Western Basin Areas

[stlouisloui]

Hi: Spent last summer fishing from a marina in West Harbor (Marblehead). This was my first season with my own boat (Sportcraft 27'). I had decent luck with walleye and pretty good luck with perch. I am considering moving west to Meinke's. I do not have a boat trailer, so I'll most likely fish the whole season from one spot. Meinke's is much less expensive than where I am at Marblehead which is a draw. But, it is further from home base which is the west side of Cleveland. What are the benefits/drawbacks from fishing the far west western basin vs. the islands area? I's love your input. Thanks.

[dirtball]

Hi: Spent last summer fishing from a marina in West Harbor (Marblehead). This was my first season with my own boat (Sportcraft 27'). I had decent luck with walleye and pretty good luck with perch. I am considering moving west to Meinke's. I do not have a boat trailer, so I'll most likely fish the whole season from one spot. Meinke's is much less expensive than where I am at Marblehead which is a draw. But, it is further from home base which is the west side of Cleveland. What are the benefits/drawbacks from fishing the far west western basin vs. the islands area? I's love your input. Thanks.

I have been fishing the western basin for 30 years. I am docked at turtle creek which is east of Meinke's. The fishing is a lot better here. We also have some docks open for 27 footers

[troy1976]

second everything that matt said...Just hope new owners are as nice as the Browns were...lol i moved from meinke west to channel grove three years ago. It added 20 minutes to my drive but the fishing and people have been well worth it. At MM people were ok, but charter captains were very tight lipped about any information as well as the two local bait shops. The marina owners were cordial. The fishing was good early april adn may. Perch fishing was ok, good numbers but average quality. by july I was driving the boat 12 miles minimum one way most days to find walleyes.
Since the move to channel grove i've received more help from the bait stores and charter captains than I can process. I can also say that even though I pay more for the slip, I feel as though I've made the extra money up in fuel savings as I'm guessing that my average miles driven to find fish is now around 6. The fishing around the islands is consistent all season long plus there is good fishing in the harbor as well. Good luck in your decision!

troy

[Capt Eric]

West Harbor has got to be about the best all season home base in the western basin. We travel a little west in early spring, and by mid summer we're travelling a little east to catch fish. And the perch fishing around the islands last year was the best we've ever seen. Marinas in West Harbor might be a little more expensive, but they are also a hell of a lot nicer than most other areas. Why would you want to leave?

[West Basin]

Port Clinton is the center of the Ohio shore of the Western Basin year around fishing, from West Sister to the east side of Kelleys Island. However, Catawba Island (West Harbor) is farther north, so the distance or time to say Niagara Reef is about the same. Overall Catawba Island is arguably the best location. Western locations are more fishing related. Port Clinton east has more non-fishing boat recreation (and traffic). Marinas reflect these uses and clientele.

Generally speaking, if you do a lot of April and early May fishing and pretty much quit by August, and 90% of what you do is fish, and you rarely stay overnight, then docking over west around Locust Point (Davis Besse) is an advantage. If you fish all season and do other boating activities like island hopping, swimming, etc. then being closer to the islands is better (Catawba). List your activities by priority and time. Then match those to the location best suited for all of them.

[captain tacky]

I am and have been docked at Meinke West for 30 years, never had a problem filling the freezer, Maumee Bay, the Reefs , West sister Island are a short distance for Walleye , The channel all the way out to the Turnaround Bouy is great for Perch, or if you prefer to head east the cans A,B.C, etc are also within reason . It is a family owned and run Marina they are great and will help you in any way.
There are about 50 Charter boats in the Marina also and they would not be there if the fishing was not good.
My dock is $675 just paid it for coming season, I have Electric and Water at my Dock

[stlouisloui]

All great posts! Thank you to all. I have decided on Channel Grove. We will run to the reef complex for the early season for sure. But, with everything else considered, I think I'll be in the right spot. I'll be in the ugliest 27' Sportcraft on the lake named "The Jeffries". Let me know if anyone needs anything from the St. Louis, MO area, as I will be up often.

[Capt Eric]

Can you bring some of the best BBQ sauce St. Louis has to offer?? That'd be great!

All great posts! Thank you to all. I have decided on Channel Grove. We will run to the reef complex for the early season for sure. But, with everything else considered, I think I'll be in the right spot. I'll be in the ugliest 27' Sportcraft on the lake named "The Jeffries". Let me know if anyone needs anything from the St. Louis, MO area, as I will be up often.

[PZeiler]

I to dock at Meinke's West. Been there almost as long as Capt Tacky. Everything he says is true. I like that there is also a lot less traffic during the weekends.

[Prkr314]

Loui, If you bring your boat west primarily for fishing, I can't think of anywhere better for fishing to be other than WildWings or one of the marinas in Turtle Creek. Early season trolling in Feb. is when you'll have your best chance of catching the biggest walleye of your life on the reefs, jigging less than a mile from the marina entrance in Mar. April is when everybody is catching all those 11+ pound 32" wallhangers in front of Davis-Bessie. May drifting and casting weapons in front of Crane Creek is going to be crazy with 16+17" walleye this year.....and nobody talks about how stupid the night trolling is all the way threw until the mayflies hatch! By the time the bite gets tough in July, you should be tired of catching walleye. I think the only drawback is a good showerhouse if you want to spend the weekend on your boat, everything else is here gas, bait, fish cleaning and food.