How to catch Skip Jack's below Dam's on big Rivers; how to preserve Herring

How to catch Skip Jacks below the dams on the Ohio River or other big rivers in the united states really determines the time of year, it is springtime on the river so the skip jack herring are spawning and making there run up stream where they are trapped below the dam and can make for an easy day of fishing, these fish school up in the thousands, and typically hit a variety of baits that resemble small insects and bait fish such as minnows and gizzard shad or threadfin shad, Sabiki riggs, curly tail grubs, foley spoons and other small jigs and blade baits work great for the skip jack.
(Music) Denver Avenue - Reed Mathis, You Tube audio library

[@lbl9045]

Great tip on the bag popping. Ive had skipjack that i froze perfectly but couldnt figure out why they were mushy when i was ready to use them

[@RiverBloodfishing]

Yea it seems to help a bit but nothing beats a fresh skip jack

[@lbl9045]

@@RiverBloodfishing that's the truth

[@cozziwysong3905]

foley spoon and white/chrome rooster tail works grate

[@bucknibler]

You gave some good tips , thanks

[@Buckshottt]

Skipjacks my favorite bait for sure love the videos man

[@RiverBloodfishing]

Thanks buddy, one of my favorite baits too especially this time of year

[@brantfdavis10]

I live right on river in New Haven, WV. I'm the second house down from the Mountaineer power plant and we catfish out back all the time but I've been setting my minnow traps and hardly catch anything so I've been wondering where I can go to catch some shad or skipjack to catfish with. Them barges always park right out behind my house in waiting to pull into the dock at Mountaineer power plant and they dig big holes behind my house. The catfish will nest in these holes and I need to catch some bait fish some just looking for some pointers.

[@RiverBloodfishing]

If I was you I would get a cast net and go to the nearest tributaries and creeks off the Ohio river and try and catch shad and carp or bluegill for bait, there are a couple of creeks near you above the dam, clay lick run tomblesome run and mill creek seem close by new haven

[@haroldncillabryant6448]

Where you at lock and dam what state

[@reelguysfishing]

How far down the Ohio is this from the PA border? I know with all the locks and dams in place it makes their migration a little difficult. I do a bit of fishing up here on the Ohio and while I'm told there are a few around, I haven't seen any. Similar to fishing for hickory shad in NC rivers in the spring. Loved that when I was down there.

[@reelguysfishing]

Never mind... I see from the comments you are a ways down from me. LOL - Little chance any of those make it to me. Shame...

[@shawnt9256]

Great info.. I live in Elmwood,and fish the Ohio alot...

[@jimmieepperson6131]

Where is this Dam located? What’s the name of this Dam?

[@RiverBloodfishing]

Markland

[@jimmieepperson6131]

I wish I was there. I love catching skip jacks for bait. Do they let you throw a castnet for Shad?

[@RiverBloodfishing]

@@jimmieepperson6131 not directly below the dam but it’s really snaggy you may lose a net

[@toddkrump4520]

Like your editing and also your not a Fat ole’ Hillbilly LoL Thanks I’m liking your vids 👍🏼

[@RiverBloodfishing]

Thank you, trying to get out to make more videos but work all the time

[@michaelberry1938]

Seems like I never see any boats near the dam. Are you allowed to take a boat up close to the dam?

[@RiverBloodfishing]

I get up in the locks all the time when the water is calm, your not supposed to but they are not that strict at this dam

[@mikefoster9140]

Hello Jamie, love your channel. Moved to IN recently from IL and was curious where you launch that's within easy striking distance to Markland, preferably on the IN side? I have a 17' Polar Kraft 50HP so no special needs. Anyone welcome to respond, thanks.

[@RiverBloodfishing]

There is an rv park a mile down from the dam on Indiana side where you can launch from the bank but it is rough and have to put 5 dollars in the box or you can launch at Craig’s creek on the ky side but then you have to lock through the dam, also vevey boat ramp on Indiana side but it’s a long boat ride to the dam

[@RiverBloodfishing]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmLFqZmVja57otU

[@cincybengalsnation]

@@RiverBloodfishing plus the boat ramp at vevay is a pain in the ass most of the time have to launch at an angle where the gravel begins where they put the dock at so its a little bit deeper

[@donaldplatfoot1203]

What Dam is that? If I fish on that side, do I need a Kentucky fishing license?

[@RiverBloodfishing]

Markland Ky or Indiana license will work just have to have it present if checked because Indiana can’t look up Ky license

[@donaldplatfoot1203]

@@RiverBloodfishing I wish there was a tri-state fishing line license that covered Ohio Indiana and Kentucky. That would work great around here.

[@robertbrewer4339]

When do skipjack start running in the Ohio river

[@RiverBloodfishing]

It is at its peak end of April and through the middle of may depending on water conditions and temp, I’ve caught the them in creeks as early as March

[@robertbrewer4339]

That is at Maryland dam right

[@jamespeoples7566]

Just last week beginning of June I fished for skipjack below a dam in a boat for about 8 hours casting every skipjack lure made moving fishing current, seams rocks, against walls, calmer water, even tried trolling couldn't catch a skipjack but did see alot of gar schooled up and feeding what am I doing wrong with catching them skipjack any information would be greatly appreciated

[@tyingknotsstaringatsticksn911]

Catfish 🍬🍫🍭

[@RiverBloodfishing]

I should of had my big cooler down there,you have to put these in the brine immediately to have the best frozen bait, but I think they should be ok I had them in the little blue cooler with little ice for maybe hour and a half before I put them in the big cooler