is it to early for saugeye

[Grouse Man]

Is it to early for saugeye . I was hoping to get out to pleasent hill dam this weekend. I have only fished for saugeye 3 or 4 times but never this early in the year. I have never caught one and was wondering what size jigs i should use, and does minow,hook and a bobber work. any info will help.

[Smallmouth Crazy]

I usually wait until a little later in the year sometime next month maybe...I have had better luck in the fall with jerkbaits compared to jigs Rapala floaters and Storm Thundersticks to name a few...but jigs will do the job to we slayed Sauger and Saugeye in Marietta this last spring on a 1/8oz jig head and a 3" Chartruesse curlytail...I caught a couple Saugeye this last spring on accident while crappie fishing at Alum with a bass minnie below a bobber one was 17" I believe the other around 15" a very nice surprise :) Good Luck this fall.

[crawdiddy]

well I've been catching eyes all year in the river. the bite has picked up, but its still not optimum, should only get better. in the last week, I got 3 all about 20". rivers are probably picking up more than the reservoirs as I'm guessing the waters cool quicker, especially with the recent rains.

[fishfinder]

caught 69 in 2 hours a couple of weeks ago.

[Smallmouth Crazy]

WOW you must have been seeriously on them..Congratulations..any size????

[acklac7]

caught 69 in 2 hours a couple of weeks ago.


two words: Indian Lake

Wish the ODNR would give the Scioto a couple thousand more....I mean come on...A MILLION S-eyes got stocked there last year....

[crawdiddy]

yet it is soooo much harder to catch a 26" eye out of IL than the scioto

[acklac7]

yet it is soooo much harder to catch a 26" eye out of IL than the scioto

Very true...all of them little fingerling S-eye's stunt the overall average length of the population....Less competition = bigger fish...However I believe the ODNR has classified I.L. and deer creek as "meat holes"...That is to say there main focus is keeping stringers full ...They could care less about a thriving hog fishery. Now you can't go and do that in the Scioto...Cause too many S-eye will mess up the delicate ecological balance of the river (preditor/prey ratio and such)..But certain sections of the Scioto definitely need a "booster shot"

C.D. Im glad to hear that you keep doing well for eye's...cause where im fishing they are VERY spotty...Years ago I used to catch them like that..but not anymore :(....hey...at least they migrate!

[crawdiddy]

I had a great week, three about 20" in less than a week. But I am putting in some serious hours on that river to get those fish. And the baits I like to use for smallies, are ideal for eyes too. Pointer 100's, Rapala 13 type lures.