Ashtabula 8/22

[DW72]

Hey. Lines started going in around 1:00. Man PFK was right. Only about 2 1/2 - 3 feet deep leaving the launch to get out. I don't draft much so was ok.

Went out NNW to 73 FOW where I had been getting them before. Fish were really scarce. Searched around for 60-90 mins and Dad dropped a couple big ones at the boat. Found a small pod and the later it got they started showing up and biting. Got our 12 between 3 and 6:00. Pretty much eaters. One about 25 and the other 3 big fish we lost....one possible fish Ohio. They were short biting mostly.

2.1-2.4 SOG. Slim Shady's purple passion and purple passion chrome were best along with Halloween. Chartreuse and blue Chrome caught a couple.

I could not get a bite in any direction except directly into the waves. Honestly probably 3 hours with no bites in all directions. They hammered each time I went straight into them.

Learned a bit today so hopefully next two days will be a touch easier. Awesome day overall with my Dad who is 77.

Good luck fellas!

[DW72]

Sorry....I forgot a few things. The best fishing was 74-75 FOW. I ran bandits. The best lead for number of bites was 3 oz snaps at 50/200. All the big fish were 5 oz at 50/170 though. One big one 5 oz at 50/185.

And.....in past trips we had no cell signal beyond like 8 miles out. They must have put a new tower up somewhere because I had 5G all day! I was like 15 miles from the launch. Much more peace of if mind.

Will let my fishing partner sleep in and skip the frenzy at the launch today. We have all day so will enjoy.
Will also lighten the drag a lot for those straight down runs and big head shakes at the back of the boat.😂

[badboards]

Sorry....I forgot a few things. The best fishing was 74-75 FOW. I ran bandits. The best lead for number of bites was 3 oz snaps at 50/200. All the big fish were 5 oz at 50/170 though. One big one 5 oz at 50/185.

And.....in past trips we had no cell signal beyond like 8 miles out. They must have put a new tower up somewhere because I had 5G all day! I was like 15 miles from the launch. Much more peace of if mind.

Will let my fishing partner sleep in and skip the frenzy at the launch today. We have all day so will enjoy.
Will also lighten the drag a lot for those straight down runs and big head shakes at the back of the boat.😂

Is that 200 total line out or 250

[sherman51]

Is that 200 total line out or 250

the way I understand it's 200' of line out add the 3oz weight then let out 50' more, for a total of 250' of line out. the first number in line out without weight then after attaching the weight the second number is how much more line you let out after attaching the weight.

the 50/200 is 200' of line out attach the 5oz weight then let out another 50' of line out.

[Budman118]

It’s the other way around. Let 50’ out and attach your snap weight. Then let out 150 feet more for 200 total or 200 out for 250 total. We were running between 240-275 total today with 3oz snap weights. Rule of thumb is about 11 foot difference in depth per ounce of weight at around 2mph trolling speed.

[DW72]

Yes, 50 to the weight and another 150 for a total of 200. Most of the fish are deep which is why Budman is running longer. The 5 oz weights at 50/170 or 50/180 were way better than the 3 oz for me. Easier to handle the shorter leads too for me.

[Budman118]

I agree. I wanted to switch to 4 or 5oz weights but the fishing was so hot I didn’t get a chance. Especially when you run planer boards because you end up with over 300 feet to reel in after you run your release out another 40-50 foot out on the board line. That’s a lot of cranking when you have a big one on. I’m going to have to get snaps on those heavier weights. Lol

[sherman51]

It’s the other way around. Let 50’ out and attach your snap weight. Then let out 150 feet more for 200 total or 200 out for 250 total. We were running between 240-275 total today with 3oz snap weights. Rule of thumb is about 11 foot difference in depth per ounce of weight at around 2mph trolling speed.

thanks for correcting me, I had it arse backwards.

[badboards]

Thanks for clearing that up. I was catching fish with 175 total out with the 3 once weight. Will these fish stay in that area for a while. I know they will move back west when the water cools. Would like to get one more trip there before fall.

[DW72]

They aren't moving for quite some time IMO. Will post today's results now....