Thread: Port Clinton Marblehead

I haven't personally been there but in looking at another website it seems like it's still a little early and your timing for early May should be pretty good.

It's so strange that all other lakes in the state start producing so early and these waters always start in May

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Always like that ....... we've even caught them up to mid June........ heading up the 1st weekend of may for sure ....... 2nd or 3rd weekend depending on how 1st trip goes.......water temps are getting right so should be close up there

Also meant to mention ....... my theory as to why it happens later on Erie i..... things like wind direction can affect temps and water levels in the bays and harbors....... so makes bays a little less stable than say a inland lake....... north wind can fill the bays / harbors with cooler main lake water and cause them to go up quite a bit......... I think it's due to the changing water levels and up and down temps that delay the process ........ just my opinion though

As I learn more about the way Crappie spawn and react to weather change your comment makes perfect sense. I've been fishing up there for 30 years and the bite always starts late. The one thing I can't figure out is why do the crappies bite in the dead of winter in the inland lakes and not up there. Do they find deep pockets of warmer water out in the lake and then migrate into the rivers once it gets warm?

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Originally Posted by Crappy Attitude

As I learn more about the way Crappie spawn and react to weather change your comment makes perfect sense. I've been fishing up there for 30 years and the bite always starts late. The one thing I can't figure out is why do the crappies bite in the dead of winter in the inland lakes and not up there. Do they find deep pockets of warmer water out in the lake and then migrate into the rivers once it gets warm?

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That I have no idea...... I don't spend time in the winter on Erie ...... have gone up in oct and early nov and caught them on the same patterns as spring...... I'd guess those fish are resident fish in the bays / harbors / rivers ....... but that's strictly a guess....... I wonder how/if the weed / vegetation dying off affects them...... honestly don't know though

Please keep us updated on this trip. I am planning a trip memorial day weekend. I have never been and have always read how Sandusky Bay and East Harbor are great crappie spots. I may be a little late to the party, but I hope they are still hanging around.

One other important question you guys may help me with..... I have a Pro17 Bass Tracker with a 40HP engine. Weather permitting, do you think this is enough boat to float around East Harbor & Sandusky Bay? I have never fished Erie, and this will be quite the learning experience I am sure. Any help would be appreciated.

A side note. We will either be camping at East Harbor or staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Port Clinton. Where should I launch? Where is a good place to clean fish? Thanks!!

Originally Posted by Coy

Please keep us updated on this trip. I am planning a trip memorial day weekend. I have never been and have always read how Sandusky Bay and East Harbor are great crappie spots. I may be a little late to the party, but I hope they are still hanging around.

One other important question you guys may help me with..... I have a Pro17 Bass Tracker with a 40HP engine. Weather permitting, do you think this is enough boat to float around East Harbor & Sandusky Bay? I have never fished Erie, and this will be quite the learning experience I am sure. Any help would be appreciated.

A side note. We will either be camping at East Harbor or staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Port Clinton. Where should I launch? Where is a good place to clean fish? Thanks!!

Actually took the week off and the weather is terrible. I was up this past weekend and the bite hasn't started. We were able to get 30, but we had to really fish for them. Going up tonight for much of the same.

Your boat will be fine for the bay and East Harbor. I used to use my brothers Tracker Sweet 16 which only has a 25hp on it. Now i have an 18 foot bass boat. We go out in the bay and sit under US2 and catch catfish. Never had the stones to try to adventure out on the lake. Usually the Crappie bite is ending around M-Day but I have caught them as late as June. There will be lots of traffic and noise to send them running.

As far as launching I would try Tibbels Marina right across from Highway Bait Store headed out towards Marblehead. They have a good ramp and it puts you in the middle of East Harbour. Usually by M-Day the vegetation is in full bloom. The spots that produced the week before you can't fish because of the lily pads.

At any rate hope this was good info for you.

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