[Squ1rr3l]

My friends, family, and I have been "paylakers" for quite some time now. We have been giving our money to our local paylakes almost every other weekend for 2 summers now. We also joined a rod and gun club with a pond. We are tired of the lakes and would like to move on to the rivers and lakes around our area. We live in the south Dayton suburbs. We are all within 3 miles of the West Carrollton dam.
I have a few questions that may sound kind of stupid but here goes.

1. Are there any specific things to look for on the GMR when fishing for catfish?\
2. Are there any certian baits that are illegal on the GMR I have read about cut baits but have heard that that is illegal.
3. We do have small children. Are there Life Jacket restrictions on the river bank?
4. Are there any places better than any others to take the children so they can fish or play?
5. We like to fish at night (so we don't have to take the children) How do you light up your area? Do you use lanterns? Can you have a fire?. WHat types of lighting should we invest in?
6. Are there any places that are safer than others at night? (Not scared just don't want to have to defend ourselves if it can be avoided).


Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I can see that the sentiment here about paylakes is not a good one. I have to agree. We only go because we do not know any better.

 

[stangcrazy85]

well as far as info i dont have any not from around there but glad to see your change of heart my friend good luck man

 

[ryang]

Like the stang I dont know anything about that area but if you dont mind being skunked or just fishing for the sport of fishing good luck. For me I have various reasons on why I dont go to paylakes one of them being I spent 19 bucks for my Ohio License, then I have to spend more money for gas to get where Im going and bait. I really dont feel like paying anymore money out to fish and relax.

 

[flathunter]

Not to throw a monky wrench in your plans, but you will find the GMR in your area as crowded as a paylake, way to may people fishing and not enough public access...I have friends in that area and if they want to fish a spot in the evening, they must arive at the area by at least 7am or all the spots are taken.

And as far as night fishing, use no lights at all, fish in total darkness you will catch more.

 

[s_man]

Chris you've asked all the right questions, I can answer some of them.
First though is the whole "pay lake" thing. For me personnaly I don't like them cause they take wild caught fish from OUR public waters by semi-legal or outright illegal means and then SELL you the right to fish for them. They basically put these large fish into pre dug, lifeless, muddy bathtubs to wither away and die in a few weeks. All the while, buying fresh fish to replace them on a regular basis from the poachers that limbline and trot line every square inch of river and lake they can. Its just plain wrong.
I know its easier to fish somewhere you can just drive up to and KNOW it has fish, but for me the pursuit is half the fun.You know, scouting areas, catching my own bait, trial and error on locating fish. Yes, its daunting at first to find fish on your own, but in a couple years you will have gained a wealth of info that you can go back to and use year after year. Plus you will have a greater sense of accomplishment knowing you did it with your own skills.

Now on to some of your questions, LOL sorry for the rant.

1.) Just read through the archives on here, read any posts on the GMR. All this basic info is generally good for any river or lake. You may just have to tweek it for a particular body or stretch of water. (part of the fun)

2.) In Ohio you can use as bait any legally caught fish any way you see fit. Fish such as bluegills, bass, walleye, crappie, musky etc: must be caught on rod and reel and meet size and length requirements according to the ODNR regs. After that you can use them how you wish IE: cut bait, live bait. Certain other fish like shad and carp you can catch with a cast net and use them too. Check the ODNR laws booklet or online.

3.) Life jackets are only needed if they are in a boat, canoe, pwc etc. If your kids are apt to jump into the river then you might make them wear one, LOL But its not required.

4.) Go out and scout the river one day. Drive on the closest road on both sides looking for parks, pull-offs, private campgrounds, things like that. Use your best judgement. Talk to other fishermen you meet on the riverbank ask if they know of any safe family friendly areas.

5.) One of my favorite topics, Most public fishing areas don't allow open fires. Start one and sooner or later law enforcement of some kind will come and tell you to put it out or give you a ticket or both. Get a flashlight and a head-lamp. Wally world sells a good head-lamp for around 12 bucks. Has red light for small tasks, and a bright white light for travel, fish fighting and the like. When bank fishing you have to keep the light off the water as much as possible if you want to catch the larger fish. If the area is normally dark, they will know the new lights from a fire or lantern are foriegn and will shy away. Noise is also a big no no. Be quiet as you can. good luck hope this helps.

 

[tbull]

Chris, congratulations on your first step toward recovery..lol

You would be suprised how many places there are to fish when you really have to find somewhere else that isnt full of tortured, and in most cases illegally poached catfish. Look to your local rivers, and lakes. I am not familiar with the Dayton area, but I am sure there are many places you can fish. Now are you going to have the same chance to go out and catch a big catfish as a pay pond? Probably not, but I guarantee you a 10 lb flathead caught out of its natural habitat will put up a better fight than a 30 lber out of a pay lake. The more and more you get into it, the more areas you will know about and be able to fish. And getting your family out in the wilderness will be alot more rewarding that sitting shouler to shoulder at a paylake, listining to some guys scream at each other for crossing their lines.

And dont let the thought of crowded river banks turn you away they arent as crowded as you may think, and I would rather see our local rivers and state parks crammed with fisherman, because thats just more money pay ponds arent getting.

 

[mr.seaark77]

tbull i could not have said it better myself.

 

[223reload]

Paylake or public waters,sounds like a no brainer to me.

 

[Squ1rr3l]

Thanks for all of the advice. I will probably have many more questions in the future. I hope you don't mind answering questions you may feel have obvious answers. I am really excited to fish the public waters this year for some reason. I will save the money I would have spent at the paylakes and get me some better gear. Right now I have what you guys would consider junk.


Hope to see some of you on the river bank this year.