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Susky From: Ryan (192.77.198.11), Pennsylvania
It seems to be a trend that is ongoing for me anyway. From Harrisburg to Conowingo the river is slooow. Zero keepers caught in the lunker tournament at Long Level last night. Somethin' major wrong From: Groot (4.238.164.151), Pennsylvania Been skunked several times this year already. Not sure what is wrong, but don't think it's the hot weather. 3 years ago during drought had 20-40 fish days regularly. Am goin' to try night time before I get totally depressed, but even the dinks aren't hitting as you said. I hate to think there was a major fish kill that nobody alerted us to, but not even seeing the fish. Fish issues From: Pat Weis (209.48.188.28), Pennsylvania Many are starting to talk about Cormorants...many are complaining that there are too many tournaments. In my opinion, if the river gets to 4' after the big rain, guys will start whacking them. Just a natural down year From: FishAddict (69.242.96.119), Pennsylvania Someone else who knows summed it up best that those past years had insanely high numbers of fish with many small fish that have since grown up and gotten smarter or perished. Spawns after that were very poor so all those fish were not replaced and result now is a lot fewer fish and not likely to super great fishing any time soon. Good news is recent spawn looks to be good so years ahead should be better. In summary, the good old days were way above normal, this year is way below the norm, and hopefully will get back to normal next year. Basically just a natural flucuating population cycle instead of the perennial super high numbers we all got used too. Someone else suggested that too many people were overfishing the spawning beds resulting in poor spawns. Cormorants and Tourneys From: FishAddict (69.242.96.119), Pennsylvania Cormorants were blamed a lot last year. recently I see a lot more fisherman than cormorants so I dont blame cormorants in fact they seem to have skipped town along with the fish. I have not seen many except by conowingo. I am no fan of tournaments but somewhere I read some formal study (not by tourney folks) that a properly conducted tournament does no more damage to fishery than normal fisherman. Problem could be tourneys during spawn or anyone targeting beds in spawn. May not apply to Susqy, but there was a Lake erie study that showed if fish is taken off the bed for too long then likely bed will be destroyed (in that case by little goby fish) susky From: klayton (209.23.230.61), Pennsylvania I think there are still many fish in the river. I have noticed a huge amount of natural feed. tons of crawfish and huge numbers of shad. the fish are simply fed up. The shad are about an inch long. the perfect size for small and large fish. that would explain why were are not catching 30 5-7inch fish a day. I think once the river comes up and there is more oxygen in the water, the fish will bite some. also in early fall once the shad get too big for the small fish they will hit better. its still hard to believe not one keep was caught in the longlevel tourney. usually someone will figure the fish out. I'm guessing the mony will carry over to next week. good luck, that will be a nice payout. (Do you need insurance coverage to fish the thursday evening tourneys??? Skunky Susky From: Clk (64.235.166.145), Pa they're all dead, I quit Ouch From: SmallieRick (64.12.116.66), Pennsylvania Fished above Duncannon on Sat and Sun with 11 other guys. WOW, what a difference. We go same time every year. Usually can get 40 or more a day and have approached the 100 mark once. Well I got 12 on Sat and 8 on Sun. Some guys managed only one or two . I think the temp drop from the rain may have played a part. Water seems like it dropped 10 degrees. The other not so wonderful thing that is going on is the smallies that are two or three inches are floating on top and have a fungus on them.Saw some living and a bunch dead.Even saw a carp with the fungus. Pretty sure this occured because of the high water temps in previous weeks. Guess this is gonna mess up another year's spawn.On the positive side, I did land an 18" on Sat and a 17.5" on Sun suskey From: jim b (12.111.199.14), Pennsylvania The fish are still there. They did not go anywhere. The problem is the great spawn and the great crawfish hatch. Over abundance of forage is making fishing tough. We are going to have some great fishing he next few years . the river at Harrisburg From: mikey (168.133.61.130), Pennsylvania Obviously you guys have lost your touch. I have been fishing there at city Island and have been catching many fish. A buddy of mine is also catchin many fish. Maybe you'all need to practice more, I don't know. But the I quit attitude is great cuz I'm catchin' fish there and as long as you guys complain enough and stop fishing there, I'll have all the fish to myself. Yeah Right... From: SmallieRick (64.12.116.66), Pennsylvania Mikey, funny how you are the ONLY one catching a lot of fish. I fish it down in Md alot and it is the worst I have seen in 6 years. I did get one over 20" last week but only 5 fish in 7 hours. yeah right From: mikey (168.133.61.130), Pennsylvania I'm not the ONLY one catchin fish. Everyone I know is. You have to adapt to the conditions. If you fished and caught many fish at Middletown 6 years ago on the west shore, and now you are not, then move. Maybe the habitat changed, therefore the fish have also. There is still plenty of fish there, you just got to find them. Thats all I'm sayin. i used to catch many fish at Middletown and have not had much lick there this year, so I changed my pattern and went to city island, which is where I used to do so well years ago. Now I'm back and lovin it. The fishin is fantastic! in your dreams From: slashnsplash (68.83.124.169), Virginia Lol. My Super Slab From: J Barden (68.83.22.34), Pennsylvania I usally wade the river in perdix at Big rock and used to catch at least 30-50 a day a dink about every 2 or 3 casts. This year I have noticed ther serious decline like every one else. The conditions look perfect, but the fishing is soooo slow. Last time I went which was last weekend i caught only 3 fish ; two dinks on small grubs. Tried to swithch it up a bit and tied on a 1/8 once black rooster tail as the sun was dipping below the trees. The second cast I thought I hit a snag till i felt the pole wiggle. I knew I had a something huge on but not sure it was a smallie. Sure enough saw the flash of gold on the side this Super Slab and knew it was a smallie then. She was about 20" but super Fat and wide loaded with a big belly of crawfish. She hade to be pushin 5 lbs. Biggest slab I ever caught on the susky. My buddy was way down river I screamed for him to come see it to have some backup, so i wasnt just tellin a fish story. By the time i got here down river she was tired. He verified and I let her go. Wish I had a camera to snap a pic but I will carry one from know on. I hope this give hope for the people complaining about the slow river while the numbers of fish I caught have decreased the number of quality fish have increased(caught two 16-18" fish on tiny tubes last time out). I would rather have one huge memorable slab, than a bunch of worthless dinks. So as an FYI try throwing unconvential lures that other people arent using(ie in line spinners and propeller jig heads) and you might hook up with your own super slab. Tight Lines J Barden |
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