suckers...the fish

[flatsman]

Heading out the door now for my first sucker fishing of the year. I will post up on how I did upon my return. Anyone else been out?

[fishing addict]

I,tried the Thornapple River, east of, Vermontville, Thursday and today. Soaked worms and crawlers for two hours both days. Not even a nibble,either day. Guess they are not here yet. So,I, went to the Grand River, and tried lures for steelhead. No luck there either. Can't wait for Northern's, to be legal again. I, can always hit those on the Thornapple. Caught and released 301,during 2002.

[Lunker]

Those hammerhandles are much better tasting than suckers. Fried in butter and drakes mix NorPike are some of the best eating fish when young.

[fishing addict]

I, like eating pike. All of those were caught within 5 miles of home,and ,I, like the constant action even better. I, ate some of the keepers,I, caught in other waters. I, released all the ones close to home so,I, could go catch one anytime,I, wanted to. They are good sauteed in butter in the microwave, also.

[LandonSenk@ameritech.net]

Went to Omer public access not one sucker others settin up nets still ice on top and some that sunk

[fishing addict]

Tried again today,still no luck.Seen another fisherman who said he caught three suckers yesterday,and two today. Guess,I,didn't hold my mouth right.

[Big Al]

I'm going to have to get down to the dam on the Thornapple here in Middleville and see if they're up yet. I did real well last year and I'm looking forward to more smoked sucker this year.

[koby]

i had smoked sucker once in my life and it was killer!!!

never fished for them, maybe you can educate me

whats the most common method for catching them, and best time of year?

whats the best type of river or stream to fish...im about 3 hours east of where youre fishing....thats a little too far!?

any info greatly appreciated

thanks
koby

[Big Al]

Spring is probably the best time of the year to fish for suckers, they will run upriver to the dams to spawn just like so many other fish and you can get into some very dense concentrations of them. Pretty much any river or good size stream will get a sucker run. You can catch them all year long. In the summer I usually start near a decent size hole, fishing eith a buddy, we'll put one line at the front of the hole, one at the back, and two in the middle. As soon as you figure out where the fish are relocate all your lines and have fun.
As for rigging, the easiest is to use 6-10lb test, a #4-6 hook and a smallest size egg sinker you can and still hold the bait in 1 spot (usually 1/2 to 1 oz. depending on the current). I like to leave a 2' leader or so between the sinker and the hook. After you make your cast, let it settle to the bottom and reel your line tight and wait. Rod holders or the age old forked stick are a must. Sucker bites are a very distinct tap, tap, tap that you'll see in your line and at the end of your rod tip. Bait is usually crawlers or leaf worms wadded on to the hook, but some guys use plain green sponge (I've never tried it but some people swear by it).

[koby]

1 more question

on damless rivers/streams in the spring, will they be concentrated in big holes or are they scattered about various holes?

thanks again

[Big Al]

Big holes are a good bet but don't overlook the smaller holes if the big ones aren't producing. Holes just below where a smaller stream enters is a good spot to try also. I'm by no means an expert on sucker fishing but these are places that have worked for me in the past.

[dugfish]

i was in Omer an hour ago
the water was open on the south side
the north side was ICE
wont be long
doug

[Can't Touch This]

i like to fish for suckers on the huron over by my house. it gets good runs and nobody fishes for them so you have choice spots all to yourselfes. i have been there 3 times this year so far and not even a bite. when do u think they will start running

[fishing addict]

Caught one last night. Got a bite Monday.but caught my first one this year,Wednsday,afternoon.If they are this far up the ,Thornapple,they should be most everywhere in southern half of,Michigan.

[LittleMac]

About bait....the larger of the common garden worms...grey in color also work well later on in the season when the ground permits. Used to get ours at the edge of a cornfield near the fence row and some near manure piles with farmer's permission.

Excellent bait.

Good fishing, Mac

[cireofmi]

Does the amount of worm matter much? Does the way the worm is thread matter much? For example, if I buy night crawlers, tear one apart, and just put it on the hook will that work? In other words, are suckers picky?

[stelmon]

I saw one caught yesterday. Won't be long....

[scottyhoover]

I've had awesome days fishing Suckers in Frankenmuth. I don't think they are quite there yet, get ready though, it should only be a couple weeks.

I don't think they are picky at all, I like to run a harness so the crawler dangles naturally in the current. #12 - #8 hooks are a good start, but I don't think it matters a whole lot.

[fishing addict]

I,caught one redhorse today,about 2&1/2 pounds,18inches or so.Skyrocketed a foot out of the water. Not a bad fight for a sucker. Looked fat with row.

[koby]

ive read a couple of posts (one from the baitshop guy in Lexington) in the last two days that theres a ton of suckers in the harbor right now

anyone caught em there?

[LandonSenk@ameritech.net]

Suckers are runnin in omer at the recreation area

[fishing addict]

The females,I've, caught this week appear to have spawned. After tomorrow it will be PIKE,PIKE, & more PIKE. No time for suckers then. They take too much time to catch. Probably won't get much sleep tonight.Last year,I, had 70 pike by now. Due to ice on my favorite river,only caught one so far this year,last day of the last season.LIVE,EAT, & BREATH, fish.Best spot to catch pike? Your favorite sucker hole!