineview if I can find the time. Care to divulge some info about spots where I can access it from a tube?
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You may have had to work a bit for the fish, but it looks like it was a nice day anyway. That is a monster smallie!
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Well bud, I would if I could. I went back to the same area about a week ago ( N. shore around the islands on shore side) and caught 1 med. smallie. Also tried the N. Fork area and decided the pond was way to low and all my spots were too shallow, or high and dry, no weeds or cover. Everything that used to be cover was high and dry. Going to try a new area tomorrow. Will let you know if anything good comes of it. []
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Looks very nice. Looks like that will be where I have to go to get my "bucketlist" walleye.

Thanks for the pics.

Windriver
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in regards of you wanting to try pineview go to and around cemitary point area it is easy acces with a tube north end of res is easy acces on tube good luck and have fun the fish out there are active you just may end up with a muskie fihin for the sml right now
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Thanks for the info on Pineview. I'll be sure to bring some steel leaders for the musky if I make it down there.
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If you're not looking for a trophy and just want to scratch walleye off your list, I would recommend it. I don't think I've ever had a day on Oneida when I haven't caught one. Even during the heat of the day in the middle of summer I've always managed at least one.
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Thanks! It was a monster for me anyway.
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As usual "Awesome Report"! I have yet to get up there. Twin has kept me entertained the past few weeks. Your post temps me to check it out this weekend. The colors are beautiful and congrats on your smallie. Bet that sweetie gave you a thrill!
Smiles Always![cool]
MA
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Well thank you. She was quite the fighter on the flimsy tackle I was using. I love throwing small hard baits, they're so productive and even the small fish put up a fight on the light gear. I think I'm going to head up there again tomorrow. The forecast for next week looks pretty ugly, so I need to enjoy the nice weather as much as possible this week.
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Well I went back to Oneida today. I fished for two hours with only a couple of light hits on a jig, and then I finally caught this thing. [inline "small crap.JPG"] At least I wasn't skunked. I kind of think the lake may have turned over. The water dropped to 55 degrees and was much murkier than last time. I talked to someone else and he fished it all morning with just one small hit. I got fed up and went elsewhere and managed to get a smallie fix [inline "smallie small.JPG"]along with some largemouth. [inline "crank bass small.JPG"]
It wasn't super fast, but I managed nine bass, four of which were just before dark on topwater. Catching them on top should count double because it's so much more fun.[inline "popper bass small.JPG"]
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Beautiful bass and super fun on the top water hits!

The mirror carp isn't bad either. They are a blast on light tackle.
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Thanks! It was a pretty good fight, especially since I actually foul hooked it in the side. The bass were fun too, I just wish I would have gone there first.
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Nice bass, I'm jealous. I haven't been out for a while.

I've never seen a carp like that before. Actually quite pretty.
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There are quite a few mirror carp in The Bear River drainage. I've seen and caught several in both Oneida and Cutler.

I'm thinking that's about it for the bass this year. Water is already in the 50s and after the three storms that are coming our way, it will be down in the 40s next week. Oh well, it was a good year.
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