Steelhead

[Yak Fish]

I got an invite to go fishing for steelhead in the tributaries of Lake Erie in PA. I've never fished for these guys although I've fished plenty for trout. I'm not a fly fisherman and I don't think this is the time to learn. In the research I've done over the past few days, it sounds like spinners and drift fishing works well. Does anyone have any experience with this type of fishing and have some tips, lures, bait, etc for me?

[Memory Maker]

call me ...... done it a few times

[striperstalker]

I have been Steelhaed fishing up there for 30 years. We never use more then 6lb test in the streams if its gin clear sometimes we go to a 4lb floro leader with a well lubed and ajusted drag. Drifting a single cured salmon egg on a #10 hook with one splitshot works..buy the eggs up there. We always have a pack of spikes (maggots) drift on small hook. They sell a jig up there a mini foo or boo 1/32 oz or 1/16 below a small float tipped with a couple of maggots. sucker spawn a fly in green or orange fished with spinning gear. spinners can spook them unless the water is up, a lil high water is good as they spook easy. If casting in the lake a LIL Cleo spoon is the stand by up there in blue & silver. I have caught steelies to 10lb and have had 12+ fish ruin me. These fish at times will bite like a 3 inch perch till ya hook um!!! Then they run and can scream out 100ft of line in seconds. Good Luck! pm me if ya have any questions.

[new2yaks11]

To Fish,

I've never gone after Steelheads but want to do it so bad. Good luck to you. Please post and let everyone know how you do up there.

[Memory Maker]

new2yaks11 ....... check your messages

[chimo]

I have been Steelhaed fishing up there for 30 years. We never use more then 6lb test in the streams if its gin clear sometimes we go to a 4lb floro leader with a well lubed and ajusted drag. Drifting a single cured salmon egg on a #10 hook with one splitshot works..buy the eggs up there. We always have a pack of spikes (maggots) drift on small hook. They sell a jig up there a mini foo or boo 1/32 oz or 1/16 below a small float tipped with a couple of maggots. sucker spawn a fly in green or orange fished with spinning gear. spinners can spook them unless the water is up, a lil high water is good as they spook easy. If casting in the lake a LIL Cleo spoon is the stand by up there in blue & silver. I have caught steelies to 10lb and have had 12+ fish ruin me. These fish at times will bite like a 3 inch perch till ya hook um!!! Then they run and can scream out 100ft of line in seconds. Good Luck! pm me if ya have any questions.

This about covers it. Only thing I don't striperstalker mentioned was emerald shiners (minnows). Most people drift fish them through runs and holes, but I had a lot of fun sight fishing the Erie tribs by twitching a nose hooked weightless emerald shiner through a hole. If you are drift fishing, the thing to remember is to use just enough weight to have your bait just ticking the bottom.

For equipment, most spin fishermen prefer a 8-12 ft light action noodle rod matched with a medium spinning real with a very smooth drag and 4-6 lb test. This time of year the chromers are just out of the lake and will amaze you with their runs and acrobatics! Hell of a lot of fun to catch but not much for the table unless you want to smoke one. Also, be prepared for crowds and some pretty poor manners. On the weekend the popular holes can be shoulder to shoulder, "combat fishing" at its finest :/ Enjoy and I look forward to seeing some pics!

Chimo

[Yak Fish]

It looks like I'll be going at the beginning of November. I got a 9' noodle rod, spooled up with 8# mainline and 6# fluoro leader. I also picked up some extra terminal tackle. I'll be taking my smoker up which should be pretty awesome. I think I'm ready for this! Thanks guys.