Fishing

[robw]

Just a few thoughts on a holiday I'm not on the water.....

 

We've done OK this year on Erie, Getting a bunch of walleye (no 2 man limits, but closer every time) just about every time out, but the places we expect to find fish this time of year doesn't seem to hold many.  We've spent a lot more time moving around looking before we start fishing.  Don't know the certain issue, (could be water level, temp, currents seem screwy this year, or something else) but the fish are out there.  Just gotta go find them.  And that doesn't mean go where the clump of boats are either.  Bad fishermen are never alone    We start with a mix of sticks and harnesses, different colors till something works, then switch to that and go get them. We catch most of ours all by ourselves, at least till someone sees the net out, then others show up, fish shut down, and we start over.  Been doing well in 45-55 fow trolling watermelon harnesses at or near the bottom, 1.6 - 2.0 mph.  Last week torpedo divers took most fish, the dipseys and slide divers hardly got hit.  We find a school, hit them hard, and move when they disperse

 

We catch bass often, by accident, and trolling a stick-bait seems the best way, if we tried on purpose.  A week ago couldn't keep bass off a purple wish by bay rat.  35 down in 45 FOW, 1.8 mph  I'd find some bottom structure, run a bunch of sticks, different colors till they tell me what they like today, then load up on those. 

 

So, use your electronics to find them, find what works, and when the bite stops, move - fishing 101 stuff, but we all make the mistake of staying put or sticking with what worked before when it isn't working today, 

 

Tight lines all, and Happy 4th of July!

 

Rob