Lower Susquehanna

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

We were out on Saturday evening for a couple of hours and most all day yesterday. Had a lot of fun but we don't know much about the river yet.

We're also thinking about getting a Tube sometime this summer to pull. Anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for brands/types?

I have this one

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...or_Double_Down_Towable&aID=600G3&merchID=4006

I recomend getting one for 2 people with 2 seperate holes (seats)..the one rated for 2 people that have one hole are unstable to me and you basicly are on top of the other person. I stay away from the flat ones also unless you like to lay down all day. I prefer sitting. But then again the tube type might be ok for you since you have a toon but I tow 25-30 mph and the tube type flips within 2 minutes. the one I have,, I have never been able to flip yet and is very stable....the only bad thing its a little big.
Denny

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Hey Gang,
I just recently joined both the forum and boating world. We just got a new 20' Sweetwater pontoon boat with a 90HP Yamaha. We are keeping it down at Long Level Marina and have had it out 3 or 4 times so far. Any info you can share about Lake Clarke for boating and fishing will be appreciated.

Looking forward to gettin to know everyone.

Steve

You have been out a bunch of times already so you should have a good idea whats going on but i will try to give a better over view....your marina has a map of the lake so this will help you out with location of the is lands.

you basicly have 8 miles of running room from the safe harbor dam to the 2 is lands in the middle of the river to the north. You average 12-16' of water.

You will see red markers on part of the east shore and green markers on part of the west shore, use caution if you go pass these because the water gets shallow quick... Most of the obstructions in the lake are marked by the coastguard aux and there is a few that are not so always use caution.

The islands you see to the north are about as far as you can go north, its gets extremly rocky passed the islands.

Fun places:
Between shad and rookery islands there is a sandbar where alot of people hand out on the weekends, Its has a sandy bottom and is real nice, Just be careful because it goes from 8'-2' instantly,,just watch where the other boat are and youll be fine.

2 miles south of lock 2 (public ramps) on the east shore there is a waterfall that goes over the train tracks...this has a rock bottom and is deep you wil be able to beach your toon there...real nice quiet place..(smells like fish though)....
as far as fishing catfish is the main menu there just about everywhere you go you should catch fish..

other than that its cut and dry just watch the weather and stay close to port on windy days, it does get rough..

The islands are fun to take a walk on and there are a few trails, you will see eagles deer etc. I would not let children go alone on the islands... there is other people that go there too so just to be safe go with your kids....the islands are a great place to grow POT so you get that crowd there too, I never had an issue though.

If you dont want to be bugged by the boating commision stay away from lock 2 they like to hang out there....its seems this year they like to pick on the jet skis ..last year they picked on me, they dont like my registration number design.....you will see the coast guard alot on the weekends but I never see them bother anybody, maybe an inspection or 2 thats it...
Denny

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

WOW!!!!
Interesting afternoon on the susky.
No sooner got out and it started to rain. Anchored and road it out.
Made a couple runs, dropped 3 off and picked up the rest of the family.
Started to rain again but with lightning and thunder.
Finally got the boat back on the trailer and one heck of a storm hit!
I am beginning to think that I am not suppose to own a boat.

that was a bad storm...glad I wasnt there......was there alot of boats on the river when it hit?
Denny

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Denny - Very well written and informative write up.

That's what iboats is all about - sharing and helping wherever we can.

My hat goes off to you sir!

 

[Capt_Caveman]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

You have been out a bunch of times already so you should have a good idea whats going on but i will try to give a better over view....
Denny

Thanks for the info Denny, I really appreciate it. I never did much fishing for catfish or anything else that I had to sit and wait on. ( I usually get bored with live bait) Mostly I use artificial lures and fish for bass. Do you know of any good areas (out of the rocks ) to try for bass?

Steve

 

[Capt_Caveman]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

I have this one

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...or_Double_Down_Towable&aID=600G3&merchID=4006

Thanks Denny and EZ for the tube links. We'll have to kick this one around a bit till we make up our mind. For now, it's basically adults that will ride. The grand kids are too young yet. As far as speed, I should be able to run in the mid 20's I think. I've had it in the mid to upper 20's with 3-4 adults on board.

Steve

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Still mostly catfish but I have caught bass along the western shore just down river from the Lock 2 ramps.

And the bass and catfish I've caught have all been caught on crankbaits. A bass fisherman friend I took along one time was blown away that the cats were coming up to hit the lures.

 

[john3931]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

that was a bad storm...glad I wasnt there......was there alot of boats on the river when it hit?
Denny

There were a lot when the first storm hit. Most of us got out in between the storms. I pity anyone that was still out when the second one hit.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Still mostly catfish but I have caught bass along the western shore just down river from the Lock 2 ramps.

And the bass and catfish I've caught have all been caught on crankbaits. A bass fisherman friend I took along one time was blown away that the cats were coming up to hit the lures.

Yep cats hitting everything...have yet to catch a bass there...i have seen them in the shallows but the cat hit before they do...
Denny

 

[john3931]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

John if you're free some evening this week or next give me a shout and I'll happily join you.

Will definitely keep that in mind. Don't know when I will have a chance but want to get in as much time as possible to make sure everything is working well before vacation. I would hate to have Scott tow me everywhere.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Thanks Denny and EZ for the tube links. We'll have to kick this one around a bit till we make up our mind. For now, it's basically adults that will ride. The grand kids are too young yet. As far as speed, I should be able to run in the mid 20's I think. I've had it in the mid to upper 20's with 3-4 adults on board.

Steve

No matter what i think getting a tube is a decesion you will not regret....even if you start out with a cheapo from k mart....lots of fun no matter the age or speed you go and it gives you something to lay on when your anchored....i would not go boating without mine..:gotta take the porta pot also. Thats the best ivestment i ever made..
Denny

 

[skargo]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Will definitely keep that in mind. Don't know when I will have a chance but want to get in as much time as possible to make sure everything is working well before vacation. I would hate to have Scott tow me everywhere.

Tempting fate are ya?

 

[Capt_Caveman]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Took the boat out for a while after work yesterday. It was an absolutely perfect evening with calm water and mild breeze. We saw only 2 other boats on the lake all evening and they were nowhere near us. Just like having your own private lake.

Broke the ice with fishing too. Took some crawlers out with us and my son-in-law caught a couple small cats. (15-18 in) Nothing to brag about but it made him happy. I think they were the biggest fish he's ever caught.

 

[john3931]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Went down to Long Level late Sunday morning. Not many people around and took the time to teach my son to take boat off the trailer, dock it and drive back onto trailer.
He wants to use the boat the week after he graduates from high school. We need to find out where we can keep the boat so he has access to it at Long Level. Going to check with the marinas to see how much it would cost for a week.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

I'm planning on heading out Friday evening at Clarke. Anyone else going to be around?

 

[john3931]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

I'm planning on heading out Friday evening at Clarke. Anyone else going to be around?

I just may do that.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Sounds tempting, not sure what our plans for the evening are yet. Might just make our way out there.

 

[Capt_Caveman]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Ok Ok I'm convinced but still amazed. We went out for a couple of hours tonight and I had a 15 in catfish hit on a crankbait. Still no bass yet but cats are better than nothing.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Going out at Lake Clarke tomorrow around 4. Anyone else going to be heading out tomorrow evening?

 

[john3931]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Going out at Lake Clarke tomorrow around 4. Anyone else going to be heading out tomorrow evening?

Hoping to meet some new friends tonight!