Planning mid August trip with family, would like help

First, I would like to say hello to everyone here. I have been following this board for a couple of months as a guest and I will say it is the only one I have saved to my favorites on my computer(even at work). You all are great, it is wonderful seeing how you all work together as a team and are willing to share info so easily. That is why I joined.

So now, like many others here have done, I am asking for your professional recommendations. I am planning a trip to the big lake Aug 8-12 with my wife and young son. I have only been on the lake once ever several years ago on a charter. We have a 17 1/2' Alumacraft Navigator Sport with a 115 and a 9.9 kicker. I am a bit concerned about it being too small but have been on other large inland waters for years, just not the great lakes. What wind directions are best for the lake and our boat size for venturing out to where everyone is catching the walleye? Do you advise us to go that far out or stay closer in? For help, if needed, do most of you run on ch 79? I have been watching the reports and followed what is working for spoons/harnesses. Will these same presentations be working in August? What is the general migrational pattern for the walleye on Erie?

Any help from any of you would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

The weather this year has not been reliable. The weather man says 1-2 fters and its 3-5 when you ge there. In a small boat like that it could ruin your trip. I would have a back up plan if you cant get out or stay in the rivers and inlets. Get a couple charter numbers like eyehunter, if he has cancelation you can maybe walk on. I myself would not got out with wife and child in 17 ft. boat very far unless your going to perch fish close. If a thundersorm poped up and you were not paying attn. erie could eat you up.Im sure all of us on here has got a aw-**** story from bieng on lake in bad conditions. Make sure you have a 2 way vhf radio

First of all you are not saying were you are staying and what port you are going out of, second of all your boat is fine for 4 footer or less, but you need to remenber the storms, let us know more information and skipper 9 who works the islands east
will be glad to help you, or us reel sport we work the reefs
west area. We need to know if your set up to troll, want to perch etc. Wayne Reel Sport team 419 265 2736

If your fishing east of the bass islands call me before you arrive. .. just not friday afternoon's. .. any other time ok... 614.327.7144. I put you on fish if I can....

Thank you all. We are staying near Port Clinton and we will be putting in at Catawba Island SP. We have a VHF radio installed and will keep in touch while on the water. Skipper9 & Wayne Johnson, if weather is not suitable for our rig I will call you and see if you have any walk-ons available. We have set the boat up for trolling and would prefer this method for walleye. We have set up to run 2- 8' Cabelas Depthmaster combos off of sides and 2- 6' rods off back corners. We are set up with planers, Deeper Divers (several sizes), and TT 40's. We do not have any downriggers or lead core line. We will be running braid on the Depthmasters and mono on the other two. We are coming prepared with an assortment of cranks, spoons, and worm harnesses. For perch, I picked up some spreader rigs of various configurations the last time I was on Erie with a charter. Skipper9 & Wayne Johnson, I will call you a couple of days before we come up from Central Illinois and see what the conditions are like. Thank you for your help.

Telling someone who has a 17.5 footer that he will be ok in waves to 4feet ??? Really ???? You just posted that Sat. you guys had 4 ft waves and it was very rough and you couldnt make it past the 5 miles you were out and you fish out of a 30ft Sportcraft but a 17.5 footer will do the same?? .. Simply amazing to tell someone that . Seems you dont know the lake that well Wayne as you have had a few close calls this year with weather related decisions as you have posted them.

LAke Erie is and can get very nasty real quick as us locals know . Giving info like you just did can cause someone to get in trouble and even die on Erie as she is unforgivable many times a year to inexperienced boaters.

Good Fishing

Non Pack Hunter !!!


PS . Make sure you pick a safe charter if you need one . If the bite is 15 miles out and he cant make that run to the fish being its so rough , he should cancel the trip and not just take you 5 miles out to fish as then its just for the money period.


PSS here is a good thread started on another fourm with a guy with a 17footer . Lots of GOOD advice there ..


http://www.ohiogamefishing.com/commu...d.php?t=236985

Thank you FishHead315!

