Posted By: W4LLEYE
OH Ivie - 01/04/23 07:44 PM
Thank you.
OH Ivie
Posted By: J.H.S.
Re: OH Ivie - 01/04/23 07:51 PM
I can tell you it has been a major struggle as of late. I live 40 mins away and wouldn't waste the gas right now. You would be better suited to come in mid to late march through the end of June. Aside from that, make sure you do not venture outside of the channel from Turkey bend through Leaday and all the way up either rivers, or this trip will cost you way more than gas, lodging, and food. If you decide to come in 2 weeks don't come with super high expectations or you could experience an extremely major let-down. With that being said, you could also catch the fish of a lifetime as well.
Posted By: BAllen91
Re: OH Ivie - 01/04/23 08:31 PM
Let me start with saying, I've never fished OH Ivie. I have seen it's produced some amazing fish no doubt but figure those results are few and far between, especially for the number of boats on the lake. If you're set on coming to Texas, you could look at East Texas. Multiple lakes within a short distance to hit that produce high quality bass, I can help out with those lake.
We leave Texas and go to St. Clair in Michigan every year during the summer, amazing smallmouth fishing. It's even better now that they lifted the covid restrictions and you can fish the Canadian side of the lake too. It's nothing to have 30-50 fish a day, good ones too...I caught a six pounder this last trip. Just another idea to put in your head!
We leave Texas and go to St. Clair in Michigan every year during the summer, amazing smallmouth fishing. It's even better now that they lifted the covid restrictions and you can fish the Canadian side of the lake too. It's nothing to have 30-50 fish a day, good ones too...I caught a six pounder this last trip. Just another idea to put in your head!
Posted By: Jersey Dan
Re: OH Ivie - 01/04/23 08:45 PM
Do not drive 50 hrs round trip to fish this lake. Go book a trip to Baccarrac in Mexico this Spring. Baccarrac makes Ivie look like a Ghetto especially with all the white trash that surround the lake these days
Posted By: Finesse EMPEROR/ Dropshot King
Re: OH Ivie - 01/04/23 08:47 PM
Originally Posted by Jersey Dan
Do not drive 50 hrs round trip to fish this lake. Go book a trip to Baccarrac in Mexico this Spring. Baccarrac makes Ivie look like a Ghetto especially with all the white trash that surround the lake these days
+1
Posted By: tmd11111
Re: OH Ivie - 01/04/23 08:54 PM
[quote=Jersey Dan]Do not drive 50 hrs round trip to fish this lake. Go book a trip to Baccarrac in Mexico this Spring. Baccarrac makes Ivie look like a Ghetto especially with all the white trash that surround the lake these days [/quote]
I resemble that remark
I resemble that remark
Posted By: Basskicker907
Re: OH Ivie - 01/04/23 09:19 PM
Former Idaho guy here, I'd take a trip to Clearlake or Havasu in the cold months. Or that special lake you guys have up there for smallies. Not worth the trip down to Texas. Save your time and spend it on Cj, Walcott, or Owyhee. Plenty of better fishing up there than down here.
Posted By: Tiltman
Re: OH Ivie - 01/04/23 09:21 PM
Originally Posted by W4LLEYE
Long time lurker, first time poster here. Tons of information on this forum, thank you!
I'm a Midwest walleye angler who relocated to Idaho about 6 years ago for work. While the Pacific Northwest has the best trophy walleye water in the country, the fishery options are pretty limited and fishing the same water over and over gets tiresome. That has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and bass fish more often which I enjoy.
The past few years, I've towed over to Clearlake in California in Feb/March for a road trip fishing adventure. I love that lake and even a bass hack like myself can typically put a decent day together. That said, looking for a change in scenery this year. Fortunately and unfortunately, social media, YouTube, and published magazines have brought OH Ivie to my attention. I want to make a trip.
For clarity, I understand that big fish anywhere are far and few between and I really don't expect to catch one. Just the opportunity to fish on the same water where giants swim would be an incredible opportunity and privilege. And outside of a business trip to San Antonio years ago, I've never been to Texas.
I'm not the guy looking for information so I'll spare you that. I'm considering making the trip in two weeks or so (mid January). Is the timing good for this? It might be my only window with a busy work schedule coming up. Any advice here would be appreciated.
Lastly, I have a 2021 multi species (deep v) Yar-Craft built by Basscat. I'll be solo on this trip so I'd have an open seat if a non boater wanted to get out on the water with a midwest walleye guy. I've got all the electronic goodies and the boat can take a pounding in wind while being safe.
Thanks for the time and look forward to visiting the state of Texas.
I'm a Midwest walleye angler who relocated to Idaho about 6 years ago for work. While the Pacific Northwest has the best trophy walleye water in the country, the fishery options are pretty limited and fishing the same water over and over gets tiresome. That has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and bass fish more often which I enjoy.
The past few years, I've towed over to Clearlake in California in Feb/March for a road trip fishing adventure. I love that lake and even a bass hack like myself can typically put a decent day together. That said, looking for a change in scenery this year. Fortunately and unfortunately, social media, YouTube, and published magazines have brought OH Ivie to my attention. I want to make a trip.
