North Branch Susquehanna River

[Esox Angler]

Esox Angler's 9/15/2009 Suskie report:

Tunkhannock City Access- Crankbaits in mid-day across from the city access in 0-8' of water. Shallow shad rap #5 & 7, glass fat rap #5. Mostly juveniles to 17" but some adults to 23". Beware work on river @ Proctor & Gamble!

White's Ferry / Falls Bridge Access - Along the Rock cliff upstream of the Falls Bridge. Jigs W/curlytail or gulp 3" minnows in the morning, Crankbaits in the evening. Shad Rap #7 (Casting/trolling evening) Husky Jerk #11 (Trolling in the dark). Adults to 6 pounds. 9-21' of water.

Appletree (Harding) Access - Downstream of access on the left past the rapids 12-18' of water. Jigs W/curlytail or gulp 3" minnows in the morning, Crankbaits in the evening. Shad Rap #7 (Casting/trolling evening) Husky Jerk #11 (Trolling in the dark).

Breslau (Hanover) Access - Hole under the Carey Ave. Bridge. Right at the drop off 18-28' of water. Jigs W/curlytail or gulp 3" minnows all morning and day until dark. Mostly juveniles to 16". Solomons Creek outflow 12-18' of water. Livebait rigs and Jigs W/curlytail or gulp 3" minnows Morning until about 1pm. Trolling Original rapala & Husky jerks in the evening for fish to 24". West Nanticoke Strictly evening & night Floating jigs w/med or large shiners. Fish to 4#.

Union (Hunlock Creek) Access - Shickshinny near Wastewater treatment facility in Mocanaqua Juveniles and Adults in 4 - 12' of water on crankbaits in daylight until dark. Shad rap #5 & 7. Under Moc bridge on Shick side jigs and livebait rigs producing fish to 3 1/2 #.

EA

[Shellback]

Nice report, good to see people reporting on PA eyes. I used to live outside Montrose, but I think I only fished the river once in PA. I always fished it in NY. Mostly between Vestal and Owego. I'm now living in southern PA and hope to get into some eyes down here once the weather cools.

[Esox Angler]

Good Morning All,

River Levels have dropped dangerously low. Outboards with prop drive need to exercise extreme caution when navigating the Suskie this week to avoid damage. Jets are still cruising along fairly well, but need to be cautious with gravel bars and large boulders now being exposed.

The hot bite of last week has slowed significantly.
River temps are reading in the 66-68 degree range.

Evening trolling (where possible) is the most successful method right now.
Minnow raps and Tail dancers are putting the most fish in the boat with shad style baits seeming to lose their appeal.

I pulled off the Susquehanna Slam last evening, with Muskie, Northern, Walleye, & Smallmouth all being caught.

Link to river levels can be found below. Good and Safe fishing to all!

~EA

PS-Take a girl fishing and you'll never have to explain why you spend so much time on the water!!!

http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/gla...ew=1,1,1,1,1,1 Suskie River Levels

http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/gla...,1,1,1&toggles= Delaware River

EA,

Nice report !

Can you give any more info on the musky bite there ?

TIA

[Esox Angler]

I do not know exactly what is going on, but Old Esox Masquinongy & his cousin Esox Lucius have been strapping on the feedbag as of late. Thursday, Amber hooked a Monster (EST. 20#). It leapt about 4.5 - 5.5' out of the water & shook the bait free. She was casting a jointed shad rap in about 14' of water. I hooked 3 last evening while trolling rapalas and only landed one. The two I lost were over 25# (est). The Pike are hitting both casted baits in 7' or less and on the troll in 9-15'.

Don't believe me? See attached photos.

[Esox Angler]

Just got home from another evening trip.

Water levels are R E A L L Y low.

Walleye to 19" on Storm Thunderstick, X-Raps, and Grappler shads in less than 9' of water; little guys in 12+'.

Old Esox was up to his old tricks, hitting a Tail Dancer in 14'.

Enjoy the pics.

~EA

Nice fish EA !!

[Esox Angler]

Finally.....
EA is returning to the water after a successful hunting season. My Partner Jay is in from service in the USMC and wants to smash some eyes tomorrow. Today, jigs were molded and powder coated, Tomorrow We will succeed, and pics will be posted. Hoo Rah!

EA

[Esox Angler]

Fishing was tough. Only boated catfish. They were all in the 5-11 pound range, but the walleye were not cooperative. Air Temps just touching 30 F and water at about 33 F really made it harsh. Icing on tips and guides reduced sensitivity dramatically, and surely cost us fish. Stormed last night into this morning dropping about 3.5 inches of white stuff. River is starting to show icebergs and eddies and backwaters are icing up fast. Best of luck to all!

EA

[Shellback]

Originally Posted by Esox Angler

Fishing was tough. Only boated catfish. They were all in the 5-11 pound range, but the walleye were not cooperative. Air Temps just touching 30 F and water at about 33 F really made it harsh. Icing on tips and guides reduced sensitivity dramatically, and surely cost us fish. Stormed last night into this morning dropping about 3.5 inches of white stuff. River is starting to show icebergs and eddies and backwaters are icing up fast. Best of luck to all!

EA

I imagine boat launching is going to get a little dicey from now on. If I remember correctly the 2 launches in Tunkhannock were pretty shallow launches. I think I had my front wheels in the water at the Fish Comm launch and still couldn't get the boat off.