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Lake Erie Charter Captain Dave Adams of D & D Charters answers questions and provides tips and insights into fishing the region.
If you would like to Ask the Captain a question, please click HERE.
February 19, 2001
David G. Asks:
Hello and thank you for taking your valuable time to answer questions. I make 2 or 3 trips to North East and Walnut Creek each spring. I live in Altoona. In May last year bass were hard to catch for me due to gobys. As soon as my bait hit bottom ..... boom another goby. I tried 12 feet to 40 feet of water with same results. Can you offer any insight to this problem? Do they return every year? Some days when the fishing is slow for me (I use shiners) locals are catching on every cast using a spoon. Can you offer any advice on spoon selection or even lure selection? I try to make it the weekend after trout and mid-May.
Any advice is greatly appreciated,
David G.
Ray and Joe Ask:
My fishing buddy and I will be making our first trip to Erie this year. We have a tentative date of June 2 thru June 9. We will be staying in the Erie/Presque Isle area and have an 18 ft. Smokercraft w/80 hp Honda.
What can we expect that time of year as far as smallmouth and walleye availability? Being greenhorns as far as Erie is concerned we don't want to venture very far from Presque Isle but we are getting conflicting reports as to the best place (and time) to fish for smallmouth and walleye. Would appreciate any insight you can give us.
Thanks,
Ray and Joe
Joseph Asks:
I plan to fish Erie this year because I have been hearing good
things about bass fishing there. So as usual I try to gather as much info
as I can before visiting a new place. I have found info. telling me there is
good rock formations along the shores and that good smallie fishing can be
had. I plan to fish PA but don't know if I should stay around Presque Isle
or near North East. I also have read about underwater trenches etc. out in
50 to 100 feet of water. What month of year do smallies come close to the
shores and numerous creeks around the Presque and North East areas, and with
bad weather and high wave action would it be best to launch each day or can
I find a marina that is sheltered enough to leave the boat in for the week I
am there? Thanks for any help, and it is great that you are willing to share info. with anglers.
Can I ask one more question; is there a time when smallies and walleyes can be caught together?
Joseph
Captain Dave's Response: Joseph, Ray, David and Joe:
As anglers, we are outmanned and under gunned to deal with such an adversary. The round goby has us flanked on all sides. Nevertheless, by understanding this invader - the battle can be won.
The Goby
Foremost, let's begin by studying this intruder from the Black and Caspian seas. The round goby first appeared in Lake Superior's Duluth/Superior harbor in 1995. The most likely cause of origin is that the fish arrived in the ballast water of a trans-oceanic ship (currently the U.S.C.G. requires all ships to exchange ballast water before entering the St. Lawrence). The goby is capable of rapid population growth. Spawning repeatedly during the summer, a female can produce up to 5,000 eggs. Most surprising is that the diet of the goby not only includes fish eggs and insects, but also zebra mussels.
Now, how do we as anglers, armed with only a small lure or dead minnow, present this set-up to the smallmouth bass, which has an army of gobies surrounding them? The answer is water temperature.
Early Bass Season
When the water temperature is under 50 degrees (mid April 'till mid-May) gobys let their defenses down. Also, at this time, bass are in a pre-spawn feeding frenzy. A direct ground frontal assault with live bait or Gitzits will work well. Larger shiners, jigs, leeches, or crawlers can be used. My favorite weapon is a slow drift with the Lindy rig equipped with a leech, whereas, the brown or red Gitzit is a strong backup.
Mid Season
Once the water reaches 60 degrees (mid-May 'till early June), gobys get aggressive and any attempt at live bait fishing is futile. Since the goby is a bottom dweller, the best flanking maneuver is an aerial assault (trolling plugs) - this will allow anglers to bypass the front line of the goby defense. During this time, trolling is, by far, the most productive tactic. A favorite setup is the 3 1/2 inch Thunderstick (darker colors) or 2-1/2 inch Shad Rap (black/silver). Concentrate trolling efforts in the 20 to 25 foot depths. With a lead of 35 to 50 feet and using eight-pound line, both the Thunderstick and Shad Rap will reach a trolling depth of 10 to 12 feet. This will keep the lure just above the gobys.
Summer Bassin
Around mid-June 'till the end of July, bass fishing is best. The bass are hungry enough to beat the nasty goby to most live bait set-ups, and trolling will produce phenomenal bass action. You will catch your share of gobies, but the bass action will more than make up for the aggravation of loosing a minnow or two.
Where to go
When looking for a spot to fish, two areas generally hold more than the average amount of bass. The first location is four miles east of Presque Isle Bay. Two concrete pilings, situated approximately one half-mile offshore, can be used as a marker. Depending on wind direction, keep all drifts to the east of that marker. The second area (nicknamed the "W's" for the water trails cut in the cliff) is three miles west of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission marina at North East PA. Use the cliffs as a center point for all drifts. Both areas have gradual sloping rocky bottoms and packs of boats will be present. Start in 12 feet of water and work to 45 feet.
Lodging, Marinas, and Boat Slippage
Boat anglers, seeking lodging, ramps, overnight boat slip rental, or public ramps can find up-to-date information at this web site. If the lake kicks up, Presque Isle Bay offers the best escape route. And the North East marina offers the shortest boat ride to the fish, as well as overnight slip rental.
Wrap Up
Cold water fishing translates to big bass and few gobys; moreover, warm water means you must battle gobys. If you want a trophy bass - fish April until mid-May with live bait or gitzits. From mid-May until mid-June, troll or cast any artificial lure, but stay off the lake bottom. Once the regular bass seasons opens on June 16 and even with the goby presence, the fishing is good with all the conventional tactics.
Just as Lake Erie has seen many changes - the bass angler must also change. Even though the round goby does make fishing difficult at times, I feel that the big water is still the number one smallmouth bass water in the world.
Good Fishing,
Capt. Dave Adams
Dave Adams is an author and professional charter captain who operates D & D Charters on the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie.
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