For clarity, I understand that big fish anywhere are far and few between and I really don't expect to catch one. Just the opportunity to fish on the same water where giants swim would be an incredible opportunity and privilege. And outside of a business trip to San Antonio years ago, I've never been to Texas.
I'm not the guy looking for information so I'll spare you that. I'm considering making the trip in two weeks or so (mid January). Is the timing good for this? It might be my only window with a busy work schedule coming up. Any advice here would be appreciated.
Lastly, I have a 2021 multi species (deep v) Yar-Craft built by Basscat. I'll be solo on this trip so I'd have an open seat if a non boater wanted to get out on the water with a midwest walleye guy. I've got all the electronic goodies and the boat can take a pounding in wind while being safe.
Thanks for the time and look forward to visiting the state of Texas.
do you have livescope ? or FFS ? lastly have you been up to Dvorshack (sp) ? Smallies are insane there from what I have been told by some buddies ( I lived in Cataldo as a yood)
If so I would make the short drive there perfect your FFS skill and then consider that drive.
Ivie is tough , love being there and will be there in a few weeks but its 4 hours for me.
Posted By: W4LLEYE
Re: OH Ivie - 01/04/23 09:46 PM
Yes, yes, and yes. I spent most of my life in South Dakota where big smallmouth are common as well. What wasn't common was a largemouth over about 5 lbs. Between the Missouri River reservoirs and the eastern lakes, SD is full of big smallmouth. Maybe not 8-9 lb. Dwarshak fish, but big fish none the less.
Posted By: Tiltman
Re: OH Ivie - 01/05/23 01:07 AM
I have fished Oahe but want to go back to the north east part of the state and fish all of those gems.
I will get to flaming gorge and dwarshack in the next few years.
I will get to flaming gorge and dwarshack in the next few years.
Posted By: W4LLEYE
Re: OH Ivie - 01/05/23 01:16 AM
Oahe is an amazing fishery all around but that dang wind will absolutely blow. I've always fished a multi species hull on the Missouri River and know all too well how ugly it can get. When I watched the elites running around in bass boats well, consider me impressed. Those dudes are tough. That wind makes staying on fish tough more often then not.
You're right, certain lakes in the N/E part of the state can be downright magical if a guy puts the work in for sure.
You're right, certain lakes in the N/E part of the state can be downright magical if a guy puts the work in for sure.
Posted By: Douglas J
Re: OH Ivie - 01/05/23 01:24 AM
Head to East Texas in March-April and you can pick from so many lakes that all have DD potential and the fish will be biting everywhere.
I have caught so many 6+ pound bass in my life in East Texas on 20+ different lakes, I cannot even venture to count them.
I also hear West Texas has a lot of smaller lakes that hold big fish, I just do not head west much.
I have caught so many 6+ pound bass in my life in East Texas on 20+ different lakes, I cannot even venture to count them.
I also hear West Texas has a lot of smaller lakes that hold big fish, I just do not head west much.
Posted By: WAWI
Re: OH Ivie - 01/05/23 01:43 AM
Ivie has turned into all that's wrong with fishing.....
Posted By: Darin S.
Re: OH Ivie - 01/05/23 01:46 AM
You should consider going to Falcon imo.
Posted By: W4LLEYE
Re: OH Ivie - 01/05/23 02:22 AM
I’ve heard of Falcon. Still doing some reading up on Texas fishing and no plan yet.
Thank you all for the responses. My intention was not to rub salt in any wounds.
Safe travels.
Thank you all for the responses. My intention was not to rub salt in any wounds.
Safe travels.
Posted By: TxPanhandle
Re: OH Ivie - 01/05/23 12:34 PM
+1 Falcon hard to be beat, if she would get some water
Posted By: ETXfisher91
Re: OH Ivie - 01/05/23 02:15 PM
Take that $3,000 you are about to spend coming here and go to Mexico instead.
Posted By: sprigsss
Re: OH Ivie - 01/05/23 03:56 PM
If I were traveling long distance to fish Ivie, I would go from April - early June.
You should be able to catch decent numbers of 4-6 lb fish and still have as good of odds as anywhere at catching a DD.
That time of the year you can usually catch them on just about any technique you choose. Will be fish from the dirt to 20+ ft.
You could literally catch a DD on topwater or dragging a C-Rig in 25' of water.
I'd fish Ivie during the week and then hit a few other lakes in the area that are less pressured on the weekend.
You should be able to catch decent numbers of 4-6 lb fish and still have as good of odds as anywhere at catching a DD.
That time of the year you can usually catch them on just about any technique you choose. Will be fish from the dirt to 20+ ft.
You could literally catch a DD on topwater or dragging a C-Rig in 25' of water.
I'd fish Ivie during the week and then hit a few other lakes in the area that are less pressured on the weekend.
Posted By: Brian Spagnola
Re: OH Ivie - 01/06/23 03:36 PM
Come to Fork and catch as many 2.5 crappie as you can stand 
Posted By: 6BOOMER
Re: OH Ivie - 01/07/23 05:07 PM
Go to Falcon, Hire a guide. Learn the lake some. There are a couple good ones still there and won't break the bank. Then fish without a guide. Mid-Late January should be good as long as the cold fronts don't go blowing in too hard.