Draggin' the Line, Across the Line

Was able to get out fishing this morning, Friday,with John.The forecast called for west winds in the mid to upper teens.When got up this morning looked good enough to head out fishing.We figured that it would be best to find some fish we could catch that had some protection from the higher wind forecast for late morning.We first headed to the east side of middle bass,saw some marks and set out the rods.Caught a couple of junk fish so headed north just over the Canadian line.John had gotten his Canadian license earlier in the week so we were ready to try those waters.We headed east, downwind, toward the south side of Pelee.Picked up one 19" fish.But the waves were building.Suggested that we might get some protection on the east side of Pelee and maybe find some fish.Found some good marks in some deeper water off the reefs and set the lines out.Headed east,downwind and started catching some big fish.Was able to catch 11 fish in the next couple hours for our limit.Caught our fish with two dipsies on a 3 setting at 45 and 50 pulling a green and a pink spoon harness.Also had 4 inline boards out with worm harnesses using #2 tadpoles with purple/pink willow blades.Ran them at 80 and 70 leads and speed around 2.1-2.3mph.Took us over 2hrs to get back to John's Marina and was a slow bumpy ride.Our fish weighed 47lbs at cleaners.Biggest was a 28" fish that weighed 8#s.

Thanks Bob. That is some very useful information.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by itsbob

Was able to get out fishing this morning, Friday,with John.The forecast called for west winds in the mid to upper teens.When got up this morning looked good enough to head out fishing.We figured that it would be best to find some fish we could catch that had some protection from the higher wind forecast for late morning.We first headed to the east side of middle bass,saw some marks and set out the rods.Caught a couple of junk fish so headed north just over the Canadian line.John had gotten his Canadian license earlier in the week so we were ready to try those waters.We headed east, downwind, toward the south side of Pelee.Picked up one 19" fish.But the waves were building.Suggested that we might get some protection on the east side of Pelee and maybe find some fish.Found some good marks in some deeper water off the reefs and set the lines out.Headed east,downwind and started catching some big fish.Was able to catch 11 fish in the next couple hours for our limit.Caught our fish with two dipsies on a 3 setting at 45 and 50 pulling a green and a pink spoon harness.Also had 4 inline boards out with worm harnesses using #2 tadpoles with purple/pink willow blades.Ran them at 80 and 70 leads and speed around 2.1-2.3mph.Took us over 2hrs to get back to John's Marina and was a slow bumpy ride.Our fish weighed 47lbs at cleaners.Biggest was a 28" fish that weighed 8#s.

---

Thanks for your report. That is a great area. I used to fish that area often from the CAN side. We would drive over and launch from Leamington. The West side can be good too, but the fish are usually bigger on the East side. Chickenole Reef and the Heli-pad are two areas that have consistently produced, along with the basin area just to the East.

We wanted to start fishing by Chickinole but was still too rough there with the west wind.We went up to next reef complex,Mill point and had some lee there.It was our first trip across the border in 3yrs due to covid closing the border.I did remember the no alcohol restrictions in Canadian waters.Told John no beer drinking while up there and no empty cans in trash.But i completely forgot about the rods per person in Ontario is still 2 rods per person.We changed to 3 rods,i think 3 yrs ago.I started thinking about it a couple days later and googled it up.So if anybody planning to fish canadian waters make sure about number of rods and no alcohol.