Niagara River Musky Reports

[mostlymuskies]

We trolled around Navy Island, Boyers Creek & Black Creek only to look at tight lipped muskies directly on boddom.Light fog was moving in so we moved back up river by Frenchmen's Creek closer to the launch.At 00:35 we finally caught a 39" muskie on a Hi-Fin Trophy Diver Jtd in Capt Larry Gold.John Pensyl caught a fat 45" muskie last night as well.

[mostlymuskies]

If the thunder & heavy rains hold out we will be back out on the Upper Niagara River again tonight,we will work the Beaver Island Beach Reef to start!

[mostlymuskies]

28 mph wind gusts, then thunder & heavy rain kept us off the river last night.Will get back on the water tonight until 2 am.

[mostlymuskies]

Well I hate cold fronts,looked at every muskie just glued to the bottom all night last night,no hits! Only managed a 3 lb smallmouth bass.We quit at 2:30 am when it was close to 50 degrees out.

[mostlymuskies]

I will not be able to report on the Niagara River again until October 1st.Leaving soon for Washington State fishing trip, sturgeon, salmon & steelhead for 3 weeks.

[Shorthanded]

I will not be able to report on the Niagara River again until October 1st.Leaving soon for Washington State fishing trip, sturgeon, salmon & steelhead for 3 weeks.

 

Have fun Capt!

[mostlymuskies]

Jack, Thanks! Still trying to catch that 40 lb King and 20 lb Steelhead.I have come close both on the Columbia & Skajit Rivers in past years.Helps when you have family out in the Pacific Northwest and a brother that has a Ford 3/4 ton diesel truck w/camper and 23 ft a Weld craft with 200 hp jet and 8 hp kicker rigged for ocean, bays and rivers!

Edited September 9, 2014 by mostlymuskies

[itstings]

i don't muskie fish but love the reports !!!   have great time !!

[mostlymuskies]

I'm now back from the Washington State Salmon & Steelhead Trip and will get back out on the Upper Niagara River for muskies on Tuesday, report to follow.

[slapshot]

We would like to try our hand at musky fishing this year.  We go and have gone on trips up north for large pike and walleye.  Pike as large as 53", but we cast for them.  Can you offer some advice as to where to start, troll or cast, what types of baits and colors, plus any other advice you may think will help our chances.  Thanks

 

Tony

[mostlymuskies]

I always have a tough time the start of October getting the muskies to bite on a regular basis here on the upper Niagara River.I think it relates to the rapid water temperature drop from day to day.The best option right now seems to be night trolling working structure edges of 16 ft to 21 ft on an upstream direction at 3.0 mph GPS over bottom.I start to go slightly bigger on my crankbaits using Legend Perchbaits 9", Hi-Fin Trophy Divers Jtd 9" in natural colors.As learned from many years of fishing the Upper Niagara River the action seems better from Beaver Island Beach to above Strawberry Island once the water temp approaches 60 degrees.I believe a lot of this has to do with Bait Fish schools moving to the deepest water areas of the West River.It is also best fishing when the water has a green tint over gin clear, if gin clear it is best on the New Moon dark side.But also do not over look the Full Moon and two days before and after, always big muskies caught then, especially when weather front is associated with or water has a tint, gin clear and full moon is like fishing during the daylight.Creek mouths offer water temperature variations that will move in bait fish at night and create food self for feeding muskies.Casting I would still use crankbaits like Wiley Musky King Jr. Jtd.5 1/2" casting shallows near Creek mouths and Legend Perchbaits 9" out over open deep water.The musky bite will pick up once the water temp drops below 60 degrees and when it gets near 50 degrees gizzard Shad will move in to the river and bring some Lake Erie Great Lakes Spotted Fattie Muskies on the feed in with them.In the colder water of 50 degrees and lower I prefer Legend Plows 13" in Golden Sucker color, others prefer Believer's Jtd 10" or Grandma 13"!

[mostlymuskies]

I have had no reports for awhile because I have been off the water for awhile getting many things done to free up time for late October through Dec 15th when I will be on the water just about every day.Taking a family vacation to Jamaica for 7 days so I will start back with Niagara River Reports on Oct 22nd.Everyone who gets out I hope the action picks up and a big Toothy Critter pays a visit to your boat.I still have a few days available for late October, November & December.

[mostlymuskies]

There were some nice mid to upper 40" muskies caught while I was away on vacation to Jamaica.Last night was my first night out from 7 pm to 11 pm, all fish were on bottom and not feeding on my offerings.Tommy caught a 42 " er just after I headed in, he said the Bait & fish came off the bottom around 11:15 And He Caught The Fish Soon after.Back out tonight most likely till 2 am.Surface water temp is now 57 degrees, coming down nice!

Edited October 24, 2014 by mostlymuskies

[mostlymuskies]

Rolling in the waves by the North Gap departure buoy at sundown when the kicker motor side rod got hit.45 1/2" chunky muskie took a Legend Perchbait inhaled.Took me awhile to cut 4 hook points so I kept her in the water and made for a safe release, passing on pictures being by myself.Decided to head in at 7 pm because the winds picked up even more.Back out Sunday night after the strong winds for Saturday pass.

[mostlymuskies]

Today the wind is blowing waves over the Sheridan Dr Launch Docks.Water will turn brown soon, hopefully by Sunday afternoon we could have water with green tint.

[mostlymuskies]

Winds died down at 6 pm, headed toward the Harbor tonight.

[mostlymuskies]

We marked lots of big hooks and plenty of bait fish last night rolling in the waves.But no hits at all, we quit at midnight.Water temp was 56 degrees in Harbor and 55 degrees up the Buffalo River.Back out tonight till 2 am.

[mostlymuskies]

Tonight was a good night 35",39",44 1/2" & 47" Fattie from 7 pm to 11 pm.I'll post pictures tomorrow.

Edited October 28, 2014 by mostlymuskies

[JakeyBaby]

Wow that's one hell of a night! Congrats

Edited October 28, 2014 by JakeyBaby

[mostlymuskies]

Last night there were 5 boats out and a total of 9 muskies caught,we caught 4 of them.Taking tonight off because of high winds,back out tomorrow night.

[old man]

Great photo. Looks bigger than 47.

Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

[mostlymuskies]

The fish looks bigger then 47" because the bottom half of the survival suit is black and so the bottom half of the holders body does not show in the picture.

[old man]

I'm getting a black suit

Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

[BlueEye]

Nice fish Larry!   Congrats on the beauty!! 

[mostlymuskies]

Chad thanks! Now I have to go out tonight and try to repeat the task!