New to Pittsburgh - Shore fishing around west side of town

Hey everyone,
 
I am reasonably new to Pittsburgh of about a year, but only been fishing here since this summer.  Since moving up here from Texas, I am seriously looking to catch a species that didnt exist down south with my primary targets being Pike, Musky, Walleye and Smallmouth Bass.  I live in moon and have friends in Beaver so sticking to the west side of town around Coraopolis on out to Beaver/New Brighton will be much more convenient so any suggestions in that area would be HUGE for me.
 
Ive heard a few tips about some spots I am looking to try out in a couple days which are:
1. Montour Creek (where it meets the Ohio) in Coraopolis
2. Big Sewickley Creek
3. Little Sewickley Creek - I check this out once but the water was so low it wasnt even worth casting a line.
4. Raccoon creek  - west of 376 off the ohio river
5. New Brighton Dam
6. Bridgeville dock
 
Anyone ever tried any of those places with any luck? If so, what are the odds of my target fish being around there this time of year? Since I havent caught any of those fish before, I would greatly appreciate any tips on bait (type) vs. lures and other locations I am looking at the picture all wrong.
 
Anyways - glad i stumbled across the site & looking forward to digging through some info on here!

plenty of good research to be done on this site. 
 
you can always try the park on the south side and/or the park on the north side/and or the point.  very easy to fish from the shore there. 

TheBlueLagoon

Do you have a boat or will you primarily be fishing from shore?

Since in the title of the thread he says "shore fishing around west side of town", I'm going to assume he has a boat.
 

I've seen my fair share of interesting characters at the mouth of montour thats for sure.

Porktown 

Back when gas was cheap, jobs were a' plenty, and women stood in line for a piece of this other white meat.  I'm think my move to the burbs has me thinking like a Conservative.

D-nymph

TheBlueLagoon

Do you have a boat or will you primarily be fishing from shore?

Since in the title of the thread he says "shore fishing around west side of town", I'm going to assume he has a boat.

lol, I guess I should of read more then just the messages in the thread

If you want to go on a quick trip, you could go across the sewickley bridge and there is a public boat dock and you can fish up and down the shore from there.

mpmayer - Every boat dock i have checked around the area says no fishing allowed.  Now I have tried the dock on the beaver side of the sewickley bridge that doesnt have a boat ramp, but didnt have any luck there.  Didnt stay too long but it just didnt seem to have much to entice fish around there.
 
Where can you park to get under the 79 bridge? It looks like there is another creek there that has potential, but doesnt seem to be any way to get there without walking through a company's work zone.

If you understand how to get there by looking at the map, follow the road down until you hit the train tracks, a company is there but it's off to your right, You will not invade their work zone. You cross the tracks and make a slight left that puts you directly under the bridge, you can park there at the top, or I suggest to drive down to the river at the base of the bridge.  (at least as far as you can).

im in crescent...fish alot locally..will show you around...just drop me a line

How does one get to the rail road side of the new Brighton dam? I have been there but only once and nobody that day was doing much good. On my list of places to try again for sure but it looks like the is hung from the other side of the river would be better because its tougher to get to.

Mayer - I didn't think fishing was allowed from boat docks which is why i didn't try that one but I guess I should give that a shot.

Tanner - will do man, appreciate the offer.

Yes - Musky and Pike are my #1 preference just because they are SO different than what was available to me in Texas. I caught a pike once as a little kid on vacation to see family in MN; it probably wasnt very big (couple ft maybe), but since they grow long it seemed like a monster to me (plus i was about 10 years old).  I've wanted to catch another ever since then.  I would like to go further north but it seems like I am always pinched for time and my fishing buddy is currently in Nursing school so he's always swamped with that crap, which is why I want to get some established locations more local where i dont need to make special plans to go.  I appreciate the info though, I would have opted for Arthur again.
 
Oh and I am fully aware of the leader.. already stocked up and ready with those!

There are definitely some musky & tiger musky in the rivers, but not in huge numbers.  I was a river rat for about 7-8 years, fishing 3-4 times per week, most of which was the rivers.  In that time, I hooked into one musky.  It was a very short fight, since I only had 6lb line.  It was about 4' off of the bank, and thought it was a log, as it rose to the suface slowly and straight.  As soon as it noticed danger, it splashed the surface and took off.  Well over 3' long and pretty thick.  I've had others spot some while out, but that's it.  There are guys that focus on them and catch them regularly.  Do a search on Musky & the Mon.  Not sure what some of the guys names are down through the Mon Valley that get into them pretty good.  I'm guessing similar techniques through the other rivers.

Snag_826

Been fishing the mon HARD all year for musky with only one boated and a few hookups. Got em pinned the last few trips but havent been back out since to get em. Get yourself a couple hammer lures and cover as much water on the mon as possible. Typical areas such as creek mouths and weed beds. Oh and dont forget to cross your fingers!

Hey Snag...was that you I seen chuckin' musky lures in the channel up Harmar on Sunday?? ....any luck?

Pictures of said ski?