Maumee river report – 13 March 2023

*click images to enlarge*

SUNRISE/ FIRST CAST-7:50 am

SUNSET/ LAST CAST-7:38 pm

WEIGHT: 5/8- 3/4 Oz

BLUEGRASS ISLAND:  Again the level is right at the just over the crossable mark. As of 6 AM crossing at Bluegrass is not permitted. That little bit of snow and rain mix a few days ago brought the level up a few inches yesterday. 

COLORS:

WEIGHTS: 5/8 – 3/4 

At least a 4 ft leader , longer seems to be working better this season.

Yesterday we saw limits by 9am again! The bite was ok  early and lasted til early afternoon when things slowed down a bit . With the water level steady for a few days we will continue to see waves of fresh walleye come out of the lake. Fishing and the weather is only going to get better. We saw fish caught at all access areas including a few at Orleans park. The hot spots were Buttonwood park, Jerome Rd Rapids and Ford street Access.

I often ask anglers how their day went and occasionally get the answer” I have been fishing the walleye run several years and have never caught a walleye” The first thing my crew and I ask is what type of rod they are using, and the most common answer in these situations of skunk  is either an cheap older medium heavy that been in the garage for 10 years or some sort of heavier rod . These types of rods do not have the sensitivity that helps feel the bottom and the light bite of these spawning river walleye. Often with a heavier rod the walleye will bite the bait and spit it out with the angler never feeling anything at all. I understand that budget is a concern when it comes to a past time like fishing, but for $35-$50 you can upgrade rods significantly . There is a difference between “cheap” and “inexpensive” .
We have some nice  introductory level priced Berkley AMP rods that will serve the purpose. Penn squadrons and Berkley Shocks are great go to rods as well. Rod quality makes a difference when it comes to catching these spawning walleye. 

 

Have fun, be safe , and good luck fishing