I mainly fish artificial. I've a relative that carves big plugs out of balsa so I don't mind losing them that much since he'll replenish my supply for the cost of materials only.
Here's the skinny. Right where the white water come out at the back channel where there's sort of a ramp leading to the water you can at times, when lucky, see big wipers swimming right up. This is the time to remove the front two trebles from your largest plugs and go to town. I barely even cast. I flip it out a few feet, being sure to keep the tension so that the current creates the action alone. This little process lasts only maybe 10-15 seconds before flipping your lure out again. This also prevents you from losing many plugs.
What always amazes me is the big ugly cats I'll catch on a 10 inch plug in water you'd think nothing could survive in.
My main source of success for monster wipers has always been down at Leetsdale right on the spillway. At certain times of the year you can see the largest of the large wipers swimming to the spillway alongside that flat wall that extends out about ten feet. You can flip out your monster plugs and let that natural current action takeover on your plug until it crosses over said wall. I've done this since I was sixteen years old, which makes that seventeen years of the same success. Beware, I'm not sure you're exactly allowed up on that wall so get up on top about 30 minutes before dusk and hit it hard for a bit. I've heard rumors of people getting fined but I never have. Once the sun sets the action stops but you can do the same technique with one ounce jigs and twisters for some beauty walleye action. Again, this perfect action only happens at certain times of the year down at Leetsdale and a few other white water spots so test it out for yourself because I'm keeping my Jacque Cousteau like research to myself.
The man is always killin' my favorite shore spots but those big wipers just cry for me to stick it back at him.
P.S. Forgot to add. Don't fall in or you'll be fish food for those big nasty cats.
post edited by Dam Fisherman - 2007/05/10 16:16:00