Ohio River Springtime Fishing

Springtime Ohio River Sauger and Hybrid Striped Bass

Warming water temperatures and stable water levels have provided great angling opportunities for sauger and hybrid striped bass on the Ohio River. Both sportfish can be found in all pools of the Ohio River and are often the first sportfish to “come alive” in the spring. Some of the better areas to try for sauger or hybrid striped bass are below any of the locks and dams that are located in Ohio. There are nine such facilities along the Ohio border of the Ohio River. Many of the locks and dams provide good shore access for anglers without a boat. Racine, R.C. Byrd, and Greenup Locks and Dam have great shoreline access.

Sauger angling has been fast and furious at times throughout the early spring months. Lead-head jigs tipped with a twister tail are one of the more popular lures used for sauger. Use a jig just heavy enough to tick the rocky bottom, typically 1/8 – ¼ oz. Experiment with colors to see which produces the best results; chartreuse and white are used most often. A two or three-inch twister fits the bill. Some anglers tip the jig and twister combo with night crawler or a small minnow. Savvy anglers target current “breaks,” areas where swift turbulent water meets slower, slack water or fast current adjacent to large boulders or logs.

Hybrid striped bass are also being caught fairly regularly right now. Many anglers targeting “hybrids” use surf fishing gear; long/heavy action spinning rods that you would typically see at the beach. Anglers like to cast heavy spoons (1 oz.) or surface plugs and poppers. Minnow imitating crank baits and plastic swim baits work well also. Chrome or other colors that mimic gizzard shad or skipjacks are popular. Hybrid stripers will continue to move into the locks and dam tail waters throughout the spring.
(c) ODNR