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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.
November 17, 2002
Mark asks:
Hi Capt. Dave,
I troll the mouths of Walnut Creek and Trout Run for steelhead in Sept., Oct., and Nov. and I was wondering if trolling the mouths in the spring is productive for steelhead.
If it is, what are the best times for this?
Thanks,
Mark
Captain Dave's Response:
Hello Mark,
They say it was about the third weekend of April last year. It was about noon and there was a bass angler who was getting bored. He had jigged and jigged for hours. "Plenty of gobies," he said to the near-by charter boat. "But where are the bass?"
The charter boat, it too, was after bass.
"Before we head to the 'W's', let's drop a plug and troll past Sixteen Mile Creek," the captain said to the anxious bass fishing clients. "We might pick up a nice bass before we start drifting."
One pole was used. It was the typical set-up for bass, eight-pound test, light spinning reel, and a Shap Rap.
But the near-shore waters were packed with boats, either anchored or drifting for the "famed" spring bass of Lake Erie. So, trolling would be tough.
"Just one pole," the captain said. "It's crowded out here."
The plug was out. But it didn't go far. Because two minutes into the troll, a fish engulfed the plug. It was bigger, stronger, and faster than any fish the bass client had expected to catch.
Just then the fish gave a sudden lurch and made a torrid run to where the bass boats were drifting. The bass client, in total awe, could only watch and hold on as the Lake Erie steelhead then leaped only inches from one of those boats.
"Hey!"
"That d... steelhead almost jumped in my boat," screamed the bored I-was-jigging-for two-hours bass angler.
"I can't help it," the bass angler client hollered back. "It won't stop!" The steelhead jumped one more time, again splashing, the bored bass angler; then, snapped the line.
While thoroughly enjoying the steelhead's show, as well as the surprised look on the client's face, and without laughing, the captain managed to say, "You want to try for another steelhead?"
"No," the client said, "Let's go for bass."
They left for the "W's" and only caught a few bass.
The steelhead are there. But the bass fishing has taken precedent the last 10 years. Even I have not had a chance to target or learn how to catch spring steelhead. Surprisingly, this is what most Pennsylvania anglers and charter captains said. Yet, everyone seems to agree - the steelhead fishery is too good to ignore.
So I asked a few Lake Ontario charter captains, who start as early as March, and they said spring is a good time to target steelhead.
They use the same tactics that we use in the fall. The main thing to remember, they said, is to look for "small" breaks in the water temperature. Work close to shore with boards and small plugs - just as we do in the fall - while watching the water temperature on your fish finder.
If the near shore temperature (near the tributary mouth) is 42 degrees and the temperature on your fish finder suddenly drops to 38 degrees, that is where the steelhead are - right on the edge of the temperature break. As the season progresses - April into May - follow the cold/warm edge of water.
On Lake Michigan, where catching trout and salmon takes precedent over other types of fishing, spring tournaments can be won on how many steelhead that are caught. Plugs such as the Reef Runner off the planer boards are popular. But if you want to catch steelhead, use spoons said one charter boat captain.
Anglers on both lakes agree, though, if you can find a thermal break, the fish will be there. And fish are generally in the same area, at the same time, year after year. Target high for spring steelhead, the top 15 feet because - at times and on a calm lake - you'll actually see the steelhead on top of the lake.
Hope this helps. Look for a more detailed answer this spring at fisherie.com. I'm still researching this, by boat!
Incidentally, that bored bass angler was last seen trolling up and down the shoreline near Sixteen Mile Creek. They say he is still smiling.
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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