Catching suckers

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H20Wolf
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2013/10/22 11:07:19 (permalink)

Catching suckers

Can anyone give me some pointers on sucker fishing.  I have a boat and know where they are on the river.  I always see them in a few spots that are shallow with a bit of current.  We tried chumming with corn but it didn't work.  Any advice appreciated on tactics or bait... Thanks!
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    FishinGuy
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    Re: Catching suckers 2013/10/22 11:50:05 (permalink)
    The only one I've caught local I put a red worm literally right on its nose. It sucked it up and didn't move an inch. Thankfully I could see it in clear water and set the hook immediately. I've always wanted to be able to catch them consistently around here myself. Its proved difficult so far.
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    luvinbluegills
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    Re: Catching suckers 2013/10/22 13:44:05 (permalink)
    I second the red worm as a top bait for Suckers. They can at times be every bit as wary as carp, but you can catch them consistently by getting your offering right in front of them without spooking them. They'll even take a subsurface fly properly presented.
     
    Here's an article I read in the magazine years ago that offers some useful tips on catching and eating suckers. It's what first got me interested in targeting them ~ http://www.in-fisherman.c...is-sweet-sucker-thing/

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    #3
    Cold
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    Re: Catching suckers 2013/10/22 14:59:18 (permalink)
    I've picked up a few on egg patterns.  In the same low, clear, fast water as has been described.  Very close attention while sight fishing.
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    H20Wolf
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    Re: Catching suckers 2013/10/23 08:52:45 (permalink)
    Thanks guys... It sounds like precision casting with red worms will be the name of the game for me since I don't have a fly rod.
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    FishinGuy
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    Re: Catching suckers 2013/10/23 09:24:39 (permalink)
    The one I caught was late spring end of may maybe? Right before flat heads get active. Don't know if that makes a difference in their activity level or not.
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    registered
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    Re: Catching suckers 2013/10/24 11:36:36 (permalink)
    I've seen suckers in the Yough river but never caught one there. When I fish Erie in the spring the creeks are loaded with them and they're easy to catch. Not sure if they're the same strain as local?
    have fun
     
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    tippecanoe
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    Re: Catching suckers 2013/10/25 01:42:43 (permalink)
    used to purposely fish for them when i was a kid with the old man.  we used worms in deep holes in creeks.  it was not rocket surgery.  river fish may be totally different though.
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    bcain
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    Re: Catching suckers 2013/10/26 01:02:43 (permalink)
    The seem to be harder to catch when they are in streams. Not sure if it has anything to do with them seeing you.
     
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    wirenut45
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    Re: Catching suckers 2013/10/26 09:13:27 (permalink)
    find a creek where they make a spawn run, early spring, mar, apr is best . use red worms on bottom. for eating, you want white suckers, not hickory, or redhorse. scale, gut, chop head ,n, tail off ,stack in jars, 1 tablespoon vinegar, i ts. salt, cook in either hot water bath or pressure cooker. vinegar softens bones like can salmon. makes delicious fish cake or patties. meat is sweet, white ,n, very tasty.
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    Re: Catching suckers 2013/10/26 11:19:45 (permalink)
    wirenut45
    find a creek where they make a spawn run, early spring, mar, apr is best . use red worms on bottom. for eating, you want white suckers, not hickory, or redhorse. scale, gut, chop head ,n, tail off ,stack in jars, 1 tablespoon vinegar, i ts. salt, cook in either hot water bath or pressure cooker. vinegar softens bones like can salmon. makes delicious fish cake or patties. meat is sweet, white ,n, very tasty.




    The Erie stream suckers were probably RedHorse as they had an orange color.
    #11
    tippecanoe
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    Re: Catching suckers 2013/10/29 00:24:43 (permalink)
    erie has some hogs that run up in the spring!  most of the suckers we caught were in the 10-14 inch range back in the day.
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