Can anyone help a couple guys out regarding Sauger?

[north_alabama]

I'm living in Alabama but am a transplanted Illinoisian who likes walleye fishing. My buddy, also a walleye fan, is transplanted from North Dakota. We each get one annual walleye fishing trip "up north" with our respective fathers, but that's it.

My friend is finally about finished with extensive refurb on his boat, and we want to get out and do some fishing. We don't have much in the way of options for walleye, but we live near several resevoirs on the Tennessee River, which do have respectable populations of sauger. People here occasionally fish for them in the winter when they bunch up near the dams (though they'll tell you they are catching jackperch). I've yet to find someone who fishes for them in the summer (it is more or less summer here now).

So my question is, could anyone provide a few pointers on where we might start our search, and what types of things sauger can be caught on in the summer?

Thanks!

[Hawker]

While I can't say that I really target Sauger here in Oklahoma, I do catch a few on occasion fishing the Arkansas River. Typically I catch them using much the same techniques that I use for fishing river Walleye. Minnow style cranks, rattle traps and bouncing jigs/grubs along the shallows in low light conditions and after dark. I know this isn't much help really, it's just that I've caught them while using the same stuff etc I use for Walleye and Saugeye. Hope you get on to a great pattern and really catch a bunch.
Hawker

[Chuckles]

I would tell you to find the nearest deep hole to the dam and find where it comes up to 15 or 20 feet and start fishing - a flat in the area would be ideal. Up here some of the fish always stay near those areas the guys catch them in all summer long. Think of the sauger as a deeper water version of walleyes - any technique youuse for one should catch the other to some degree. Give that a shot - I like to verticle jig for them but try what you already know how to do - you might have to go to a bit larger jig or weight to accomplish your goal - but try it you'll like it! Chuckles

[miller37]

I best advice I can tell you is where ever you find walleyes you will find sauger as well. the bait is the same as well, they are closely related to eachother. good luck

[risor39]

I just don't know why some people think that a sauger is any different than a walleye.Just a different size and color.i think they are more willing to take a bait than a walleye.And they fight a little more.There are a few differences but they are small i.e.spawning temp,preffered depth etc.As was said before look a little deeper and you should find some.As amazing as it might seem they taste just like a walleye.LOL And fronts don't seem to affect sauger or sand pike as we call them as much.Good luck.Was'nt there an article just recently on the front page by John Kolinski titled No Respect? Nope the title is With All Due Respect.

[jiggingrick]

I live in North Dakota and we catch alot of sauger at Lake Sakakawea.I really like fishing for them in the spring they usualy get active before the walleyes do. You fish them the same as walleye except they tend to be a little deeper and on the dropoffs.Good Luck! jiggingrick