Lake Erie smallmouth?

[Whitaker201]

I am heading up to the islands area for saturday and sunday, has anybody been up there SM fishing lately? If so and you don't mind sharing, what depth should I start looking for them? It has been 4 weeks since I was there. IM me if you want.

[dmov]

They should be anywhere from 12-40.

That should give you a good starting point...

[Whitaker201]

Gee thanks ..........

Don't be hatin' cause you can't go this time!

[200xp]

Last I heard they were doing pretty good on DD-22's, carolina rigged on a 4LB. flourocarbon leader attached to 8WT. line with a fly rod at 21 feet, drifting Ruggles.


Oh, and where was my invitation???????????????????????

[Dan21XRS]

Ya nuts? Every crazy will be out this weekend,,, ... Good luck... Dan

[NASCAR]

I can guarunteeeee you they are in the water

[Whitaker201]

Yes I am! I have to take advantage of any chance I get to spend multiple days on the big pond. As I like to say you can't catch'em at home doing yard work, got to be on the water to get'em!

[Whitaker201]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by 200xp &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Last I heard they were doing pretty good on DD-22's, carolina rigged on a 4LB. flourocarbon leader attached to 8WT. line with a fly rod at 21 feet, drifting Ruggles.


Oh, and where was my invitation???????????????????????
</td></tr></table>


SSSHHHHHHH!!!!! I told you not to tell anybody about that technique!



What is this comedy hour on the OH board? .......

[dmov]

I heard they were biting on beetle spins and dough baits near drops offs.

[Whitaker201]

You are definately not helping!

[200xp]

dough bait.

with spinning gear????

[Whitaker201]

YES! and with 4lb test!

[FSHN ROD]

Hell I still have never been there before !
been thinkin about goin to Detroit river someday

[champ221]

was at erie today on the east end of ohio, only fished conneaut and ashtabula harbors, action has really slowed up, i believe the bulk of the spawning has taken place and the bigger fish have started to move back out, the reports over here say to look around main lake structure about 15 to 18 foot deep. good luck

[acshiner]

how did you do im heading up there this weekend to fish sat and sunday..........

[Whitaker201]

We caught about 100 over the 2 days. Avg was about 2.5#'s and we never got one over 4#'s. Most fish were caught on tubes in 4-9' of water. Some fish were still spawning.

[200xp]

Sounds like you had a good time and obviously you were not bored Thats why I love to fish there, although I figured the smallies would be all spawned out by now. Next time you plan a trip let me know maybe I can drag the 200xp up there with ya.

[Whitaker201]

Will do!

[bman5150]

Any chance you guys can point me in the right direction for fishing largemouth (harbors) and smallies in Lake Erie? I haven't tried it yet since getting a boat last spring but I'm dying to give it a shot this summer. Really, if you guys could just give me 1-2 boat launch suggestions that put me within a reasonable distance to some smallie waters + have a fair share of inside harbor spots to fish, I'd really appreciate it! It would at least get me started. I'm a little nervous about heading out too far in my 18' Triton but she's done well in crazy wave action on Lake St. Clair/Detroit River and KY Lake. Still, I don't want to venture out too far unless I have a plan to find calm water quickly.

Also, if you have a boat-friendly hotel near your suggested launch ramps I'd appreciate that info as well! Thanks!

[Whitaker201]

For a hotel we stayed at Best Budget Inn(I think). I used Travelocity to find it and searched around Port Clinton. It was one of the few reasonable hotels listed 50$ a night and was 20mile from Catawba Island State park ramp. There may be hotels closer but on short notice and Memorial day weekend that was all I could find.

When going to Lake Erie pay attention to the wave forcasts from NOAA. A south or west wind creates smaller waves on the western basin.

Sorry I cant help you on the LM or harbors, I have never fished them. But the Islands are only about 5 miles off shore and offer some calmer water.