I was wondering about the wave height also. I have had the boat in 4 footers (total from trough to top) because we got caught in them. Did not like the experience. I feel better in 2ft or less. But there is a big difference from big water rollers and small water waves. Away from shore are the waves more of a rolling action or small and choppy waves? If so, how far out does one need to go to get away from the choppy waves? Just asking.
I took a look at the other forum and it was informative. I also like the idea of not being a pack fisherman. The best part of being on the water is the solitude, not the battle of the boats. We will keep track of the weather and go from there.

Heh... another link to OGF from fishhead... :rolleyes:

I know a few people that take their 18ft boats out in 4's on a fairly regular basis. BUT these people each have 20+ years of experience on Lake Erie.

Let me make it clear, I would not condone anyone intentionally taking an 18ft boat out in 4ft waves if they are not well experienced on the big lake and feel completely comfortable doing so.

Wave period and steepness make a huge difference in what 4ft waves look and feel like. I was out in 4-6ft'ers in a 18ft fish-n-ski a few years back. We anchored 6 miles out when the storm rolled in. With 150ft of anchor line out, the bow rolled right up and over each wave and smoothly through the troughs. The waves were mostly 5's and 6's, but rollers.

The other problem is that 4ft'ers can easily become 6ft+ in a blink of an eye.

My opinion; ideally you will be looking for (like you said) waves of 2ft or less. If you feel like "pushing it" 1-3ft would be the top mark (and not going very far out). Now keep in mind, a LOT of times I have gone out on a 1-3's forecast and found it to be almost flat out and a few times have found it to be bigger than 1-3's.

With your size of boat and experience level, maybe consider fishing around the islands area. The islands area can offer some great fishing in the summertime if you hook up with the right people. You would then have the safety of the islands for wind/wave blocking if need be or in case of an emergency you can beach onto one. From Kelley's Island it isn't that far to the deeper water where you could potentially find some walleye during the hot months on a calm day.

Be very flexible with your plans. Have a plan of where you want to go out of and out to that day, but be willing to change once you see the lake. Change could be changing where you're going to fish or it could be cancelling the fishing day at the last minute.

to fishhead concerning boat size I started out in lake in 16 ft mirco craft and fish in everything lake has to offer, been on lake
for over fifty years and been in every thing it has to offer, as of last sat. We had clients that were sick and stop short because
of a school of fish, but they want to stay out, so we didn't want to go any farther out, as for safety of our crew as anyone that has been on our boat safety is first and have cancel maney trips for that reason, as for knowing the lake I think we have maney more hours than alot of people have. A 17 ft boat is fine
as long as you take you time and be safe about it.

Wayne, I think you have enough years on the lake to offer your opinion. Don't bother explaining your position to anyone who is as rude as f...head315. He sounds like he knows everything........except how to communicate in a friendly manner. Maybe that's how they do it on OGF.

Just because we do things , we should tell others that its ok ???

I like you grew up on the lake and would have to say , being over 60 I may even have a few years on you there . Back in the day , it was not common to make the long runs that are made today during the summer months . I to have fished Erie in boats as small as 14 feet .

There is a big difference from someone coming from out of the area and the locals . The locals have more experience on Erie and that makes a HUGE difference . I for one take safety very serious . Lake Erie is very unforgiving if you are not use to her and she will bite you . Is Erie fishable in a 17 footer ?? Of course it is on certain days..

As far as opinions we all know the saying !!!

B can man knows OGF

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Originally Posted by Eyezcrazy

Wayne, I think you have enough years on the lake to offer your opinion. Don't bother explaining your position to anyone who is as rude as f...head315. He sounds like he knows everything........except how to communicate in a friendly manner. Maybe that's how they do it on OGF.

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My personal experience is that it would be difficult at best to fish from a boat of 18 ft. in steady 3 foot waves, even rollers would make it difficult to move around in the boat or even stand to fish, check baits, set lines or change positions in the boat.

Safety comes first! So watch the weather reports about predicted storms and what time they are expected to move into the general area of the lake. NOAA is almost useless for this purpose!!!! Late afternoon comes to mind as the time of day they most frequently occur predicted or not. Second always keep an eye on the sky, checking frequently for ominous clouds, by always I mean all day long. It can become extremely calm a few minuets to an hour before a storm hits. Your direction of travel from the launch should also be considered, as most storms come from the west to southwest so heading west in the morning will buy you a little more time to get back to safe harbor if a storm approaches, going east will shorten the time that you have to make safe harbor presuming the storms are coming in from the West or southwest. Keeping the previous statements in mind I understand that you have to go were the fish are so use vigilant observation to determine when to start in if a storm should appear on the horizon! For me that means immediately! In the end it is still your call to make so be careful and have fun!!

