Sucker Fishing

Any stream angler who has fished for trout or bass is well aware that suckers, too, are extremely fond of night crawlers. And although our initial thrill at hooking a scrappy little fighter is quickly replaced by disdain when we realize what it is we've caught, we have to admit that suckers do present us with some creditable action on light to medium gear. Pike and muskie fishermen for generations have sought out bait-sized suckers with simple spinning tackle dressed with a standard still-fishing rig. A small baited hook kept down on bottom with a couple of medium to large splitshot works perfectly, producing 12- to 15-inch fish with relative ease when dragged with exasperating slowness across gravelly or sandy bars. The technique is especially effective in riffles or clear, flowing pools where suckers can watch the bait approach with an almost natural action.

Tiny spinners will work under these conditions, too. Tossed upstream and allowed to tumble with the current through clear-water riffles, they signal the strike as soon as they settle into the quiet pools below the faster water. Fly fishermen can entice the same response with wet flies and streamers dragged tantalizingly across the current.

Suckers are the most likely coarse fish to travel in schools, especially during their springtime spawn. Once you've caught one, you can settle down to hours of delightful angling.

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