Anybody ever use riggers in the Carleton Island Area?

[frogpawg]

I Have fished (trolling) this area for appr. 8 years now and alway's fished 15 to 30 fow with stickbaits and had very good success with Northerns. I really want to get into some Walleye and wondered everyones thoughts on there depth in Mid to Late August in this area? Has anybody ever gotten in the deep channels in this area and got down below 30' with any success with any species? In previous trips this time of year with surface temps at 70 to 73 I have marked alot of fish along drop off's/edges in the 30 to 60 fow range and would love to hook on to a couple to see what they are? Main question, does anyone fish this area with riggers at these depths? Thanks in advance for any insight.

Frogpawg

[Gene Shenk]

Frogpawg

I have done it in that area and down near clayton as well just make sure you know your water because the bottom is not always very forgiving also make sure your clutch is set right on your downrigger so you do not break anything. I have not had any success with the walleye doing this but I have found some very nice size northerns and smallmouths in 40 to 60 feet of water at times there. You may encounter a musky as well. I lost a very big fish using a 8oz trolling weight pulling a orange crush M.stinger Mag out 200 ft over 50 ft near ell bay last month I am not sure what it was but it took out 150' line real fast and then broke 20lb fusion off above the weight I would have liked to have seen it. Good Luck

ps: I am not a walleye guy so the baits I was pulling where probably not good walleye gear, let me know if you can dial that part in.

[rustyrat]

you might want to try running dipsys.

RR

[frogpawg]

Thanks Gene & RR, I will let you know how I make out. I am heading up on Friday and will be fishing for 8 days or so. Has anyone heard about the eye's starting to hit with any consistency yet? Thanks again.

Frogpawg

22' C-Dory White with blue trim

[Iceman]

Used to fish this area frequently in the early 90's. Picked up several > 40" muskies trolling along the North side of Carelton Island from the West end of the island green bouy past Iron man to the East end of the island. Cought an 11.8 Lb eye where the ferry crosses from Cape Vincent to Wolfe Island in the middle of the river. This fish hit a stacker 50' down. Also used boards with deep divers from the ferry crossing area down to Carelton with some good days on eyes. You have to be aware of the river current, you will really have to pick up your speed going with the current & do the opposite going against the current. Watch out for the reef that starts at the Green bouy just off of the Cape Vincent launch, it is just under the surface almost all the way to Carelton Island. It also gets very tight at the West end of Carelton when a freighter comes along (their air horns are loud).

[frogpawg]

Gene/RR/Iceman,

Thanks for your info . Didn't have any luck at all on the downriggers, but again, great pike fishing in 17 to 30 FOW trolling stickbaits. Hot lures were Reef Runner, Deep Divers in Orange/Black and Silver/Black, also did well on the pike with Rebel jointed spoonbills in Silver/Black and Yellow/Black. Boated several NP's in excess of 34", see attached pic of a 40" . Tried for the eye's several nights along Carleton again, with no luck. Jigged with erie deries as well as trolled some crawler harness's, just no luck Thanks again guys for your input, I had a great time all week.

Frogpawg

22' C-dory