Fishing with the Chapman's...6/20/2025

For anyone that has been following my reports for the past 14 years, you know the name Chapman. Steve was my very first customer, way back when, and Jeremy started coming along later that same year.

Since then, they bought themselves a Ranger, to do what I have trained them to do, but when Jeremy wants to take his boy along, he hires me, so he doesn't have to be in charge, and can concentrate on helping his boy learn to love fishing. :)

We had a later start, due to their drive up from Columbus (2 hour drive), and I met them in Huron. I was disappointed to see that the crews working on the repaving and repainting of parking lot lines, had not finished yet, had the place really restricted...making it hard to maneuver with a boat in tow. Hopefully, it's done soon. I won't be going back until it is.

The river was pure chocolate milk, and the current was super strong...with lots of debris floating around.

Anyway....

It was a beautiful morning to be on the water. The sky was clear, the waves were 1 foot or less, and the water temp was 68 degrees.

We got out to the Huron dump around 9AM, and set lines. Once again, the speed was set using the FishHawk for guidance, at 2.5mph, and the Vexus pointed to the north.

Dipsies were running on my usual program of a zero setting at 43 and 54, and the three settings at 65 and 71. BadMo, Yeck, and Scorpion spoons ran behind the dipsies....color didn't seem to matter. They were checked often for itty-bitties, for which they were plentiful.

Bandits ran behind Off Shore boards on the port side at 130 and 120 back (unassisted). Blue Chrome and Purple Mist did the job.

Flicker Minnow 11s ran on the starboard side at 97 and 57 back. Colors were Firetail Chrome Candy, and Slick Purple Bengal.

We only ran two on each side to keep it simple, since we were entertaining a 6 year old, and didn't need more chaos than we were already dealing with. The bite was non-stop, and we were busy, busy, busy, so Luke was never bored! He did a great job reeling, as his Dad held the rod for him. We all caught our limits, and ended with a 4-person limit in 4 hours, and headed back in.

They wanted their fish cleaned at Port Clinton Fish, Co, so they met me there. It took forever to get back, thanks to road construction on RT2, and added an extra 1/2 hour to the normally 20 minute drive....ugh. I'm sure my dogs were wondering where I was, because they needed to be fed, and when I got home it was very dramatic....needless to say, they were very happy to see me. lol

Jeremy had sent me a text on their way home to say how much fun they all had, and that Luke couldn't stop talking about how he caught the biggest fish, and said that he wanted to be his Dad's fishing partner, and that made Jeremy very happy...which makes me very happy! :)

I'm scheduled for the entire week, starting Sunday, so hopefully Mother Nature doesn't cook us too bad with the heat and humidity that is forecast. Stay cool, everyone!

Stay tuned....

Capt Juls