seeking advice

[hammerin11]

I have a small 14 foot boat and I live in Norwalk, my first year with any kind of boat, Can anybody tell me exactly where I should put in at and where to go? Sorry, I'm a beginner, any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks,
hammerin11

[West Basin]

Hammerin11,

A 14' boat is way too small to be fishing Lake Erie, at least out in the open waters.

However, IF the weather (wind & waves) is nice and going to stay that way ALL DAY, and you are an experienced boater, you can get out into walleye April through mid-May close to shore (one mile out or less) around the reefs and shallower near-shore waters off the Davis Besse Power station west of Port Clinton. Many public and private launch sites off Route 2 along this stretch of the Lake.

After that, the only SOMEWHAT SAFE places ON CALM DAYS will be around the Islands (launch from the island) through late July when walleye schools are present, or near shore from Sandusky east to Cleveland. I've caught limits of walleye in July within 200 yards of shore around the islands.

Your biggest issue on calm days with that small a boat is boat wakes, especially on the weekend. Personally, I wouldn't go out on the open waters of Lake Erie in a 14' boat on a weekend, unless I was in an area very close to shore and at a time when few boats are traveling.

Best advice is to find somebody with a bigger boat and hitch a ride.

West Basin

[hammerin11]

Hey, thanks for honesty, Like I said.., I'm just a beginner and that is what I was hoping to hear is somewhere that you don't have to go out too far, just like you were saying! Maybe just the name of a ramp that you can go out a little ways and catch a few walleye,
Thanks,
Gary

[spoontang]

You can try Mazurrick (not sure of that spelling) near Lakeside and fish near shore and catch a few eyes this time of year. Just don't wander off too far and remember, the water temp is what would get you in trouble if there was a problem. Pick your days and have a way to communicate with others..........Good luck

[hammerin11]

Thank you very much, not lookin to get hurt, just want to catch a few fish, safely..,My brother and I took it out at cranberry creek marina but we didn't see another boat anywhere! Must not be a good time of year at that spot.
Thanks again,
Gary

[Jason Ferrick]

GARY I am not going to BS you 14' is small for erie I run a 24' cuddy and it gets nasty out there you go out lake is like glass 20 min to get out 2hrs to get back all of these guys are trying to look out for you they know most of them have been there the fish are hitting your not ready to leave then bam a slap in the face when you go to return .
if you are going to go out get a portable BILDGE PUMP and a Charged Battery YOUWILL NEED IT.

I can bet that this will not change your mind so I will give you a few spots to try .

west wind-stright out of point marble head there is a long drawn point come in shallow and drift out jig and shinners or crawler harneses. good spot in the spring.

south wind -north end of catawba island called scott's point all around this point is also pretty good try just west of mouse island it is rocky done good there in the past only a 150 - 200 yards out start there and all around this point quick dropoffs gradual drops what ever you are looking for .

if it is a nice day you can try to troll from catawba island scott's point to the south west side of south bass island then around the south side of south bass island to the south east side of south bass island and back catawba but on your return trip try 1/2 mile east of catawba you will go over a few reefs
starve reef,and scott point shoal the trip out and back trolling will take a couple hours watch the weather ,wind and wind changes

also if you have problems with your motor dont start, hard to start , stalls out
or what ever dont take it on erie I'm on a water rescue team and I like to keep it that way Rescue not Recovery please think use your head if you have any dought stay on shore thanks

GOOD LUCK !

BURNIN DAYLIGHT- Conneaut, Ohio

[justafew]

Go right out of Vermillon, 28-35 fow troll west.

[hammerin11]

By the way "West Basin",
I was looking for advice for the equiptment that I have, just like you said.., not too far from shore and on a calm day. I just wanted some suggestions on the names of boat ramps where you can catch walleye without going too far out and that would be somewhat safe on "my" small boat, not to hitch a ride with a bigger boat, geez..., thanks anyhow!

[wmyer]

West Basin's advice was right for your question. A 14' boat, Lake Erie, first time boater, trying to fish is a recipe for disaster. He wasn't being disrespectful, just honest. Take your 14' boat to a small state park lake and learn the ropes there.

[hammerin11]

ok, I understand that, I just thought that maybe there was somewhere that you don't have to go far, believe me, I'm listening to the advice!