Ashtabula 8/24

[DW72]

So basically by the time I get out 25 miles offshore NNW I imagine I am close to straight North of Geneva.

I want to launch there and will soon, I just didn't want to leave fish to find fish.

Today was great. Damn hot when that wind died but was worth it. I didn't launch until after 9:30. Lines started to go in about 10:15. Started in 75-76 FOW. Fished east along the line and they were hammering. Got a 2 man limit in a touch over two hours. Played around and caught 20+ more and released just hoping for a big one for a picture. I have nothing better to do and don't wanna sit in the hotel. Didn't get any big ones today but lots of nice eaters.

I went with all 5 oz snaps today and I think that made a difference. Caught them at 50/150 to 50/190. I tried longer leads to see how far I could push it but that didn't help. I assume they flatten out after 200? 230 and 250 didn't drag bottom but also didn't do anything. Marked tons of fish within 5-10 feet from bottom.

All colors caught but I did lean towards Bandits that had colors and chrome mixed in the same baits today. Tell ya though...that damn Halloween is good....lol. It seems really versatile in all colors of water.
The water is very clear out there and it sure works in stained water too.

2.0 was too slow. As soon as I pushed 2.3-2.5 the rods fired immediately. Looking at the bait on the surface 2.0 mph it was barely wobbling.

I'm still learning something each and every trip and loving it. That's all I got.

I hope to get out one more time this season. Love this! Pheasant and deer hunting coming soon.

Safe and prosperous fishing Gents!

[Tuna Chaser]

Nice report DW! My last time out was 2 weeks ago, Geneva, 72 to 76 FOW. The fish were from 55 to 65 feet down. I busted out some old salt water bass sinkers I had ... 6 ounce and snapped those on. 50/135 and it was game on once I bump up my speed 2.5 to 3 mph.
Some say that heavy weights affect the way the crankbait runs. I don't know. I've never used anything heavier than 4oz in the past, and was experimenting with these 6oz and they worked. 😉 Several years ago I found a weight/depth chart that covers snap on weights all the way up to 6oz, but does not account for speed, but it gave me enough confidence to try those 6oz.

[Budman118]

I agree pfk. Our best fish were between 02 and 04 Friday. Then we ran out of em and made the turn. Finished our limit and threw the 5 more we had on back. It’s a beautiful thing when they are crushing baits! DW have you ever tried Northeast marina in PA? Its a couple miles before the New York line. 3 miles out and you’re in 100FOW. Great lake trout and walleye fishing out there. I’m talking 15+ pound lake trout and up! Good walleye fishing closer to shore too and alot shorter runs. It drops off pretty quick to deeper water

[nickpaolini81]

I do not understand the lingo "02 and 04". I assume it's a form of nautical marking.....anyone have a "Trolling for Walleye in Lake Erie and understanding forum terminology for Dummies?" or simple explanation?

[DW72]

I have not but will keep Northeast in mind too. Thanks!

[Squatch]

Great report DW. I'm headed out there 2nd week of September. I will probably launch out of Geneva because that's where I'm staying. Taking my brother and my dad...hoping to do well. Got some 5oz weights so hopefully I can follow your technique and catch some. Good job and thanks for the report!

[Budman118]

Good job! Hopefully the weather will cooperate Friday so I can head up again. Good info. When the bite is hot it seems like they will hit anything. A couple times I wanted to change colors only to find I had one on and was swimming along with no fight. So I reeled it in and put the same one back out. Lol. High heat this week will keep the bite going out deep.

[Budman118]

Nick go into your settings on your chart(lake map) and activate your gps grid lines. When you look at the horizontal lines you will see numbers. When we are talking about 02 line we mean 4202 horizontal line. That’s 42 degrees 02 North is the grid line number. Your lines running up and down are you’re westerly heading. We aren’t talking about those. So say the marina is 4150 line(not sure what line actually), you would have to run North to the grid line that’s says 4202. That would be approximately 12 nautical miles and 13.75 regular land miles. So if you would set a waypoint out there to take you back there to fish, it gives you both numbers(North and West) to take you back to that spot. It’s like a big piece of graph paper. These numbers are pretty specific to the area of Geneva and Ashtabula. They may be too shallow for Walnut Creek, PA or too far out for Cleveland or Huron. I’m by no means a pro at this so if someone else has a better explanation of this, please chime in. Hope this helps.

[nickpaolini81]

Ahhhh. I see now. so you were picking up the fish between 42.02 N through 42.04 N.

[DW72]

Thanks guys. Yeah I want to do Geneva too. From my Navionics App it looks like you can hit deep water a lot closer...may e 10-12 miles out? 20-25 seems overkill but I had to to get to 73-75 FOW. The lake was calm and my little 4 cylinder is good on gas so 🤷🏼*♀️.

Tight lines Fellas. I don't see this bite changing for another month or more personally. Surface temp was almost 75 degrees.