Steelies in the spring

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Finster
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2008/03/12 06:35:14 (permalink)

Steelies in the spring

Hey everyone,
                  I haven't been on in a while, I've been out in California making a living most of the winter. I'm heading back home around the first week of April and looking forward to the summer. I'm itching to wet a line and was wondering about steelies after the ice melts?  I was thinking of trolling along the shore past all of the creek mouths, say 4 mile and east. I was going to flatline some big rapalas and see if the steelies are around. Does this seem like a good idea that time of year or am I wasting my time. I would think they would be hanging around the creek mouths yet. I would love some opinions.
Thanks
 
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    jlh42581
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/12 08:08:32 (permalink)
    First week of April Id still be looking in the creeks.

    Jeremy
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    #2
    Storm Warning 2
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/12 14:17:10 (permalink)
    Trolling the creek mouths will work, I prefer the west side tribs myself. 
     
    I'd lose the big raps and go small.  J-9 and J-7 are good. 
    #3
    ShutUpNFish
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/12 16:18:08 (permalink)
    If I were you, I'd first try to fish the tribs that early in April.  There still should be steel in the creeks and there may even be some fresh jacks runnin'.  I would concentrate at the access areas of the streams to increase your odds.  Good luck and glad to see you coming back!

    #4
    Kokanee Killer
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/12 18:26:26 (permalink)
    there still should be decent numbers of steel although most will be spent but i do not mind these there still steelhead just a little worse for wear i have had some really good days in april.

    I have become comfortably numb
    #5
    cp13
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/12 20:39:46 (permalink)
     i would make a few trips before the 12th...or else you'll be fishing with every guy and his brother for pelletheads with steelhead tossed in with the bunch...unless you go upstream a little ways, but there will be less fish upstream..
    #6
    Finster
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/13 08:14:21 (permalink)
    Thanks for everyones input. I kind of want to keep in the boat off the shore just to keep away from all the others. It's crowded enough I'm sure. are any of these creeks wide and deep enough to travel up by boat? I doubt it but figured I will ask anyway. I don't want people casting into the boat or throwing rocks (like I would do) (grin). How about flat lining some crawler harnesses? Just off shore? I got quite a few non targeted steelies this summer while going after eyes.
    #7
    Storm Warning 2
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/13 13:28:21 (permalink)
    There can be an offshore steelhead fishery in the spring if you don't mind burning a lot of time and gas to do it.  Coastwatch will show you the contour maps and when you can find temp breaks stacked up off the PA shore, a lot of times they will hold steel.  Fish the top 10 fow and burn till you find the fish and it can be fast and furious if you find the fish.
     
     
    #8
    Deerslayir
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/13 15:16:24 (permalink)
    Theres a spring steelhead fishery in Erie??    Finister the spring fishing can be best of the year. You got mail
    #9
    spoonchucker
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/13 16:50:42 (permalink)
    There really ISN'T much of an offshore Steelhead fishery in the the spring, (the bay being an exception). Most newcomers in the spring are juveniles, and the run upstream as they arrive. Those Steelies remain in the streams ( and survive the run, and transition back to the lake ), head for parts "unknow" till later in the summer. They don't tend to linger along the shoreline long.

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    #10
    Storm Warning 2
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/14 10:39:08 (permalink)
    'Chucker...the Bay is NOT offshore.
     
    Run off Northeast and find the breaks.  We've done 5 or 6 fish in an hour out there on temp breaks when the Laker bite is slow. 
    #11
    spoonchucker
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/14 12:28:26 (permalink)
    Storm,
     
    I realize that in the pure sense it is not offshore. I included it for the purposes of this poster though. I believe he was inquiring about boat fishing, or trolling opportunities, as opposed to the streams, or creekmouth shoreline. The bay fits into his objective in this case.
     
    Pete Alex, of Visionquest would be an excellent source of information regarding spring Steelhead fishing in the bay. 

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    #12
    carpitiss
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/14 18:35:26 (permalink)
    there isn't much of a spring fishery for steelies. they all DIE when they emigrate from the streams.

    Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrppppppp!!!!
    #13
    swinger
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/14 18:44:20 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: carpitiss

    there isn't much of a spring fishery for steelies. they all DIE when they emigrate from the streams.

     
    I agree, but some do make it.

    Quality over quantity

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    #14
    carpitiss
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/14 18:55:10 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: swinger

    ORIGINAL: carpitiss

    there isn't much of a spring fishery for steelies. they all DIE when they emigrate from the streams.


    I agree, but some do make it.

     
    i was actually being sarcastic swinger. i think a lot more steelies make it than people realize or perhaps want you to believe....

    Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrppppppp!!!!
    #15
    swinger
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/14 18:57:09 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: carpitiss

    ORIGINAL: swinger

    ORIGINAL: carpitiss

    there isn't much of a spring fishery for steelies. they all DIE when they emigrate from the streams.


    I agree, but some do make it.


    i was actually being sarcastic swinger. i think a lot more steelies make it than people realize or perhaps want you to believe....

     
    I'm not.

    Quality over quantity

    I am reality

    I>U

    JC Rules!!!!!!!
    #16
    shank_Master
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/15 11:57:03 (permalink)
    My fishing parter  fishs  the tribs  until may for bass  and still  catches  steelies into may we chatted  about this thursday  on the drive up and  he  does rather well  .. myself  i am usely done  around this time of year for  steelies  but after thursday's  trip and the fresh fish  that were in the streams   I will still make a few more trips ...
    #17
    Storm Warning 2
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/17 14:48:39 (permalink)
    Yep.  Pete is an excellent source for info on spring fishing the bay.  Join EPSFA and get on the website, there will be posts galore soon.
     
    It is mostly a jack fishery, but there are some good sized drop backs in the mix as well.  Boards with J-9s, J-11s, and small spoons on 1 color cores are all good bets in the bay.  According to Pete, it used to be a LOT more fun when there were Coho around.  That made up a large portion of the take in the spring and some mighty fine eating as well.
     
     
    #18
    papfisihng
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    RE: Steelies in the spring 2008/03/20 23:22:32 (permalink)
    Boris, you are gonig to have the creeks crowded into May-- stiffle it!
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