Draggin' the Line with John

[itsbob]

Finally was able to get out fishing first time this season on Friday.John is not a fan of the cold so wanted to start later than our normal first light start time.Took off from the CIC and headed north and started off west of rattlesnake.Got lines in water at 830 and had a slow start and not many marks.Started with all bandits with one side 25,35,45 other 100,80,65.Got a few fish early in 45 but as sun got higher we switched everything to 75-100.Took us 6hrs to get our fish,going 12 for 15.The lures we used were blue chrome,RC crush,clown,chrome Marvin and Humble Bee.Nice grade of fish that weighed 48lbs at cleaners.

[DW72]

The fish sure are impressive for average size this year! Nice work and thanks for the post and info.

[itsbob]

Think most of the bigger fish caught this spring came from the 2015 hatch.They have dominated the catch the past 5yrs.Really an impressive fishery we have here on Erie.Our biggest Friday was 27".I keep a journal and the fish we caught in 2021 averaged 3lbs.

[penalty box]

the 2014 hatch was about the same as the 15 hatch both were good

[itsbob]

Looked up that 2014 hatch just now and the index was a 20 compared to a 60 for 2015.So 2015 was' according to ODNR 3 times that 2014 hatch. I personally think they undercounted that 2015 hatch based on the number of fish that were caught after that hatch. I remember pooh bear telling me in spring 2017 of him catching over 300 shorts in a day to get to 36 keepers. In 2018 those fish were 15-18" thin aggressive fish.People were bragging about using any lure to catch them and finishing in an hour or less.As those bigger fish move east we should still have great fishing with the huge 2018 and 2019 hatch.Should be great fishing for years to come.

[DW72]

More great info, thanks Bob! We used to ice fish out there regularly many years ago but I'm fairly new to it with my boat. Incredibly exciting fishery indeed. Keeps me up at night!