First Timer on the sag river

[pollywog]

Could use some helpboys.Planning a trip this weekend to the river for some eye fishin,what do i need for bait?what size raps,ect...tipped with minnows...???all informationwould be greatly appreciated,,,area to fish?? best times?/ thanks in advance>;)

[William H Bonney]

Just be at the bait shop when it opens, then start looking for the OLDEST guy in there and see what he's got in his hands. That's what I used to do, when I fished the river.

[scottyhoover]

You forgot the part where you follow him to his holes....you know...the same holes he's been using for a month :) seriously, someone will chime in with some real info later:)

[tubejig]

I am interested in going as well and would like some info if possible.


tubejig

[Ralph Smith]

Been fishing the river for the 12 years I've been in Bay City and never seen anyone catch more fish than a buddy of mine. Just uses plain old jigheads(1/3 to 3/4 ounce) depending on current, in the chartruese color with the body of twister tail pushed down past barb of jig. Don't forget a stinger hook ( a must ). Tipped with a nice minnow(blues preferably) and don't pound bottom. Fish about 4" about it. We've always done best just out of channel on flats, especially evening. As soon as the sun disappears, hang on the action is from then till dark.

[William H Bonney]

LOL,, I was serious!! That's how I learned to fish that river,,I'd hang out at the bait shop and watch the old timers. I never followed them to their holes,,,, but pretty close:rolleyes:

[twoatatime]

Thought you were headed up to cadillac. First thing is first. You need to buy some real rod and reels. 6 lb. is best. Your favorite grandpa hand-me-down rods won't cut it. size five rapalas work best , but 7 will do. try 1 larger minnow on one rod, and two minnow heads off the middle treble on the other. As far as the hot spots, that's a secret. We had our limit by 11:15 the other day. Remember the bet we had last spring!!! Good Luck. Call me when u are ready to learn.

[patcheroo]

I was going to add my 2 cents here but sounds like you're getting some good info.....Patch

[snakebit67]

If you are new to the river, make sure you follow someones tracks. Ice conditions can differ every foot. Best ice is downtown as a rule. You will see people when you cross the Z-bridge. If you need directions downtown PM me.

[flyrod4steelhead]

Jiggin Raps #5-#7 all different colors, you can get away with a #3, but those you need hardly any current. Jig Heads 1/4oz-3/4oz. Minnows on the jig head along with a stinger hook. Swedish pimples, different sizes and colors. Some like to tip their Raps with a minnow head, but I have done just as good without the minnow head. For the Raps, watch your front and back hooks. I, along with others (not saying that everyone has) have lost fish do these hooks getting caught on the bottom of the hole. I cut them off.

Good luck. I'm sure their will be others that will chime in :)

[Ralph Smith]

A little trick I learned when fishing with raps is to take the rear hook and crimp barb, then slide a treble (same size as one underneath) over the hook, then take a lighter and heat that rear hook a little so it don't break, and bend it downward tward fin. This secures it to rap, and you now have two trebles, one in center hook near head of minnow, and the one you just made hook tward rear of minnow, where ever it lines up to hold minnow parallel to rap. Looks like two minnows swimming together:)

[riverboy]

My trick for the Rapala's is to cut the rear hook off as well. I havent had the front hook get caught yet. Another trick Im still testing this year is painting your Rapala's with glow paint. The Firetiger Rap looks sweet glowing.