Anybody fish the raisin river? or Hellenberg park about 2 miles from lake erie?

[ark50000]

Need your help. I have a tournament June 22, which would be this weekend and i am not to familiar with lake erie or the Raisin River. We can fish both but like i said i have never fished there before. I figured since most of the crayfish spawn by rocks and most of the rocks are on the moth of the river that would be the best place to start. Or should i just stick to the river? If i were to fish the river should i fish the drop offs or overhanging branches along the river. I am comfortable with both but have been fishing drop offs for at least 8 years. WHat should i use? I know the small mouth like the tubes. I was also told that they dig the drop shot. Should i put a tube on a drop shot or a stick worm? Just need some tips for locations and things to attack or what type of structure to attack.
Thanks

[ACbassassassin]

That high school tournament?

[ark50000]

yes any tips?

[ACbassassassin]

yes any tips?

Never fished the area. Was just curious. Know a couple kids who are fishing it.

Wish I could be of some help... 

[sharpbass]

I grew up right on the river just past the last dam.  The fishing in the river is ok.  The docks at the turn around base hold some largemouth.  The intake to Monroe Power Plant creates some strong current some nice smallies have been taking on the dropshot.  The river up by Hellenberg park has become over run with weeds in the past few years.  I haven't fished that area in years.  White flukes are a good choice for the upper river near the dam.  Good luck!

[TimH]

My suggestion would be fish what you have confidence in.  If you are more comfortable fishing drop offs with tubes, then do that.  Often times having confidence is key to having a successful tournament.  However, you have to be able to adapt to changes.  If your confidence bait, spot, style, etc isn't working, then it would be a good time to try your secondary plan.  To many times I have not done well in a tournament because I opted to "do what i thought needed to be done", instead of fishing what gave me confidence.  I get back to the weigh in only to find that the guy that won it, did so with a technique I am most confident with, but I never throw it once.
If you do opt to fish erie, I would definitely use a drop shot.  I have a few preferred baits for drop shoting, but again, use what you have confidence is.  My first bait is a green pumpkin or purple senko wacky rigged, second would be a dream shot or robo worm in green pumpkin or purple, nose hooked.  My third bait is a erie darter green pumpkin or green pumpkin copper.

[ark50000]

I grew up right on the river just past the last dam.  The fishing in the river is ok.  The docks at the turn around base hold some largemouth.  The intake to Monroe Power Plant creates some strong current some nice smallies have been taking on the dropshot.  The river up by Hellenberg park has become over run with weeds in the past few years.  I haven't fished that area in years.  White flukes are a good choice for the upper river near the dam.  Good luck!

The monroe power plant is not far from the entrance into lake erie correct? i looked on the map and it is close to it. Just want to make sure i know what you are talking about.

[ark50000]

My suggestion would be fish what you have confidence in.  If you are more comfortable fishing drop offs with tubes, then do that.  Often times having confidence is key to having a successful tournament.  However, you have to be able to adapt to changes.  If your confidence bait, spot, style, etc isn't working, then it would be a good time to try your secondary plan.  To many times I have not done well in a tournament because I opted to "do what i thought needed to be done", instead of fishing what gave me confidence.  I get back to the weigh in only to find that the guy that won it, did so with a technique I am most confident with, but I never throw it once.
If you do opt to fish erie, I would definitely use a drop shot.  I have a few preferred baits for drop shoting, but again, use what you have confidence is.  My first bait is a green pumpkin or purple senko wacky rigged, second would be a dream shot or robo worm in green pumpkin or purple, nose hooked.  My third bait is a erie darter green pumpkin or green pumpkin copper.

I am comfortable with dropshotting, i have 3 rods set up with a tube, drop shot, and crank bait so going to be using several different things until i find one that works. And would you suggest going far out on to Erie or staying around the coastlines and mouth of the river? Thanks for the help

[Skulley]

When is your tournament?? Where is it launching from?? Depending on time of year, I can tell you what I would do if it were me and maybe what lures I would be going to. I fish out there a lot for bass as I am only 40 minutes from Lake Erie Metro Park.




BD.                             

[TimH]

SO how did the tournament go for you?