Barges are one of, if not the most, common form of structure and cover on the Ohio River. Yet, most of the anglers who fish the River pass them by on their way to another spot. Barges will produce fish during most of the calendar year and are usually within easy motoring distance from a ramp. Why not learn to fish them?

Begin fishing a barge by carefully analyzing the current. Fish in the Ohio River, like all bodies of moving water, relate to the current. They also relate and adapt to what is available to them. Barges are available to them so they use them. It is just that simple.

When fishing barges your lure or bait should be presented with the current. That is, the bait should move along with the current, not against it. Usually the best place to start is at the head of the barge. It will rise from the water at an angle of something like 45 degrees. Throw your lure or bait up under the nose of the barge as far as you can and then let it drift down under the nose. Fish will hold in this area to ambush prey.