sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

One photo of water conditions at Mohawk spillways.
One of what we considered a decent river walleye. Believe or not; caught on a spinner bait, something I would not expect.

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

Mark,
This may be a duplicate of a response I sent that I don't see in our thread.
So here goes for a 2nd time.
One photo of water conditions at Mohawk spillways.
One photo of what we considered a decent walleye. Believe or not caught on a spinner bait; which I would not expect.
Re: the spillway photo, I thought it looked like a pike; but checked the email my partner sent with the photo and it is actually a tiger musky. Told you once something like 'species, I can't name one not in here.'

mckelling Loc: Saratoga Springs, NY

The .pdf worked fine. Nice image. Now I will have to go back and read some of your earlier messages. I agree with you about sharing information. As long as the people aren't jerks, I always try to provide information, so that they will be successful. We did much the same thing when we were fishing Lake George. There is plenty of resource as long as people do not abuse the success.

Jeremy Loc: America

Is it New York? San Diego?

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

Mohawk River in the Albany, NY area.
We don't have any fresh water in SoCal.
Most frustrating.

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

Hello again Mark,

I marked up the Google Earth image with some recommended spillway hot spots. Hope it helps some
Remembering the Mohawk is not generally an early Spring water; but depending on your summer/fall weather conditions can be killer from the summer onward. Check out the feel of the walleye photo. That is summer on the Mohawk.
This is intended to give some feel for spillway fishing only.
The shorelines west of the twin bridges offer countless weed edge opportunities, not shown here.
At the spillway, just throw a jig (my choice) at the base of the falls or halfway up the wall. The fish are at or near the bottom of the wall.
My buddy caught his tiger musky on a jig with a twister tail. Surprised he didn't get bit off.
My first choice jig is a marabou, if you can find them. 2nd choice buck tail.

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

More until you stop me.
Jig fishing on the Mohawk; especially at the spillways.
3/8 oz. Nothing less.

mckelling Loc: Saratoga Springs, NY

I am blown away. This is way too cool. You could write a book. I cannot wait to explore these areas. You have been more than kind and incredibly forecoming. I will definitely let you know how I fare. The weather up here is going through the last throes of winter. It has been in the low 30's during the days and very windy. All the ice is out. I cannot wait to get my boat out of storage, but I have to schedule it based on their access to my boat. I will send you a picture of my boat. If you are ever in New York. Do not hesitate to let me know and we will go fishing.

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

Ah yes, the 30s.
I remember them, however pitifully wonderful, transitioning from the 20s, a very good thing.
Then the 40s were the next metric. Finally "warmth."
Laughing from Southern California.
Sounds like you're gonna need some patience yet.
To add a couple things to your Northeast fishing planning:
1. Watched a Jimmy Houston show this weekend. Smallmouth on the St. Regis River (you know I am a river guy), within striking distance of your previously described territory. Might be worth a Google search. I never heard of it; but it looked pretty good.
2. You speak of crossing into Canada on occasion. Please tell me you first launch on the St. Lawrence River (world class) before heading any further north. Thousand Island area. Any area.
3. Mohawk River - I failed to mark it on the drawing; but the Lock is the narrow entrance on the left (river south) side. Go up through it and you're on you're way to Schenectady. (Though you can be happy for years between 6 & 7).
I'm just guessing more to come from me. A cathartic experience.
I hope at some time, you can digest this stuff and give me some river photos this summer.
I never mentioned previously; but when you're away from spillways, fishing the weed edges, you're gonna want to throw the EWG weightless Senkos for the largemouth (and probably any other weedy species). Just remember there are toothy creatures in here. You may loose one or two on a worm. Get 'em in quickly and have a net handy.
Trust next time I'm in NYS, you will know ahead.

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

Very small point re: spillway fishing I failed to mention for your readiness...It's pretty noisy. That water is boiling. You do not know how much I miss it.

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

More spillway comments:
If you've not done it before; highly suggest a second person in the boat until you get comfortable with what's going on around you and how to control boat position with your electric trolling motor. We almost never anchored (maybe a few times when fishing the pool). Might suggest during your first spillway attack to keep the outboard running in neutral in the event you need to back out quickly. This ain't Lake George or any lake for that matter.
My buddy fishes both spillways solo all the time after a fair amount of experience.
One of my very favorite places.
Shoreline trolling for walleye (or whatever species chooses to swallow):
From the Northway Twin Bridges on up to Lock 7, you have miles of productive target zones. As you mentioned your boat is setup for trolling, troll away. Very effective on the river.

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

Check out this Fishing Stage link.
Some fisherman looking for Lake George recommendations.
He may be in your area as his location seems to show Lake George.
Hope the link works.
https://www.fishingstage.com/t-50888-1.html

mckelling Loc: Saratoga Springs, NY

I have "spot lock" for my trolling motor. I was thinking that I could initially sit off far enough to have some level of stability. I also have Mega 360 sonar, so I should have a good sense of how shallow/deep are the channels and shoreline. I do not really have anyone else experienced with my boat, but I am actively trying to develop some fishing partners. I was curious as to whether you anchored or used trolling motors to position yourself. You anticipated my question. I cannot imagine being very comfortable in a current, trying to maintain position and fish at the same time. I am particularly concerned about my bow being the leading edge of my boat, if I hook into the sizeable fish you seemed to enjoy catching. Having a trolling motor down and a transducer pole submerged present hazards. I may have to use heavy enough gear to horse a fish around the obstacles.

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

I'm impressed if you would approach the spillways solo on your initial trip. They are different from lakes.
That's what I'd do, too; though I likely have a little craze. Safety around spillways, if you get a little too close, they can create a backflow that can suck your boat closer to the falls. A bad thing.
The 2nd person is really just another set of eyes to see what you're not looking at and provide alerts.
Check my message to you re: a Lake George fisherman's message.
Could be the hook up you're looking for.

sawheeler52 Loc: Escondido, CA

The Mohawk is not a high-current river. Nothing like what I've experience on the Hudson downstream of Troy.
Should not present you any challenge.
Just a bit different at the spillways where you need to remain alert; but oh it is so worth it.
Stephen