What's a fella gotta do?

[mmason]

My son and I have been out night fishing a few times of late with no luck. Last night was warm and bright with the full moon so we went down to the lighthouse at Dick Bell Park, fished different areas of the point on the river side for over 2 hours, and ended up leaving for home with only 1 small nibble to talk about. We threw different cranks, jig heads, and spinners.... tried Senko worms, scented leeches, and live minnows under bobbers - nothing.

Is there something we're missing or are we just on a streak of night fishing bad luck? Is there a chance that using night fishing bobbers would help - or is that just to make the bobber more visible?

[Bass Addict]

It's a possibility that the fish have moved in to deeper water

[zippyfx]

I was skunked on Thursday night on the Ottawa at a spot that usually produces (not much but at least something).

Not just you

[Daboss]

Me too, was out on the Ottawa below Deschenes Saturday and all my best spots came up empty! Not even the ever present catfish!

[mmason]

Thanks for the replies, at least we know we're not the only ones going home empty

On the up side.... last night was warm, the water was flat, the moon was full, and it was a nice night to be out by the river.

[mmason]

It's a possibility that the fish have moved in to deeper water

Thanks. I've mentioned before that we're new to the fishing scene here, is this something that happens around this time of year?

[tbone1088]

The lighthouse at andrew haydon is a good spot but you have to hit it at the right time of year. There are alot of weeds in that area and some of them are starting to die off which is something fish don't like so they move. Also fish move seasonally as well getting ready for the harshness of winter and usually this means into deeper holes.This time of year its hard to beat fishing near a dam/deep hole spot. I won't give out specific spots, but there are plenty of stations in and around the city to get you started. Lure wise if you have live bait more power to you the battle is half won already, if not be prepared to work a little or a lot. I will almost always start out with a grub on a heavy head when the water gets this cold, let it sink to the bottom then crank the reel SLLOOWWWW. I can't emphasize the slow part enough! If your in a deep spot let it sink every now and again just to make sure your close to the bottom. However, if the weather gets really nice like TOMMORROW:) ie. cloudy and warm the water temp goes up and the fish metabolism goes up. They are more wreckless because of the grey skies and willing to chase baits even at this time of year. For these times I will take out the lipless cranks with rattles, shad raps without rattles, pretty much any crank bait you can work slow and that goes deep. Move alot if nothing is biting. It's not good to go to spots where you are limited in movement, even more so at this time of year.
Hopefully some of this advice will help you, if you catch some post the report would love to hear it:)

[RJ]

It's a possibility that the fish have moved in to deeper water

Thanks. I've mentioned before that we're new to the fishing scene here, is this something that happens around this time of year?

Water temp on the Ottawa I'd bet is near 40 and maybe lower. Weeds are dying or dead. The baitfish etc. (ie food) have simply moved on from that location to deeper areas and other more suitable areas for winter. When they leave so does everything else.

Shore fishing now is tough with the exception of some dam areas, bridges and other big structures that will still hold some heat and cover for bait to hang around and where's there's bait....well. You know.

RJ

[mmason]

Water temp on the Ottawa I'd bet is near 40 and maybe lower. Weeds are dying or dead. The baitfish etc. (ie food) have simply moved on from that location to deeper areas and other more suitable areas for winter. When they leave so does everything else.

Shore fishing now is tough with the exception of some dam areas, bridges and other big structures that will still hold some heat and cover for bait to hang around and where's there's bait....well. You know.

RJ

Makes sense.

Thanks.

[tbone1088]

Took a trip down to victoria island today for a bit of afternoon fishing and caught a nice eater walleye about a pound and a half on my third cast I started with a twister and on the third cast added a minnow head and the bait didn't even get to the bottom before he smacked it. Caught one more a little while later with the same rig and unfortunately my last minnow That was it for the bites they wouldn't touch my artificials and I tried alot of them. I'm sure if you bring your kid there with some live minnows you will get into some nice action. RJ you sound like you have fished this time of year before quite a bit, what artificials or techniques do you use to bring them in?

[RJ]

RJ you sound like you have fished this time of year before quite a bit, what artificials or techniques do you use to bring them in?

A few trains of thought go with Fall fishing.

Reaction baits like jerkbaits and cranks can be unreal on the right day when fish are fired up.

Slowing down with tubes, bucktail jigs etc. is more reliable for me for almost every species including Muskie.

RJ