Hoosier Division Heads for Ohio River
Typical river fishing in order for third stop of the season
After kicking off the season on Lake Monroe with a double-header at the end of June, the Hoosier Division of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine turns east for stop No. 3 on the Ohio River at Tanners Creek.
While the Ohio River isn’t known for producing monster bags, the fishing should still be quite good for the middle of July.
Tournament Details
Phoenix Bass Fishing League presented by T-H Marine Hoosier Division
Ohio River at Tanners Creek
Lawrenceburg, Ind.
How the fishery sets up
Originating in western Pennsylvania, the Ohio River flows over 980 miles west before dumping into the Mississippi River at the junction of Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky. Unlike the Mississippi, the Ohio River is more industrial with little aquatic vegetation to speak of. Because of that, hard cover is the dominate structure for bass – whether it be natural or manmade – like riprap, laydowns, rock and stumps.
The Tanners Creek section of the Ohio features numerous creeks and backwaters off the river that make prime hiding spots for the abundant largemouths. However, the main river also supports populations of spotted bass and smallmouths as well.
What to expect
Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit pro Kyle Weisenburger has spent a large portion of his BFL career on the Ohio River and says right now things are looking pretty good.
“We haven’t had a lot of rain and the weather has been pretty stable, so I think things are going to set up pretty well for this tournament,” says Weisenburger. “The river should fish a little bigger and guys will be able to spread out a little more and really pick how they want to fish.
“There’s a little bit of everything available in terms of catching them in the main river or backwaters and creeks,” he adds. “I think the main river will be a player because there’s a lot of spotted bass out there, though they aren’t big, but the goal on the river is to get five keepers and then get pickier about size.”
Historically, the laydowns, stumps and docks found off the main river provide some of the better largemouth habitat and provide the better chance at a bigger bag. Weisenburger says that shouldn’t be any different this time around.
“Hard structure is usually best, and I think there will be a lot of attention on the creeks and backwaters,” Weisenburger adds. “I would say 10 to 11 pounds should put a guy right in the mix for winning.”
Baits and techniques
With shallow wood and rock being the primary structure anglers will target, Weisenburger predicts the usual suspects will put fish in the boat.
“One of the biggest players on the river is usually a spinnerbait, and of course flipping soft plastics,” says Weisenburger. “It’s wood-oriented fishing and pretty visual, which is why you can’t beat flipping or a spinnerbait. But there will definitely be some topwater action – like a buzzbait – and a crankbait is also a good choice.”