LL Salmon?

[Hookmanski]

Thinking of going out to one of the lakes that hold these guys, never caught one before. I read that they come up real shallow when the water gets cold. Anyone think its worth trying to throw some spoons and plugs from the bank?

[Chrisper4694]

Thinking of going out to one of the lakes that hold these guys, never caught one before. I read that they come up real shallow when the water gets cold. Anyone think its worth trying to throw some spoons and plugs from the bank?

i tried from my boat last saturday and couldn't buy a sniff...i'll be trying again though soon. I think it was just a tough day maybe with the full moon and inconsistent weather. I've caught them surface to 30' deep this time of the year through winter.

[FASTEDDIE29]

You’ll get em!!! Give it a shot!:D

[bulletbob]

I would- they will hit all winter if the water stays open...
Here's my favorite lures-,, 1/4 inch white marabou bucktail with a Mylar flash strip in it,,, Other colors work as well, but white is the best... I really like white with some mylar and a little Chartreuse as well, when I can find them.. Fish them pretty quick.. Even in cold water landlocks are fast, and you can never outrun one with a lure..

Rooster tail spinners are also very good.. I like the Rainbow color, or the white/chartreuse/orange color,, Get big ones- 1/2 oz and maybe even a few 1 oz ones as well. .. they cast a mile, and the salmon hit them hard...


Little Cleos or similar.. various colors.. They will hit them but the bucktails and spinners are better...
If you fly fish, you have a leg up on spin fishermen.. A good fly rod fisherman with streamers will always outfish a good spin fisherman on landlocks.. They REALLY like flashy streamers...

Oh yeah,, a herring under a bobber works very good as well!...
I would fish a lively live bait 5-6 feet under bobber while i was casting bucktails or spinners to increase my chances..bob

[AndyS]

Freshly stocked Merrill Creek Res. would probably be your best bet for shore-line access.

[NJSquatch]

Being land based you have limited options at Aflex and Tilcon. Not sure about WayWay from shore.

[Hookmanski]

Thanks boys, think I'm gonna give it a go at either Tilcon or Merrill. I have my kayak, but need a drysuit or something similar before i take that out in the winter.

If I don"t go for LLS I'll at least be going for trout. Thmyorke1 might be joining me as well!

No matter what, I'll post a report!

[bubbasdad]

Freshly stocked Merrill Creek Res. would probably be your best bet for shore-line access.
Any suggestions for up there Andy? Thinking of taking the bubbster, I'm outta commission for a bit after my shoulder surgery, but he's jonesing to get out..may head up Saturday AM if the weather isn't pure crap, but never been to Merrill...is there anywhere to get herring near there or on way from Edison?

[AndyS]

Can't get herring this time of year but you can load up on shiners at the Sporting Life on Rt 22 in Whitehouse then take 22 to 31 North to 57 West to get to Merrill Creek. MC has shore access by the launch area and the other side of the lake by the tower. This time of year I would just pick the side that gets you out of the wind. If you do go up there be sure to check out the visitors center also.

[bubbasdad]

awesome...thanks for advice, Andy...will report back if we make it out saturday :)

[Chrisper4694]

Thanks boys, think I'm gonna give it a go at either Tilcon or Merrill. I have my kayak, but need a drysuit or something similar before i take that out in the winter.

If I don"t go for LLS I'll at least be going for trout. Thmyorke1 might be joining me as well!

No matter what, I'll post a report!

you want my advice, go to tilcon, much smaller, much more salmon in there...pretty sure decent walk around access too with the brush all bare for the winter. It's my least favorite of the places to target them from a boat, but if i was stuck on the shore that's where i'd go.

[akoop]

you want my advice, go to tilcon, much smaller, much more salmon in there...pretty sure decent walk around access too with the brush all bare for the winter. It's my least favorite of the places to target them from a boat, but if i was stuck on the shore that's where i'd go.

Hey Chris, out of curiosity why is Tilcon your least favorite of the places to target them from a boat?

[RichS]

Agree with Tilcon. The volume of water at Merrill would swallow up those stockers, IMO. That being said, if you are happy to catch whatever might eat your shiner (perch, crappie, bass, trout, salmon), I'd try Merrill.

[Hookmanski]

Agree with Tilcon. The volume of water at Merrill would swallow up those stockers, IMO. That being said, if you are happy to catch whatever might eat your shiner (perch, crappie, bass, trout, salmon), I'd try Merrill.

Unfortunately I'm not sure if i'll have the time/means to get any shiners, i'll probably be throwing spoons, plugs, spinners, etc. I'm happy with whatever bites, so I hope something does bite!

[Chrisper4694]

Hey Chris, out of curiosity why is Tilcon your least favorite of the places to target them from a boat?

well besides it being a pain in the butt to get in, it's the only one of the three that we never catch salmon in haha

[Hookmanski]

well besides it being a pain in the butt to get in, it's the only one of the three that we never catch salmon in haha

I had the same experience. Tons of follows there, but no hookups. The bank is THICK, even in winter, with only a few accessible cut outs you can get to depending on if the lake is flooded or not...