Lower Niagara Musky

[Aaron Shirley]

Gman joined me for a musky troll on the Niagara River on Saturday for what could be our last kick at the can for the season. Figuring there would be a lot of fishing pressure on the upper, we decided to try the lower. I didn't expect much, knowing that the lower river is typically a very tough musky fishery with a small population. Also, knowing the trout fishing would probably be hot, I removed all my trout gear out of the boat so I wouldn't be tempted to go for trout after trolling for hours without a bite.

 

 

 

For those of you that haven't noticed, there are 4 rods in the water in Ontario waters of the lower Niagara River in our spread shot, and only 2 of us fishing. The regs changed about three years ago to allow 2 rods per person on the Ontario side of the lower Niagara River, but it is still only one rod per person for the upper Niagara. The extra rods still didn't help us any lol.

 

We trolled up and down the Ontario shoreline for 12 hours into the December darkness. We varied our speeds, did S patterns, switched up lures and colours often, and despite the beautiful green water with about 2.5' of vis, we only managed one small musky at about 1pm. It was about 38" give or take. I got the fish on a 13" Grandma, and it came in like a wet sock while I winched it in with a Rapala Hydros reel spooled up with 80lb Suffix braid. I was hoping to see a mid-forty-inch range musky or bigger, but I didn't even mark one big hook in the 12 hours we fished Still better than getting skunked.

 

 

 

Even though it was tough fishing, it was a beautiful December day to be out trolling with a buddy. We saw some nice wildlife and shared a few laughs. Thanks for joining me Gavin.

 

 

 

I'm trying to get the last day of the ontario musky season off work to try again. Hey, a tough day of musky fishing is still better than working After December 15th, I'll be chasing chrome. Good luck to anyone that will be out for the last kick at the can musky fishing!

 

Aaron

[Smarty Pantz]

Well, like you said, at least your weren't skunked. Nice muskie and beautiful shots

[bassman87]

awesome job aaron

[mercman]

Thanks Aaron!!! I'm almost equipped to hunt for muskie for the first time next season.Got the rod, now lets hope Santa is an angler so he knows what reel i need.Got some nice spinners from MikeP to get me started, and hopefully a day on the water with Roy as my teacher.

 

 

 

[Carp]

You had a nice day on the water.

The fish was a bonus.

[Joey]

Great job Aaron, sticking it out like that payed off

 

Great pictures and report.

 

Joey

[Guest JPCT]

Nice

 

I've seen quite a few musky pulled out of the lower Niagara over the last 5 days..

 

Drifting for steel none the less.. lol..

[vinnimon]

Good job aaron

I dont know how many hours Ive spent trolling for those toothy critters, only to have one nibble and spit this season!

But the trout gear always comes along for a ride as well

[Aaron Shirley]

Nice

 

I've seen quite a few musky pulled out of the lower Niagara over the last 5 days..

 

Drifting for steel none the less.. lol..

 

Figures!!!

[glen]

Nice looking fish. Thanks for the report.

[Terry]

nice going

[muskymatt]

Nice December 'skie!

[Handlebarz]

Nice going Aron it looks like it was a great day out there for you guys.

[Leecher]

Nicely done Aaron Beauty ski

Leechman

[highdrifter]

Nicely Done!! Thanks for the write up dude.

[Ron]

And to think I turned down the offer to join you, my bad

 

I/we didn't get out at all this weekend. Nice catch to end the season with, Aaron, good on ya.

 

Cheers, Ron...

Edited December 14, 2010 by Ron

[Squid]

Well at least we got out and fished the closer. There were a few boats on the upper and Lake Erie did not produce any pigs either. Overall nice day to be out on the water.

[ehg]

Excellent report! 12 hours out in a boat at this time of year is hardcore.

Nice rare lower Niagara musky.

[frozen-fire]

Nice looking muskie for sure.

 

Is it just me, or are there hawks everywhere right now?

I can't seem to go anywhere without seeing several of them.

[Spiel]

That's a lot of hours for one fish Aaron/Gavin but it's a great looking fish.

[corvette1]

nice ski Aaron congrats