I would like to thank the posters who have put their own experience's in the following 2 links from this site into writing and put those experience's out there on this site for those with lesser knowledge to learn from. It says a lot about those posters integrity and honesty.

http://community.walleye.com/showthread.php?t=6825

http://community.walleye.com/showthread.php?t=6619

This should serve as a warning to everyone and especially those new to the lake that calm seas can become treacherous seas in the matter of minuets. Take note of the size of the boats that are involved in these situations! How do you think a boat of lesser size or a less experienced crew or both would have come out? Boat size can makeup for some lack of experience in these situations but it is still not pleasant.

Disclaimer!
If I have offended anyone with my post so be it! I could not recommend to anyone that it would be safe let alone fun in an 18 ft. boat in steady 4 ft. seas. That type of situation would require several years of experience just to navigate safely as there are always those rouge and unpredictable waves in those conditions.

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Originally Posted by fishhead315

B can man knows OGF

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You are correct, I do. But, it is never a good idea to link to a competing website on anyone elses. AND, if you check my profile over there you will see that my activity is very little over there. Why? Because there is a lot of BS over there that I prefer not to deal with.

That said, being a vigilant fisherman means checking all resources. As far as the trust meter with information received; I trust the information that I get here far more than that other site.

I have found ReelTime, WayneJohnson, Skipper9, Black Pearl, Waterdog, Wakina, and many others to be more helpful than others on any other site. These fellas embody the spirit of Lake Erie fishermen from years past.

You seem to know a bit about Erie, just work on your presentation a bit. (Forums are kind of like fishing, presentation can be the key)

I have a 16' boat and have gone out as far to the line north of Gull Shoal from Catawba. Yes, I've been caught in a storm and believe me, it's no fun. I do not intentionally go out in waves over 2 ft., and I keep a real close eye on the weather and listen to the marine radio as well. I take off as soon as I see or hear anything indicating rougher water. I wouldn't take children if there's a possibility of bad weather. One other thing that helps is I have a depthfinder with nav chart so I can tell exactly where I am in relation to reefs or shallow water, as well as plotting a direct course back. I found out early a small mistake in direction on a slow boat on the big lake can cost you a lot of extra time to get in off the water, especially in a storm when visibility is not so good and every minute is more waves crashing over the bow.

I guess we disagree about OGF . I find that site is much more friendly to the new members. Lots of help there without having to be approved by other members on there .

Being here for years compared to be new means nothing as lots of guys BS being either an old member or new . I for one have no problems letting other fishermen know about other sites that can help them catch more fish . This is a report board and almost half of the post are looking for walk on customers for charters. In my opinion a Report page is just that , for reports ... Anytime anyone asks about fishing in their own boat a charter or two jump in with their post come with us we will show you weather they asked for a charter or not . Look at the post about night fishing , None of the charters here seem to do them but one guy jumps in with their add, fish with us in the evening .. Evening is not night time fishing at all ..

Like I said in a post before , I advertised here for 7 years and was a member for longer then that under a different name .Just because I am here under a new name does not make me more or less creditable then anyone else on here ..

Seems to me some guys think this is their site and it makes me laugh .There are many many guys here that are on OGF as well . Heck one charter captain from here even goes on there and post with his business name on there trying to get customers . Even though there are paying charter companies advertising there . Is that right ??? I read lots of post that has links to other pages on here yet thats not a problem until I post a link to help someone out .

Most Charter guys are very ethical and their business is respected for that . Reputable charters dont have to beg for business as there name speaks for it all so they get booked ahead of time . I laugh everytime I see "had a last minute cancellation " Chartering in my 7 years I had two cancellations to a death in the family of my clients. Amazing how some have a cancellation almost every week .

as far I a 17.5 foot boat , seems like most of you agree with me on the safety issue yet are mad at me for speaking out . I have the right to voice my opinion as well as anyone . Hopefully my advice will save a life and not put peoples lives in jepordy because someone here tells them its not a problem at all ..

