Gentlemen, I'm a hard-core angler from Maryland. I fish out of Ocean City, MD & Lewes, DE. I'll be heading out to Oscoda, MI for 5 days for my friends wedding. I'll be staying at a resort on the water. I plan on doing some fishing from the shore... already bought a license. I don't think I'm going to have time to charter a boat. Not too happy about that. Anyway, I was hoping one of you guys could help me out.
I've never been up to your neck of the woods. Can i fish from the beach? If so, what kind of gear should i bring? Should I bring surf rods (12') for cut bait, or will throwing lures with a 7'er be the way to go? As far as tackle, what i use here are rattle traps, stretch's, yozuri's, bucktails, lots of plastics and lots of metal (hopkins, stingsilvers, krokodile's, crippled herrings). Will any of this stuff work? Anything you recommend. I'll definately be bringing the fly rod. Its a #8. Any flies you can recommend. I dont even know what species i'll be targeting.
Dont mean to crash your board... but I wont have any time to do any scouting, and I'd like to get some pullage while I'm there.
Thanks, Tim
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Welcome aboard Tim. You didn't say which dates but I can help a little. You probably know the AuSable is world class trout waters.
Back when I was boatless, I used to pier fish from the N. and S. piers at the mouth of the AuSable every year. Its been many years since I've been there though. Last I heard, the N. pier was no longer accessable, though it may be again now. Late August & September were prime time back in the day. We would cast Little Cleos (2/5 oz mostly), Acme KastMasters, and Krocodiles in the 1/2-3/4 oz range. Green/Silver, Blue/Silver, and glows worked well. My preference was a nice 9' graphite spinning rod with a good quality reel (need a good drag) spooled up with 10# test (200 yds) and Sampo swivels to attach spoons. Best fishing was usually in the dark. The river would also give up BIG walleye back then. It was usually shoulder to shoulder when the fishing was at its peak. The fish also stack up just below Foote Dam, but there were a lot of snaggers there, not sure what the deal is there anymore. Foote Dam Pond offers small boat anglers great smallmouth, walleye, crappie, & pike. I've caught master angler crappie from that water, see my gallery for pics.
From what I've heard lately, the river is even a better walleye fishery now but sadly the Chinook population is way down. Someone who is local will chime in soon with more up to date info for you.
Man, I miss Desi's Taco Lounge. Mmmmm. Might have to take a road trip.
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Well if your fishing from shore there are some access points on the river. (Asuable river). IF and that is a big IF there are any salmon around (there are a few just not very many. i know people who have picked a few up at the mouth of the river.) anyways the south pier has public access, the north pier is better fishing but a pain to get out on, you'll see what i mean if you attempt it. Just depends on how adventerous you are. I personally fish the north pier when i fish up there. but for salmon youd want to get out there early. atleast an hour before it gets light. Glow in the dark cleos & KO wobblers work well. Barimundis(not sure the spelling on them) also work well. if you fish the evening or at night there are walleye and probably catfish to be had. casting or bottom fishing works. if you are casting for them, countdown rapalas or 1/8th once jigheads and twister tails get the nod. if you are bottom fishing leetches tend to out produce crawlers on the avg night for walleye. the catfish like the crawlers better. most people use a perch rig with a 1/2oz-3/4 oz sinker depending on the current. with 1 hook having a crawler and the other a leetch. you can get the walleyes in the morning and during the day also by using a slip bobber with a crawler setting the crawler just off/on the bottom and letting it drift. (you'll have to cast out and walk and follow the bobber as it drifts down current. you should see others doing this and catch on fairly quick. you could also try the foote dam and see whats goining on up there. Some good smallie action there near the mouth also. Good luck
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PS i know 1 of the charter captains there personally. if you want his number let me know and i can get it for you and you can work something out with him if you wish, hes usually pretty flexible. there are also a few places you can rent boats (aluminum boats for the river or foote pond. also on van etten lake which is near there and yields good bass walleye and panfish.
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Desi's is gone, it burnt down. Good places to eat are the newly redone asuable Inn right over the bridge on the left hand side. Drive up to Green bush (about 12 miles or so from oscoda) and theres a great place there, "Green Bush Tavern". there are a couple more places in town that pretty decent.
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Ljambeck wrote: Desi's is gone, it burnt down. Good places to eat are the newly redone asuable Inn right over the bridge on the left hand side. Drive up to Green bush (about 12 miles or so from oscoda) and theres a great place there, "Green Bush Tavern". there are a couple more places in town that pretty decent.
Wrong way Lance the Green Bush Tavern burnt down not Desi's............. We were just at Desi's last weekend,and got there mexican platter and there beer is always cold!
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Thanks for the tips. Apparently I'll have to check out this Desi's place. Some of the lures you mentioned are unfamiliar to me... guess that means I'm gonna have to stop at the cabela's store in Pennsylvania on my drive up! Again, thanks for the help. Tim
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Here a pic of what is still in my "pier box". From the top left, first column: 3 Canadian Wigglers (2 jointed), 6 Krokodile spoons, 3 Acme KastMasters. Second column: big Mepps spinner, 5x Little Cleo 3/4 oz, a pair of Sweedish Pimples. The last two columns are a bunch of 2/5 oz Little Cleos.
The heavier stuff helps get distance when you have to cast into a stiff wind. The lighter stuff can be retrieved slower and still have good action.
Glad to hear Desi's is still there.
Good luck fishing and have fun at the wedding. Post up a report (on the fishing anyway) when you get back to a computer.
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Wow... I guess spoons are the hot item up there! Thanks so much for the pic, its very helpful. I'll bring all my metal. Maybe I'll get lucky and discover that a Crippled Herring catches big trout all day long.
One other question, can i fish directly off the beach in front of the resort? I'm staying at a place called Sid's. I'm assuming that it is shallow flats. Though maybe throwing some flys around might pay off.
Again, thanks to all of you for your help. I'll post some pix when i get back.
Tim
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you can try, but i don't think you will have to much success. maybe at night or near dark you might find a stray walleye. but i would concentrate efforts towards the mouth of the river. good luck
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.... We were just at Desi's last weekend,and got there mexican platter
