Day 4 on Lake Erie

[Dwight Hottle]

Day four was our first good weather day providing us access to the open lake. I declared it’s jerk bait time and after the first bite that is all we used. We fished mostly 18-22 fow. We had about 25-30 total smallies with 6 bass over 5lbs and one over 6 lbs at 6-4. Robert had a new PB at 5-8. Also had a bonus walleye which isn’t in season until next week after we are gone. We finished the day with smiles on our faces. 

[TnRiver46]

[Jar11591]

Awesome bronzebacks Dwight. Some nice color on them too. 

[HudsonAngler]

Sounds like you had a great day on the water! Jerk baits can be real productive for smallies, especially in that 18-22 fow range. Next time, try mixing in some drop shot rigs with soft plastics – it might help to target even more finicky fish.

[roadwarrior]

 

 

                   

[softwateronly]

What a trip!  Congrats on finding a way even when the weather was less than cooperative most of the time.  The Great lakes are special, but Erie is something else.

 

scott

 

[casts_by_fly]

Wow. Some of those are pigs. Love it. 
 

fishing 18-22’, what depth jerkbaits are you fishing?  10-12’ rated depth baits?  Anything less seems like you’re trying to call them up from too far but the proof is in the pudding. I don’t know jerkbaits so trying to learn from you and a-jay. 

[Will Wetline]

Yes sir! Those are fine fish.

[T-Billy]

Way to go Dwight!!! What an awesome day!!! Congrats!!!

[Captain Phil]

Lake Erie has got to be the best brown bass fishery on the planet.  I had the pleasure of fishing it two summers in a row and it was the first time I fished for smallies. We rented a home on Pelee Island and fished for a week each time.  Unbelievable!

[Dwight Hottle]

8 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Wow. Some of those are pigs. Love it. 
 

fishing 18-22’, what depth jerkbaits are you fishing?  10-12’ rated depth baits?  Anything less seems like you’re trying to call them up from too far but the proof is in the pudding. I don’t know jerkbaits so trying to learn from you and a-jay. 

We were using suspending deep divers in lucky craft, smithwick & rapala. By using 10 lb braid with a mono leader you can get the baits down to 15-18 fow. They will come up a long way when you have good visibility in the water column. 

[Bankbeater]

Looks like you’re having a good trip. Nice catching!

[Kirtley Howe]

7 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

Lake Erie has got to be the best brown bass fishery on the planet.  I had the pleasure of fishing it two summers in a row and it was the first time I fished for smallies. We rented a home on Pelee Island and fished for a week each time.  Unbelievable!

I would be hard put to choose between Lake Onterio/Thousand Islands and Lake Erie as far as "best" for Smallmouth bass.  And don't forget Lake Champlain......

 

[Captain Phil]

59 minutes ago, Kirtley Howe said:

I would be hard put to choose between Lake Onterio/Thousand Islands and Lake Erie as far as "best" for Smallmouth bass.  And don't forget Lake Champlain......

 

 

When I grew up, I was taught to believe the Great Lakes were a polluted mess.  I pictured them as oceans of oil and sludge. In school we learned about sea lampreys and heard about rivers catching fire.  When I was asked if I wanted to go fishing in Lake Erie, I didn't know what to expect.  To say I was shocked is an understatement.  The water is as clear as the water in the Florida Keys.  Fish are abundant and fishing was fantastic.  When I asked how this could happen, I was told about Zebra Mussels and Gobies.  I only fished there two summers.  The lures we used were Goby colored tube jigs.  We towed by buddy's Ranger up I-75 and crossed into Canada to take the ferry across to the island.  We fished the Glacier Groves around the Island in 15-20 feet of water and caught fish all day everyday.  It's was an amazing experience.

 

Having never caught a smallmouth before, I was surprised to discover them to be a different fight than largemouth bass.  They seem to jump more and threw the hook more easily than I was used to.  Their fight is strong, but different.  Largemouth are brutes that pull strong early on.  Smallmouth have more overall energy. 

[Swamp Girl]

Dwight's plan: "We'll catch big bass. Then more big bass. Then even bigger bass. By days end, our wrists will whimper at the prospect of holding up yet another beast. Got it?"