On Saturday 6/25 Dave and his family from Eastern PA joined me for some rough lake conditions on the big lake . 4-6 foot waves had the bite slowed but we did manage to have an excellent time on the water for our roller coaster ride . We dropped two Walleye at the back of boat and caught a few sheep head & white perch . Thanks for the great company .
On Monday 6/27 the Lake calmed out and yielded an excellent bounty for Allen & Ellen from Nevada . In 4 hours of trolling we boated 14 Walleyes in the 4 - 7.5 lb range ( 24-27inches ). Great company for mate James & I and an epic day of catching to boot . Fish were difficult to boat with many fish dropped but still a great bunch of quality eyes for the half day trip .
Captain Don Clayton from Fish Connection Charters teamed up with me on Wednesday searching for "the motherload" of Walleye off of Conneaut , OH . We found some nice schools of above average size fish cruising the depths .
The day started slow with the surface temperature being around 62 degrees and then the sun heated up the action . The water temperature warmed 4 degrees and triggered an excellent off shore bite resulting in the demise of 12 Walleyes , two 10lb fish ( 30-31 inches) , three 8lb+ fish (28-29 inches) , five fish between 5-7lbs , and 2 dinks 3-5lbs LOL . One of my heaviest coolers for 12 fish and the action seemed to continue until the end . We also released two fish that hit after our limit was attained ; as we were pulling the rest of our lines in .
The Walleye are here and the action should continue to be great throughout September . Notice the picture of the 10 lb walleye with an 8inch white Perch in it's gullet ; these things are eating machines .
On Friday June 17th Jeff and Cory joined me for a humbling time getting the Walleye to bite out of Walnut Creek Access , PA ; a 10 degree surface temperature drop was the culprit giving the fish lock jaw ( from 62 to 52 degrees) . 4 hours of trolling only yielded 1 walleye and a plethora of fresh water drum ( sheep head ) .
The tide turned the following day when fishing out of Conneaut , OH ; the water temperature warmed between 62-64 degrees . This steady heat lead Dave's Fathers Day group put the screws to some Eastern Basin Walleye .
15 fish were boxed in 5 hours of trolling and 2 were lost just at the net . A spectacular showing this early in the season and good signs of things to come . All fish were between 4 and 8 lbs with two the largest being just over 8lbs ( 28 inches ) . In Ohio a 28 inch fish is worthy of an angler award that includes a certificate and fish pin from OHDNR. The Captain did a huge blunder of this day losing an 8lb plus fish at the net ; but you can't win them all . I am thankful to share in memories with good company on the big lake .
Tight Lines ,
Capt Don <>< <>< <><
On Sunday June 12th Dave and his gang from Butler / Pittsburgh , PA joined us for an exciting adventure upon the big lake . The weather started out nice with light northerly winds and quickly lived up to it's rough reputation . The 3-5foot waves built by the time we were finished and we ended up dredging 9 Walleye between 3-7 lbs . A good day despite what mother nature threw at us and an excellent crew to make it happen . The boat was rockin' and eyes were knockin' . Thanks for the memories guys and keeping Mate Matt in line : )
Perhaps not Browns from Cleveland but Brenden from Florida concurs that these trout are fierce . Although the action wasn't fast & furious trout still lurk the pristine waters of the Allegheny tributaries . Our shared experience was nothing short of spectacular in the Allegheny National Forest.
Although the action has been long in coming the "eyes" have finally emerged along the shores of the eastern basin on Lake Erie ! Local images to follow . I have spent many of nights along the near shore waters in wait for only a few fish ; but definitely worthwhile ! As any fisherman would do ( fill their freezer first ) ; now it's time to fill you'res ... Reports from near & far are beyond expectations and a glimmer of hope has came to light . The early season was full of wet , cold weather , and murky near shore water clarity that had previously slowed walleye feeding has sub sided .
Fish are starting to accept their fate and are ending up in local coolers ! Images are from May 6- June 5th . The largest being 8lb10 ounce . Take notice to the bonus 18lb channel cat caught trolling near shore lake Erie Waters . This fish tested the limits of my tackle and took 10 minutes to land !
The meal (pictured) is fried walleye fillets (chunk ed) wet rolled in flour , dipped in egg & milk , rolled into saltine crackers / Italian seasoning , and fried at 400 degrees for 7 minutes in vegetable oil . Fish fries are well accompanied by hush puppies by House Autry ( with onion ) seasoning & some tater tots . Lastly pictured is Santa Claus leaving Lake city with a bag full of Erie Walleye , Pymatuning Lake Walleye , and Crappie fillets !
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