Unexpected catch on the Ohio today

[TheCream]

Had I been thinking clearly, which obviously I wasn't, I would have photographed a catch to share from this morning. We were sauger fishing, doing well, when I had another subtle strike...little extra weight, set the hook, lazy sauger-esque fight, until I get the prize to the surface. That's when I see it has 4 legs. Now I'm no expert, but I'm not used to catching things in 21' of water on a jig that has 4 legs. I think I shouted "What the _____!?" :shhh: It was about a 9-10" mudpuppy! I looked it up on the DNR site when I got back. That was a true first for me on the water, I didn't even know it was possible to catch one in the Ohio River.

And yes, I admit, the first thing I thought was it was some sort of mutant sauger created by chemical plants around Belpre. :biggrin::whistle:

[riverdude]

Had I been thinking clearly, which obviously I wasn't, I would have photographed a catch to share from this morning. We were sauger fishing, doing well, when I had another subtle strike...little extra weight, set the hook, lazy sauger-esque fight, until I get the prize to the surface. That's when I see it has 4 legs. Now I'm no expert, but I'm not used to catching things in 21' of water on a jig that has 4 legs. I think I shouted "What the _____!?" :shhh: It was about a 9-10" mudpuppy! I looked it up on the DNR site when I got back. That was a true first for me on the water, I didn't even know it was possible to catch one in the Ohio River.

And yes, I admit, the first thing I thought was it was some sort of mutant sauger created by chemical plants around Belpre. :biggrin::whistle:

Evening Cream.
Years ago when I was a kid I was fishing with my Grandfather in our pound. We were using worms and bobbers, he got a hit and had a heck of a "drag" in to land it. It was a leather back turtle. First time and only time I saw one. Never seen another in our pond since. :confused:
Riverdude.

[antiqucycle]

The last time I saw a mud puppy was probably 45 years ago in Mill Creek Park in Youngstown Ohio. fast moving clear shallow water. And thats the only wild one I have seen. I have seined a lot of chubs in lots of creeks and never caught one.

[wildohio22]

thats neat:) never new they existed til now

[riverdude]

The last time I saw a mud puppy was probably 45 years ago in Mill Creek Park in Youngstown Ohio. fast moving clear shallow water. And thats the only wild one I have seen. I have seined a lot of chubs in lots of creeks and never caught one.

Antiqucycle,

That Leather back was the first and only one I saw as well, probably 34 years ago. If I recall he had a real long "beak" on the front of his head.:confused:
Riverdude.

[TheCream]

I've seen a ton of leatherbacks on the Ohio and hooked several while catfishing. They are notorious for hitting nightcrawlers and liver.

This was the first and only mudpuppy I have ever seen!

[gf319804]

Those mud puppies' are some ugly son's a beeches. Look like a big Tadpole that never completely developed.

[antiqucycle]

I think you guys are using a slang name when you say leatherbacks when what you mean are soft shell turtles.
Leatherback turtles are salt water turtles that weigh like 500 lb. the ones that crawl up on a sandy beach like Sebastian Inlet to lay eggs.
I have seen tons of soft shell turtles fishing in Florida drainage canals, but very very few in Ohio. I have been known to drag home snappers, I usually catch out on the roads in August.

What I said I saw was a Hellbender which is twice the size of a mud puppy but simiar in appearance. at 8 inches, you probably did see a mud puppy also known as a waterdog. mud puppies like muddy water, hellbenders want clean fast water.

[Turkeyfoot]

Mudpuppys and soft shells are quite common in the Ohio river and its tributaries, especially in the Pike Island pool that I fish regularly;)

[TheCream]

Those mud puppies' are some ugly son's a beeches. Look like a big Tadpole that never completely developed.

No kidding. I didn't even want to handle it. Just to be safe, I gave it the old rod tip release. ;)

[TheCream]

I think you guys are using a slang name when you say leatherbacks when what you mean are soft shell turtles.
Leatherback turtles are salt water turtles that weigh like 500 lb. the ones that crawl up on a sandy beach like Sebastian Inlet to lay eggs.
I have seen tons of soft shell turtles fishing in Florida drainage canals, but very very few in Ohio. I have been known to drag home snappers, I usually catch out on the roads in August.

What I said I saw was a Hellbender which is twice the size of a mud puppy but simiar in appearance. at 8 inches, you probably did see a mud puppy also known as a waterdog. mud puppies like muddy water, hellbenders want clean fast water.

To be more scientifically specific, what you and I and all of us are referring to is the Eastern spiny softshell turtle, Apalone spinifera spinifera:

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/easternspinysoftshellturtle/tabid/6618/Default.aspx

:D;)

[bowtech777]

my brother in law caught this thing in MAryland called a hellbender .
It is a large salamander, really crazy looking, it was about 15 - 18 inches long.

Pretty cool, caught it out of the Yough, friendsville maryland.

http://www.hellbenders.org/abouthellbenders.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellbender

http://www.fieldtripearth.org/article.xml?id=980

[riverdude]

To be more scientifically specific, what you and I and all of us are referring to is the Eastern spiny softshell turtle, Apalone spinifera spinifera:

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/easternspinysoftshellturtle/tabid/6618/Default.aspx

:D;)

Cream,
DAT'S Him Alright!!!!!!!! I will never forget that face!
Like I said earlier, it was a Looooooooooooong time ago. Gramps caught him on a night crawler. He called it a Leather back.
Thanks for sharing the link with the picture......night mares for me tonight.:D
Riverdude.

[riverdude]

[quote=bowtech777;328910]my brother in law caught this thing in MAryland called a hellbender .
It is a large salamander, really crazy looking, it was about 15 - 18 inches long.



Bowtech, And here all along I thought a "Hellbender" was my Ex wife! :whistle:
Riverdude.

[Steve]

They sure are one ugly animal.

[bill dowler]

if u fish willow island very much when the water is high, u will see a lot of mud puppies........hey by the way where was u catching all of ur sauger at?

[redcloud102]

They sure are one ugly animal.

Are you talking about the amphibian or the ex-wives :D

[coonskinner]

Had I been thinking clearly, which obviously I wasn't, I would have photographed a catch to share from this morning. We were sauger fishing, doing well, when I had another subtle strike...little extra weight, set the hook, lazy sauger-esque fight, until I get the prize to the surface. That's when I see it has 4 legs. Now I'm no expert, but I'm not used to catching things in 21' of water on a jig that has 4 legs. I think I shouted "What the _____!?" :shhh: It was about a 9-10" mudpuppy! I looked it up on the DNR site when I got back. That was a true first for me on the water, I didn't even know it was possible to catch one in the Ohio River.

And yes, I admit, the first thing I thought was it was some sort of mutant sauger created by chemical plants around Belpre. :biggrin::whistle:

theyre in the hocking river,especially around the whitesmill dam area...:D

[riverdude]

Are you talking about the amphibian or the ex-wives :D

I can't speak for others but I'm talking about the Ex wife! :yikes:
Riverdude.

[Dissident]

Thats too funny, because i caught one this morning out of a trib of the Ohio. First time ever. Was on powerbait of all things. It was probably 18 inches and looked old as the hills. I photod with my cellphone and then cut the line. If i can figure it out i 'll post a pic.