First outing

Well got my boat down to pymatuning on Monday and was able to fish for a little bit. The first outing was not a success, to my surprise nothing has started on the south end. Fish are still super deep on structure and there isn’t a weed, Lilly pad, or any form of green on the surface yet. Because of the new motor I took the run from Jamestown all the way up to bay41 and it was the exact same. If you want fish you have to launch on the northern side or fish the deepest structure you have marked on the south end. Surface temps were 48 on the main water and I found 52 surface temps in some of the coves. Hope this helps everyone and this warm weather gets here soon! Happy fishing!

Glad to hear you got out. I think we are all waiting on nicer-warmer weather. Mainly being a trout fishermen I am seeing early April fly hatches still trickling off in my area. This is strange to say the least. Even our foliage that has started to come out is very slowly to progress into full bloom. You advice will help many with there fishing in the future.

I was out Monday in the Linesville area. Total skunk. Not even one bite. 15 days before, I got a limit of slabs, 18 gills, and 11 perch in the same area. Water temp was higher then than it is now tho. Need some warm nights to help keep the water temps up. These 20’s just aren’t helping at all.

I got to fish Beaver Dam reservoir VA. in January. I caught 20 plus fish and most were nice size crappie in the upper creek area. The weather prior that week was in the 50s plus so the fish were there in numbers, however so were the fishermen. I had to travel back to Va. a week or so later and the weather turn back closer to winter and I could not get a bite and had the whole area to myself. This has held true on Lake Marburg in South central PA also in years past. There is no doubt that water temperatures dictates spring crappie and other fish movement.

Looking at the 10 day forecast for NW PA warm weather is still out of sight. Hardly any sun and night time lows in the 30's and 40's. I hate to repeat this but mild winters usually result in hardly any spring. Probably go from furnace one day to a/c the next. Anyways fellas stay safe and healthy.

Posted the new NWPA Report, and from reading it, a lot of people are not having much success right now.

I may wait until the first week of May but hoping the weather man increases the temps and I can sneak out For an evening fish. I have found myself checking the weather darn near every hour just hoping we get consistent 60’s. This snow can stop any day now!

Same way here in the SE. RAIN, cold, more rain. Above comments may be right that May might be the turning point this year.:twocents
Bob

Our southern brothers are speaking of water temps in the 60's. All I ask for is air temps in the 60's. Used to be an old folk lore thing about snowing 3 times on the peepers. This year the peepers got punished. Better days are coming so>>>> Stay Safe n' Stay Healthy

Never heard that before of the peepers and snow, but I heard them last night, around 9 PM. They also claim, that when the lilacs bloom, that the fish are biting, and or spawning. Just a wait and see game right now. We need to have some full sunny days, to get the temps up.

One of my dad’s coworkers and buddies went by the adage of blooms and specific fish bites. His daughter and hubby got some good Shenango training by Chaunc last century. Dandelions in fluff = crappie time. Lilacs in bloom = walleye time. Apple blossoms - time to gather morel mushrooms. I found the morels last week (greys). Yellows could pop with the next mild rain. Today yielded an exciting catch of a 22” rainbow trout at one of my local lakes. The trout should be happy with the likely chill for at least the next 12 days. I have not caught a crappie yet by accident or otherwise, nor have I seen a dandelion in fluff yet. Only those yellow ‘flowers’.

Well, lets hope Chaunc chimes in, with his views. Didn't know about dandelions in fluff, got plenty of them in my yard, and also have lilacs in mine and neighbors to watch, for info.

When I was a trout on the fly maniac I really got into some dandy fly hatches when and after apple blossom time. Mayflies and caddis hatches became much more predictable. Most times I took a vacation the first full week of May for trout and did very well.

There was something associated with the dogwoods in blossom and the peonies flowers in bloom as well, but I can’t recall what goes with what. I don’t think Chaunc had any input to Mr Irwin’s daughter and hubby on trees, flowers and fish. He just gave them a quality lesson on Shenango fishing—-always the good man that he is. Lessons on trees likely covered fishing blow downs. I bet after these recent wind events that some fresh blow downs are on the shoreline waters. I suspect some floaters are out there as well to be wary of once we get some better weather days.

We have all heard different ones, for sure. Thinking that the water in Shenango, won't go up much, until the week of the 10th, when it will be temps in the 60's, unless that changes. Hopefully they will then be in prespawn, and moving towards shore, at some point.

I typically get them on wood or pads starting at 58 degree surface temp. If I get 2 days in a row of sun and 60’s with that 58 degree temp it’s on! Most importantly those Lilly pads need to hit the surface. It’s obviously fishing, but that’s when I’ve been the most successful. Afternoons have always produced much better for me as well.

My experience is water temps. It takes warm nights to keep temps consistent. 60 during the day but dropping into the mid to low thirties doesn’t keep the crappies moving shallow. When we get 50* temps for three nights in a row, it’s crappie time. That’ll keep the water temps warming during the day and keep the fish in shallow warmer water overnight. This time of year, I look for at least 53* water temps during the day, out of windy areas. 4 to 8ft darker water is good. Don’t need wood or rocks but they help. The fish will be roaming that area enjoying that warmer water and feeding on any baitfish they encounter there. I fished this type area yesterday 4/25 and almost put a limit in my sink. Three shy. Just hang glided and dragging a jig and bobber in 6 to 8 ft. Water temp was 54. Guys were sitting close to shore and catching some but I got all of mine in open water.
Attachment 373449

chaunc where you at pymy or shenango ?

Chaunc, that is a nice mess of fish, good job, and thanks for sharing. Betting he was at Pymatuming.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by S10CHEVY

Chaunc, that is a nice mess of fish, good job, and thanks for sharing. Betting he was at Pymatuming.

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Keith, I hope you didn’t bet the farm cause you’re wrong. Shenango lake. Went back this morning but a different area. Same good results. Plus a bonus perch and couple gills too. The guys were getting setup to put the docks in when I was launching. Was nice not having to crawl or climb out of the boat today. Here’s another sink shot.
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At least I didn't bet any money, lol.

Went fishing on clarion river Sat and didn't do well. Caught a couple of nice perch. Had a ESE wind and the water was very cold. The warmest water we found was 47 degrees. When you grabbed those perch,they were down right cold to the touch. The weather has to start warming up and hopefully the fish will bite better.

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