Ohio River Region Fishing Report – September 28th, 2012

Clermont County

Smallmouth bass fishing will begin to pick up as temperatures decrease and water levels increase. Anglers interested in smallmouths have done well casting into areas of current, especially rocky areas using a variety of artificial baits or minnows.  Anglers have been catching 12- to 15-inch channel catfish by tight-lining off the shore using a hook and sinker baited with cut bait or nightcrawlers. 

Racine Dam Tailwaters

Hybrid striped bass and white bass have been biting well and are providing some excellent opportunities for anglers. Try spoons and live skipjack fished throughout the area.  Anglers have reported catching catfish on skipjack in other areas of the river, so don’t be surprised if you catch one here. Small skipjacks in the 4- to 9-inch range have been hitting fairly consistently on small, multiple hook rigs. Remember, if you have an Ohio fishing license, then you can have no more than three hooks per line, so you may have to modify your rig to be in compliance.

Brown County

Flathead catfish have been hitting cut baits, chicken livers and nightcrawlers fished on the bottom. For smallmouth bass, try tube baits or crankbaits. Hybrid striped bass have been caught using a jig and twister tipped with a minnow.

Belleville Pool Area

Fishing pressure has slowed, but bass anglers continue to bring in large numbers of catches, although the fish are smaller overall. Hot baits to try this week include white umbrella rigs (for more information about the use of umbrella rigs in Ohio, go to www.wildohio.com), white or chartreuse jigs.