Good fishing

Non Pack Hunter !!!

PS Will see many of you over on OGF !!!

As I was growing up I can remember my Grandfather always saying there is more boats on the bottom of the lake than the top. With that being said whatever choice you make be careful.

Once again wakina , you are funny .. You know it all ... As far as the "wrath" coming down on me , I could care less what people think of me that dont know me . . You guys have your click here so good for you ... When you see Rod tell him I said hi . He is one heck of a guy and a good fisherman as I have fished with him . Same goes for Kagee and Het also great guys .

As far as "high Jacking" a members thread, I believe I answered his question is an safe matter . Take a look again , you and your posse hi jacked the members thread ..

I see why some of you avoid OGF . You are just another member there and have no one to stroke your ego so you stay away . Smart move by you as no it alls dont last long there . Seems to me you like sites where you think you are important and are a go to guy . To me however , you are no different them any other member here , new or old .

For you new guys here . Visit OGF and registar and you will find friends and the help that lots of sites lack . Non boat owners, the same thing . Members there post when they have an open seat and will take you fishing with them and no these are not charter captains that do that , just fishermen like you and I .

As far as being caught in the storm you posted , I was at the safety of the dock when it hit being my friends know when Im out and we look out for one another .I had 3 different calls that day about the approaching storms. We didnt headout an hour before the storms hit. Safety is first for me and whenever I headout I have eyes on shore that warns of approaching storms just as I do for them . SAFETY FIRST PERIOD !!!

On the subject of posting on a site as a business that you do not advertise on but other pay to do so , well that just shows what kind of business you are running that you believe it is ok to do that ..Go search Hockey on OGF and surprise you will see his kids name , number , and name of the business at the end of the post ..Would you go to a Sport Show that vendors pay to be there and stand next to his booth ans pass your info out ??? Same difference ..

and last but not least , if others can post non reports in the report sections , why cant I ???

As far as the night fishing thread . It was plain and simple the OP wanted to night fish . Who jumped in and said , fish with us ???MONEY MONEY MONEY

Good fishing !!!

Non Pack Hunter !!!

All captains who run walk on on this site pay yearly dues. all of us give were we fish, lure size, speed depth and location, we take phone calls all hours of the night from fisherman just wanting to know where to fish even though they don't fish with
us, as far as evening we do run evening trips from 4.30 to 11.00 or 12 pm., we run 101 classes for the people that are having trouble trolling, Yes I do sent fishing tips on ogf, and leave our number if some one to call for advice, because there is very few western basin reports, all capt. on this site get thier boats inspect regular, pay commericial insurance, most belong to a charter assoc.. most carry more life saving device than needed, we all give out free lures to help any one who needs
some thing extra on thier boats, we all have private boats
follow us where every we go and we don't complain,
and for the money factor, anyone who in this trade knows
it takes 4 to 5 years just to break even, were not about the money were on this site to help the avg fisherman fill his cooler, remenber we are all fisherman first. thank you
wayne Reel Sport team.

If OGF is so great, then why did you come here trying to stir up drama? Is there not enough there to satisfy you?

This forum sure seems to get along just fine without you trolling for drama in every other thread.

These evil charters you speak of were the 3rd and 4th posters in this very thread. And what did they post? "Come fishing with us!?!"??? NOPE.
They gave the poster their phone numbers and said to call them anytime for fishing reports and advice. Wayne Johnson and Skipper9 are so money hungry, they are probably charging by the minute for giving out fishing info, right?

I can't speak for Wayne, never met him or been in contact with him, but he seems to have great rapport on this site. You seem to be the only one with a problem with him.

Skipper9 has answered probably hundreds of calls and texts from me alone. With as many times as he has posted his phone number here on the forum, offering people advice or help, I can't imagine his phone is ever quiet. That to me shows that he isn't money hungry. He's went out of his way to help me get fishing tackle, answered my questions on using that tackle, told me where he was fishing and what he was using, you name it.

Apology from me only!!

