Thread: First time on the big lake....

Some friends of my Brother In Law in Michigan asked us to join them on a charter trip on Lake Erie this weekend. Three couples will be going out with Sea Breeze Charters out of Oak Harbor, OH. on Sunday Sept. 20th. Hoping to get on the 'eyes, smallies, and perch. We will give a report and pictures when we get back on Monday.

Jeff

Good luck. Will be looking for those pics and the report.

To say that our first time out on the big lake was not what we expected would be an understatement. We knew that walleye fishing would be tough this time of year, and let our captain talk us into chasing some perch to start out with. I was expecting some big'uns, but after two hours the biggest one we had in the bucket was about 8". The six of us were tired of catching little perch, noting that we could have done that back at the BIL's house off of his dock. We let the captain know that we would rather fish for walleye and blank than continue catching the small perch, so off we went in search of the toothy critters. Caught several gobys, a few large sheepshead, and two keeper walleye. The 'eyes were 16" and 17" respectively. I have pictures, but you all have seen pictures of Jill with walleye already. We were dragging harneses with 1/2 a crawler. Can't tell you for sure where we were, but we could see the cooling tower for the nuke plant to the west of us. Fished in 15-21 FOW.

Overall we enjoyed the trip, but it wasn't up to our expectations. We are talking about another trip in the spring when the 'eye bite is on. And you can bet I'll be planning this one and booking it with Captain Rick!!

They were calling for 1-3 footers on Sunday, and none of us "rookies" got sick, but by the time we headed back in we were in 3-4 footers. It was an interesting ride back. There is NO WAY I would consider taking the F&S out on that lake, although several have told me it would do just fine in anything 4' and under. Sorry, I'm not taking the chance.

Jeff

Jeff, sorry you had a disappointing day. This time of year, you have to come east to get the big perch and walleyes. We were out of Conneaut and hammered them. Here's a couple pics of the last catch.

Yes.... GO EAST!! Even just as far as Vermillon will get you into much better (larger) perch fishing. Also, Vermillon and eastward you get the chance of hooking into some steelhead as well as walleye.

Sorry your trip wasn't the best.... ya win some ya loose some. Try it again, I have had some awsome days on Erie!! Haha, just look at that fish chaunc is holding!!!!!! How big was that bad boy? Guessing 31" and 10lbs...........

they are right about east

I get to visit family in the northwest part of Ohio in June every year and my cousin has had me out several times and we have slayed the eyes. My son even hauled in this 27" eye. First weeks of June are good!!