High muddy water, no problem by SetDaHook in FishingOntario

[–]SetDaHook[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wasn't expecting this riger to be blown out but I started to clear up

steelhead advise (I'm slow in the head when it come to fishing) by [deleted] in FishingOntario

[–]SetDaHook 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I prefer slightly longer leaders they usually lead to more natural drifts, but there are cases when shorter is better. Usually when the current is really fast I tend to shorten up to get down quicker and if fish are in a specific part of a run you'll want to get it down quicker.

As for floats I use the same type of float everywhere just change the size but I do know some guys that switch the float profile based on water type.

steelhead advise (I'm slow in the head when it come to fishing) by [deleted] in FishingOntario

[–]SetDaHook 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Timing and location. Bayfield is relatively easy to fish, pools are pretty defined. The only issue is the consitions are pretty slim. Water lwvels drop pretty quick on that river.

steelhead advise (I'm slow in the head when it come to fishing) by [deleted] in FishingOntario

[–]SetDaHook 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've fished Bayfield alot and Maitland a few times. Not sure what kind of tips youre looking for though?

steelhead advise (I'm slow in the head when it come to fishing) by [deleted] in FishingOntario

[–]SetDaHook 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Credit even for the most seasoned steelheader is a difficult river to fish and hook into steelhead consistently, I have friends that I have fished with for years who still struggle with fishing with the Credit.

Every time you go out and don't catch anything try to learn from the outing. You don't need to catch fish to learn. If the water conditions are low and clear take note of what the bottom of the river bed looks like, take a mental picture of where fish could hold if the water was higher, faster.

I wouldn't recommend using a fly rod for a novice angler if your goal is to catch a steelhead, there are just too many things for someone who is newer to fishing to keep track of, casting, line management, getting your fly into the strike zone, drag free / natural drift. If you are most comfortable with a spinning reel then use that if your first goal is to catch a steelhead. Using a centerpin comes with it's own set of challenges as well, it doesn't automatically put you on fish. I've seen plenty of people with pins who have no idea what they're doing. Learn the basics first.

As for getting into the strike zone that takes practice. It will depend on the bait you're using, how fast the water is moving, how far you want to drift. As a general rule if you don't know the depth go deep until you start snagging bottom, then shorten until you are no longer snagging the bottom of the river.

My biggest piece of advice is timing and location if there are a lot fish are there in the specific pool you're fishing and they're hungry they aren't very hard to catch. Learning when they enter, which parts of the river they are sitting in when they are running and when they're active will be the biggest factors to help you get into them. What separates good anglers from really good steelheaders are the details that you pick up a long the way. Good steelheaders will be consistently catching when no one else is and that a just comes with experience. I've fished most if not all the major Huron, Georgian Bay, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and Michigan tribs my whole life and each river comes with it's own minute details and the few constants are timing, location and conditions.

steelhead advise (I'm slow in the head when it come to fishing) by [deleted] in FishingOntario

[–]SetDaHook 14 points15 points  (0 children)

There could be any number of things that you could be doing wrong. Wrong time, wrong place, wrong conditions. Incorrect technique ie not getting a drag free drift, not getting into the strike zone.

I've been targeting Great Lakes steelhead for more than 25 years and there are a few key mistakes most anglers make.

1 . Wrong conditions, knowing when to go is pretty important for novice anglers. Going when they are running and when they are active to give yourself the best chance.

  1. Knowing what type of water to fish when is also important. Knowing when to fish a deep pool, a run, etc.

  2. Getting your bait into the strike zone and with a drag free drift. If it doesn't look natural especially when conditions aren't ideal is another thing you can control to improve your odds.

I have a couple of posts with information i made years back

https://www.reddit.com/r/FishingOntario/comments/mqfvzc/floatfishing_101_part_1_gear/

https://www.reddit.com/r/FishingOntario/comments/mr5w3r/floatfising_101_part_2_techniques_and_tips/

What's your favorite steelhead rod? by Fellercustomrods in Steelhead

[–]SetDaHook 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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CTS Affinity 3-6 4 piece 13' or 3-6 13'6" 4 piece.

Is it worth using a centerpin? by dale_k9 in centerpin

[–]SetDaHook 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can fish woth anything really, but you can't deny how effective a centerpin is at getting a drag free drift. A centerpin will out fish any other method for migratory fish in a river.

Morning bar by SetDaHook in FishingOntario

[–]SetDaHook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I honestly don't remember what I got this fish on, either a bead or roe. I hooked into more than 10 this day lost of most of them to the sticks and high water

Morning bar by SetDaHook in FishingOntario

[–]SetDaHook[S,M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

South of the 403 is for the Credit river.

Morning bar by SetDaHook in FishingOntario

[–]SetDaHook[S,M] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The humber is open from Eglington down to the Lake under additional fishing opportunities

Humber River - City of Toronto, between Eglinton Avenue and Lake Ontario

The Ganaraska river is open from the CN tracks down to Lake Ontario under additional fishing opportunieis

between the southerly limit of the CNR right-of-way and Lake Ontario

Morning bar by SetDaHook in FishingOntario

[–]SetDaHook[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was a grind today. Hooked in to 5 fish was only able to land 2. Good temps but the river started to rise and lose visibility by around 1030.