Sorry ILBowhuntr about the extra non informative replies I made in this thread, that is not what this site is about. I hope that you find the one reply I made in post #12 directly to your question useful.

wakina you make me laugh . To even compare the moderators from OGF to the one here is a good laugh . How long and how much bitching did it take to get the porn spam off of here a couple of months ago ???? To say I said OGF mods are no better is a flat out lie on your part as they take care of things swiftly and promptly ..

Ogf takes care of the problem real quick if it breaks forums rule . Once again ask your posse mate HOCKEY how long his last 2 post lasted on there .. Last I checked , The good old USA still had free speech so I can speak away ..

Go beat your chest now Super Wakina so you feel special !!!!

Good Fishing !!!

Non Pack Hunter !!!

I appreciate all of the helpful information from all of you (even fishhead). If you all look, each of you have offered me some good advice. Each of you have varying degrees of experience, but all of it is more than I have on the big lake. What time I have spent on this site I believe ALL of you have done a good job of providing useful info to all of us newbies. I ask all of you to remember that what Wakina said is true. This is a fishing report forum and I for one believe all of you have something to bring to the table. The way I see it is you all are out there wayyyyy more than me or many others, so any info you share is very welcome. Besides, if there was only a few of you posting here, us newbies would be missing out on many other tips on catching fish and those few would also have all of the fisherman following them around everywhere (maybe they do already, don't know). This way, us newbies have various options available to decide on what, when, and where to go each and every day. And believe me, that means a lot!
Thank you all and please get over the bickering and go fishing. Who knows, it might be that one guy you despise on here that may lead you to your next big bite! :)

Why cant we just go back to catching fish!!!!


Pack starter!!!!!

I was up in late June in a 17.5 foot crestliner that is owned by my uncle (toopugs4me) and we had an absolute positive experience... We fished out of Put in Bay all week. captnbrian, skipper9 and many others were very nice to help us with info and put us on some nice fish...we were first time trollers and caught a lot of fish!!!! I don't know what we would have done without help from the people on this site! I just hope this can stay a positive place that talks about our love to catch the marble eyes and the negativity goes away!!

I fish out of a 17.5' boat and run all over out there. I never leave the house when they are calling for more than 1-3. 2 to 4 and I don't go. I could fish in it, but I know I will need a mouth piece while driving around, so I don't loose any teeth and it takes too long to go 10 miles. I like to be able to hop around if necessary. Just monitor the weather iwindsurf.com and http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/zo...akes/clemz.htm. I have not been fishing in a month due to buying a new house and moving so I have nothing to offer as far as where to go, but have fun.

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Originally Posted by BossHogg

I fish out of a 17.5' boat and run all over out there. I never leave the house when they are calling for more than 1-3. 2 to 4 and I don't go. I could fish in it, but I know I will need a mouth piece while driving around, so I don't loose any teeth and it takes too long to go 10 miles. I like to be able to hop around if necessary. Just monitor the weather iwindsurf.com and http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/zo...akes/clemz.htm. I have not been fishing in a month due to buying a new house and moving so I have nothing to offer as far as where to go, but have fun.

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Grats on the new house! It is so much work moving. Hopefully you can get back out fishing soon.

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Originally Posted by B can man

Grats on the new house! It is so much work moving. Hopefully you can get back out fishing soon.

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Thanks. Now I have a 40 x 54 barn that has a 12' x 16' door. I can back anything in there you can legally pull down the road. Its time for a bigger boat:D

Just pay close attention to weather forecast , it can sneak up on you out there. I've seen it happen be 1 to 2 fters and NE wind blow and in 45 min be 8 fters very dangerous . You lose engine power in these conditions not good ,just watch weather closely I fish out of 24 ft boat and that don't seem like much of a craft on lots of days! Call Skipper 9 if your in doubt you'll have a good time and catch your fish!

I have been catching walleyes north of green island near northwest reef. This area is west of the bass islands, close to your launch site, and not hard to fish. Go north of green til you have 35' of water and set up. If a storm comes up, it is easy to make a dash for Put-In-Bay which will be east of you, and please,please,please get a life jacket on everyone if it gets rough. If you don't have one, get a chart/map of the western basin. If you want to give the kids a good time, set up just outside the launch area north of catawba and they will quickly catch sheephead of all sizes. My grandkids (6 & 10) wrestled 2 fish ohios in from this area.